NBA Appoints Brilliant Young Ambassador to Champion the Future of the UK Beef Industry

The National Beef Association is delighted to confirm the appointment of Annabelle Howell as the first Young Ambassador for the only organisation representing the interests of British beef farmers.

Born and brought up in a livestock farming family and passionately committed to the industry from a very early age, 22-year-old Annabelle joins the NBA both as an inspiration to the next generation of beef farmers, and as an important part of the Association’s Management Team for the future. One of her first roles will be to support the NBA at the UK’s only dedicated event to the British Beef Industry, NBA Beef Expo, being held at North West Auctions, J36, on Saturday 27^th April 2024.

Always deeply involved in her family’s 700-head cattle finishing business in Norfolk, Annabelle 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.

Alongside working with her father in cattle production, Annabelle’s career has always revolved around livestock, with early work experience being with United Auctions, Genus, and the British Charolais Cattle Society. Later she worked on a progressive dairy enterprise  including calf-rearing and milking 350 cows. 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.

The appointment of a Young Ambassador is a new milestone and initiative for the NBA, and CEO Neil Shand believes they could not have chosen a better representative for the future of the industry. “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.”

The new post at the NBA will give Annabelle Howell a national platform to champion the industry she loves.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining the NBA and supporting the breeders and farmers who are taking our industry forward in these changing and challenging times. 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.

“The NBA is helping to ensure that the UK beef industry continues to play a key part in the future of the country’s food supply and its commitment to a Carbon Net Zero economy, and I am looking forward very much indeed to being part of this fascinating journey.”