SALRC announces 2026 award winners celebrating excellence in southern Australian livestock

The Southern Australia Livestock Research Council (SALRC) has announced the 2026 award winners across the southern Australian livestock industries. The awards were developed to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in the contributions of individuals to research, development, extension, communication and practical application of innovation on farm, to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Southern Australian red meat and livestock industries.

SALRC 2026 Award recipients are:

– Producer – David de Pury (Mixed farming enterprise, Yarra Valley, Vic)
– Scientist / Researcher (joint winners) – Dr Richard Hayes (Senior Research Scientist, NSW DPIRD) and Dr John Webb-Ware (Senior Lecturer, the University of Melbourne)
– Communication / Extension – Lyndon Kubeil (Agriculture Victoria)
– Young Achiever – Dr Dominique Van der Saag (Lecturer in Animal Welfare Science and Animal Behaviour, The University of Sydney)

In announcing the award recipients, SALRC Chair Dr Sue Hatcher said “These awards recognise five people whose work is making a real difference to southern Australian livestock production systems. Whether through research, extension, or leadership on-farm, the 2026 award recipients have each helped strengthen the link between science and practice. Progress comes from people who are prepared to ask questions, challenge conventional thinking, share knowledge and work collaboratively to create positive change. This year’s winners exemplify those qualities, and SALRC is delighted to celebrate their achievements.”

 The Award Winners:

SALRC Producer 2026 – David de Pury
David de Pury operates Yeringberg, a 700-hectare family farming business in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, producing beef, sheepmeat, wool and wine grapes. With a scientific and curious approach, he has a long history of participating in research and applying evidence-based innovation to improve livestock productivity and environmental management.

David is also an active industry leader and mentor. Through SALRC’s Central Victorian Regional committee, the Grassland Society of Southern Australia and the Yarra Valley Better Beef group, he encourages producers to use research in their decision-making. He regularly hosts trials, farm visits and student groups, generously sharing his experience with farmers, researchers and the next generation.

Receiving the Producer Award, David de Pury said, “the SALRC Producer Award for Excellence is a very welcome acknowledgement of the on-farm research advocacy work that I have carried out over the past 30 years, sharing my success and failures with both local and visiting farmers groups.  I have been committed to this process because research provides answers to many farm production issues as well as clarity in helping decide which innovations are worthy of adoption.”

SALRC Scientist / Researcher 2026 – Dr Richard Hayes and Dr John Webb-Ware
Joint winner Dr Richard Hayes has built an outstanding scientific reputation during 25 years with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. His rigorous, collaborative research addresses the needs of grazing and mixed farming systems across south-eastern Australia. His body of work includes 80 scientific journal articles, 105 peer-reviewed conference papers and a book chapter, while his leadership of major projects spanning pasture species, perennial grains and acid-soil management has helped translate research into practical gains for livestock producers.

Richard is equally recognised for ensuring research reaches the people who can put it into practice. He has shared his expertise at nearly 200 field days, farm walks and industry events, helping producers and advisers apply findings to improve productivity and manage complex farming challenges. His inclusive leadership, advocacy for the future of Australian pasture systems, and active mentoring of junior scientists, technical staff and postgraduate candidates demonstrate an enduring commitment to both scientific excellence and the next generation of agricultural researchers.

In responding to his award as joint SALRC 2026 Scientist / Researcher, Dr Richard Hayes said “the list of products and services that producers can now buy is endless. Independent research is essential to assist producers sort the wheat from the chaff and maintain an evidence-based production system. I am grateful to SALRC for their recognition of my research.”

With more than three decades of experience, Dr John Webb-Ware is recognised as one of southern Australia’s leading production animal scientists. His research has delivered practical benefits across beef and sheep production, grazing management, animal health and welfare, enterprise profitability, and farm resilience—combining scientific rigour with a strong understanding of commercial farming systems.

A defining feature of Dr Webb-Ware’s career has been his commitment to turning research into action. Through decision-support tools, producer workshops, practical resources, veterinary education and mentoring, he has helped producers adopt evidence-based practices while strengthening the next generation of livestock professionals. His collaborative approach has made a lasting contribution to the capability, productivity and resilience of southern Australia’s livestock sector.

In responding to his award as SALRC 2026 Scientist / Researcher, Dr John Webb-Ware said “this award is in part recognition of many years of dedication by not only myself but many staff at The Mackinnon Project over many years to provide answers, develop new systems and improve the profitability of livestock producers in southern Australia.”

SALRC Communication / Extension 2026 – Lyndon Kubeil
Lyndon’s nomination recognises his exceptional and sustained contribution to Victoria’s sheep industry, particularly through BestWool/BestLamb (BWBL), Australia’s longest-running sheep industry extension program. Involved since the program began in 1996 and serving as project manager for 15 years, he helped build an enduring network connecting producers, advisers and researchers, while securing support and adapting delivery to changing industry needs. His advocacy for producer-led, peer-to-peer learning, private-sector partnerships and flexible online engagement during COVID-19 strengthened BWBL’s reach and relevance.

His leadership has translated research into practical change on farms, supporting improved productivity, profitability, biosecurity and resilience. BWBL now engages approximately 4,500 members, with evaluations reporting high satisfaction and practice change among 98 per cent of group members. Lyndon is both a respected wool producer and industry leader and has generously mentored producers, facilitators and colleagues, contributed to producer demonstrations and sheep-industry standards, and helped ensure that southern producers’ priorities inform future research and development investment.

SALRC Communication / Extension Award recipient Lyndon Kubeil said, “I am really proud to win the SALRC Communication / Extension Award. I have worked in extension roles for 33 years, supporting sheep producers to adopt new management practices and improve their farming businesses. I believe extension services play a vital role in creating an environment that helps producers understand and implement research and development outcomes in their unique farming systems, so they can remain productive and profitable amid ever-increasing challenges.”

SALRC Young Achiever 2026 – Dr Dominique Van der Saag
Dr Dominique Van der Saag is an emerging leader in livestock welfare science whose research delivers practical benefits for Australia’s sheep and cattle industries. Her work focuses on pain mitigation and improved welfare outcomes for routine husbandry procedures, supported by strong partnerships with producers, veterinarians and industry organisations.

She has led major industry-funded research, including a $1.08 million Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company project, and has built a strong reputation through research, industry engagement and national advisory roles. Dr Van der Saag is also a dedicated mentor who supports students and early-career researchers to develop industry experience and professional networks. Her leadership, scientific excellence and commitment to translating research into practice exemplify the qualities recognised by the SALRC Young Achiever Award.

Young Achiever Award recipient Dr Dominique Van der Saag said, “receiving this award is incredibly rewarding and particularly meaningful at this stage of my career. It reinforces the importance of industry-connected research and encourages me to continue working with producers and industry partners to develop practical solutions that improve animal welfare while supporting Australian livestock industries.”

The Awards were presented at the SALRC Livestock 2026 Conference Dinner on Wednesday 21^st October 2026 at Wagga Wagga. SALRC will continue to identify and recognise outstanding contributors to the red meat and livestock industries again in future.