Don Heatley

Don is a fifth generation north Queensland cattle producer with two stations and running 8,000
head of cattle on the lower Burdekin River.

The family business has fine-tuned its production systems over the time of Don’s management to produce beef for highly specialised markets in Korea, Japan and the United States, giving him a strong understanding of international agribusiness value chains.

Don is a passionate and committed advocate for both promotion of Australian agribusiness interests overseas and investing in the strengthening of domestic agribusinesses in developing countries. He has more than 30 years’ experience promoting the Australian beef industry internationally, including through roles on state livestock councils, the Cattle Council of Australia and a Chair of Meat and Livestock Australia.

Don actively supported the establishment of the Australian live cattle export trade to Vietnam. He has taken a strong personal interest in provision of research and development support to domestic beef industries throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He has travelled extensively throughout these regions representing the Australian beef industry with regional governments and industry. Don chaired Australia’s Commission for International Agricultural Research from 2014 to 2020.