THE first role of the new young ambassador for the only organisation representing the interests of beef farmers will be to support a major event taking place near Kendal.

Annabelle Howell has been chosen as the first young ambassador for the National Beef Association (NBA)and will be joining the NBA Beef Expo, being held at North West Auctions, J36 on Saturday, April 27.

Annabelle 22, has been involved in her family’s 700-head cattle finishing business in Norfolk, and started her own Charolais pedigree herd at the age of just 15, planning her own breeding strategy and winning multiple young handler championships, including Young Stockperson of the Year in 2018.

She qualified for the national Charolais stock judging final in 2016, 2017, and 2019, and was invited to become an officially appointed Charolais judge at the age of just 22.

Before taking up her new appointment with the NBA, she served as Wagyu coordinator at ABP York, and currently in livestock procurement for Pickstock Telford.

NBA CEO Neil Shand said: “Annabelle’s credentials are unique and her professional and personal qualifications are tailormade for this role.

“She has livestock in her DNA and an astonishing breadth and depth of knowledge and experience covering every aspect from the day-to-day practicalities of farming to the sophisticated science of genetics and breeding, and the economic realities of marketing.

“Most importantly, she brings a deep and genuine passion for livestock and the people who are taking this traditional and essential part of our farming heritage into the future.

“We all face steep challenges in safeguarding a sustainable future for our industry, and I am absolutely confident that no-one will carry the flag forward more effectively than Annabelle.”

Annabelle said: “We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a positive future for the beef industry, with a growing focus on sustainable farming and breeding better animals to achieve a quality product whilst being more efficient and making a major contribution to cutting carbon and regenerating our environment.”