AgForce Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elected Representatives

General President: Shane McCarthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity Presidents:

Cattle: Lloyd Hick

Lloyd Hick is a fourth-generation cattle producer from Northwest Queensland.  Lloyd owns and manages Bezuma Pastoral Company Pty. Ltd. along with his wife, Wendy, and two sons. Bezuma Pastoral Company operates across Queensland and the Northern Territory with the beef grazing business involved in breeding, backgrounding, live export, feed lotting and domestic market sales. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheep & Wool: Boyd Webb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grains: Brendan Taylor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cane: Chris Punzell

With a background in Mackay cane farming, I returned to the family farm 15 years ago and now provide contract mechanical services to the local sugar industry. After high school, I completed a trade certificate as a Fitter & Turner with Mackay Sugar and then spent 20 years as a Service Coordinator with SunWater. In this role, I managed the operations and maintenance of channel water delivery systems, including the Eungella, Teemburra, Kinchant, and Peter Faust Dams within the Eton and Burdekin Irrigation Schemes. I also contributed to Mackay Sugar as a shift fitter, supporting essential industry operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers Board Independent Board Director: Christine Hayward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Directors:

North: Michael Penna

Michael is a third-generation farmer in Australia with thirty plus years’ experience in agriculture with mixed cropping. Michael has been involved as an industry representative on numerous agriculture boards including Ausveg and Queensland Crisping Growers. Recently purchasing a cane farm in the Herbert district, Michael is eager to represent and support members to enhance the cane industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central: John Baker

For the past eight years, I’ve served as the CQ Regional President and Director on the AgForce Board, where I advocate for CQ beef producers and landholders. My family and I operate a beef breeding and finishing business in the Middlemount District. Throughout my tenure, I’ve participated in AgForce committees on finance, risk, transport, and reef health, representing CQ members at meetings on rent reviews, vegetation management, and road train access to abattoirs. I remain focused on ensuring AgForce keeps pace with evolving issues such as renewable energy expansion, biosecurity, and government regulations. If re-elected, I’ll continue championing CQ’s needs and expanding our membership base.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South East: Belinda Callanan

My family and I run a cattle breeding and backgrounding operation on our property west of Nobby, supplying feedlots and local saleyards. Since joining AgForce in 2000, I have actively contributed to the organization, including serving as Chair of the AgForce Queensland Biosecurity Committee and as an AgForce South-East Regional Councillor. I previously held the role of AgForce South-East Queensland President (2020–2022), where I led membership growth by 450 members and worked with the Regional Director to bring our region’s concerns to the Board. With qualifications in Agribusiness, Conservation, Agriculture, and Training, I am also the Founder and Director of TH9 Outdoor Services, a biosecurity consultancy supporting various sectors. My industry dedication extends to roles on national and state committees, where I advocate on issues from CSG subsidence and drought relief to biosecurity threats and infrastructure needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southern Inland: Janet Reddan

Janet Reddan, a cattle producer from Roma is a hands-on, experienced business owner with a broad understanding of the local challenges facing agriculture. A past member of the Cattle board, she is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and comes with general board and advisory committee experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South West: Louise Martin

Louise Martin is a dedicated SW Queensland resident, living with her husband Andrew on a sheep and cattle property near Tambo. Originally from a cattle property near Augathella, Louise has a rich background in agriculture, working both locally and abroad, including five years as a polo groom for James Packer. After moving to Tambo in 1995, she became a bookkeeper and cattle manager at Lansdowne, a large sheep stud, where she also earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Agribusiness. Louise has held numerous leadership roles, including President of ICPA Australia and South West Director of AgForce. She is passionate about ensuring rural communities thrive, with access to quality education, healthcare, and essential services, supporting the future of Australia’s agricultural sector.