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Speakers

NBRUC 2026 assembles leading beef industry experts, researchers and innovators from northern Australia and beyond to share their cutting-edge research findings and practical insights.

Through keynote presentations and dynamic panel discussions, you will learn from experienced beef producers, leading researchers, and industry leaders, gaining practical knowledge to enhance your operations and advance the northern Australian beef industry.

More speaker announcements coming soon.

Derek Bailey

Keynote Speaker
Wednesday 11 March

Derek Bailey

Derek Bailey is the Director of Research and Outreach at Deep Well Ranch in Prescott, Arizona (USA).  Deep Well Ranch is a working cattle operation as well as a research site for precision livestock management and grazing management. Bailey worked at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico (USA) for 19 years, and he is now Professor Emeritus in the Animal and Range Sciences Department. After growing up on a cattle ranch and farm in southern Colorado, Derek received his PhD in Range Science and his MS and BS degrees in Animal Science at Colorado State University. Derek previously worked as a researcher for Montana State University and USDA-ARS in Oklahoma. His research interests include precision livestock management, rangeland cattle and sheep production, grazing management and animal welfare. 

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Richard Heath

Invited Speaker
Wednesday 11 March

Richard Heath

Richard Heath is the Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s largest Cooperative Research Centre, Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC. His extensive experience in the Australian agriculture sector extends across multiple high-profile roles including as Executive Director with the Australian Farm Institute, Associate Professor of Agronomy and Farm Management at the University of Sydney and Director at Nuffield Australia Farming Scholars. Richard is a non-executive director of the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

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Bron Christensen

Invited Speaker
Thursday 12 March

Bron Christensen

Bron brings more than 25 years’ experience across a wide range of industries including beef, cotton, irrigation and rural health to her role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association. Raised on a mixed farming and grazing property in Theodore, Central Queensland, Bron and her husband own and operate their own grazing property in her hometown. Bron has also served in key leadership roles including Executive Officer with The Leucaena Network, Secretariat for the North Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC), Company Secretary for Theodore Water Pty Ltd and Regional Manager and myBMP Auditor for Cotton Australia. She has also served on various boards and advisory groups including Chair of the National Farmers Federation (NFF) Farm Business and Economics committee and previously as a member of AgForce’s Ag Business committee and a Director on the Central Queensland Health and Hospital Service (CQHHS). Bron applies her extensive experience in leadership and management for the betterment of the Australian agricultural industry, with a focus on the long-term viability of northern Australian beef production and the rural communities that surround them.

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