Next generation farmers: Maranoa’s hard working farmers recognised

The Maranoa region is known for its thriving cattle industry and sprawling paddocks, so it’s only fitting to celebrate the many faces behind the beef-producing region. See who made the list.

Meet some of the Maranoa region's next generation farmers.

The Maranoa is a region heralded for its agricultural industry, as evidenced by the Roma Saleyards which boasts as the largest cattle selling centre in Australia.

Many residents choose to follow a career path in agriculture which is the lifeblood of the region’s economy.

Keep reading our list to read about some of the younger local farmers doing amazing things in ag.

Bennett and Geordie Ladbrook

First up on our list is Bennett Ladbrook and his twin brother Geordie, who jointly run a cattle property 45km north of Roma.

At just 23 years old, the duo live and work in Roma and have plans to follow in their parents footsteps and run the El Dorado cattle property also north of Roma.

However Bennett lives a double life and also works as a stock agent at Elders Roma where he works with cattle owners to assist them with buying and selling cattle.

“I only started within the last month (at Elders), but I’ve been an agent for a couple years now,” he said.

“I talk to clients, see when is the best time to buy and sell, where to sell by judging on breeds and time of the year.

Bennett Ladbrook.

“I’ve always wanted to do it and be in the livestock agents game because growing up on mum and dad’s place, El Dorado, you just see the agents come out and what they do… it was something I liked doing.”

After he left school, Bennett’s first agriculture job involved working on feedlots.

“I was working there for about three years and the opportunity came up with a livestock agent in town that were looking for someone, and I applied and got the job and I’ve been in this industry for three years now,” he said.

Bennett said he knew from a young age he always wanted to pursue a career in agriculture.

“It’s always been something I’ve enjoyed, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else to be honest,” he said.

“In one capacity or another I’d be in the livestock industry.

“There’s not a week that goes by that you’re doing the same thing.

Bennett’s twin brother Geordie Ladbrook.

“There’s a place for everyone. You can be a first ringer up north and not have much experience and you can do all the technology side and do all your data collection.

“It doesn’t matter what you’re interested in. It’s very diverse.

“Me and my brother, we’ve got our own cattle and we lease a block 10km north of mum and dad’s so we’ve got all our own stuff and eventually we’ll end up taking it over and running it as a partnership.

“We have about 30 or 40 breeder cows out there now.”

However, Bennett said one of the biggest challenges facing young people in the agriculture industry today is first getting into the industry.

“Just getting into it, especially for young people trying to get into it,” he said.

“If you’ve got family who help you out, that’s a big bonus but if you’re coming into it nowadays without a bit of a financial backing, it makes it a lot harder to do especially with the way prices are and interest rates.

“It makes it really hard for young people to get into.

“There’s other ways to get into the industry. Not a lot of people have that block of land but they could work in nutrition and stuff like that. They don’t have the country but they’re still in the industry.”

Jack Graham

Jack Graham was the crowd favourite with 13 Facebook nominations.

Clancy Sheehan

Clancy Sheehan (right).

Brandon Price

Brandon Price.

Jack Dearden

Jack Dearden.

Terry McWhirter

Terry McWhirter.

Jack Hamilton

Jake Hamilton.

Nick Wason

Nick Wason.

Zac Callaghan

Zac Callaghan.

Jake Street

Jake Street.

If you know a next generation farmer who hasn’t been included on the list, feel free to email [e-mail] with their name, a photo and some basic information about them.

Originally published as Next generation farmers: Maranoa’s hard working farmers recognised