VICTORIAN Hereford cattle producer Kevin Stark has been crowned the 2015 Nab Agribusiness Rising Champion.
The award was handed out at the Cattle Council of Australia's gala dinner at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday.
The victory now provides Mr Stark the unique opportunity to participate as a young rancher at the Five Nations Beef Alliance conference in Mexico in October.
He is heavily involved in his family's cattle enterprise running the cattle operation and has a unique outlook on the industry's future.
Cattle Council President Howard Smith said the 2015 Rising Champion was someone who had a completely non-farming background, with training in airline engineering.
But he said the young Victorian Hereford producer believes he can make more money out of farming than engineering and is excited about its future prospects.
"People like Kevin are the sort of people we want to encourage into our industry and to be seen leading our industry," he said.
The runner up for this year's prize was Geoff Birchnell of NSW who received the NAB Agribusiness Encouragement Award.
Mr Birchnell owns a cattle property near Tamworth and runs an export consulting business.
Mr Smith said it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with all participants in the 2015 initiative.
"The passion and eagerness to learn that all Rising Champions demonstrated this week is invigorating for our industry," he said.
"As the next representatives of the beef industry, I believe we are in good hands if individuals such as these are stepping up into roles at local, state and national levels.
"I look forward to following the progress of each of our Initiative participants and would particularly like to congratulate Kevin and Geoff."
NAB Agribusiness Regional Manager NSW Geoff Rose said his group was proud to be gold sponsors of the 2015 initiative.
"I'd like to congratulate Kevin the 2015 Nab Agribusiness Rising Champion," he said.
"This award demonstrates why investment in our young leaders is critical in the ongoing sustainability, development and success of Agribusiness.
"I would also like to congratulate all participants of the Initiative.
"The high calibre of this year's nominees is a demonstration of the beef industries future."
The seven state finalists travelled to Canberra for a three-day intensive program that included meeting key leaders of the Australian beef industry.
The runner up receives sponsorship to attend the 2016 Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program provided by the Australian Beef Industry Foundation
The finalists met Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, Shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon and key policy makers from the Department of Agriculture.
Cattle Council CEO Jed Matz said Mr Joyce and Mr Fitzgibbon had been strong supporters of the Rising Champions Initiative and "we are grateful for their time".
"It is exciting and reassuring that the beef industry is producing such eager, passionate young people for the future," he said.