ROSIE McGowan (pictured) has joined the National Beef Association (NBA) as development manager.

A recent graduate from Harper Adams University, where she gained a first class BSc degree in agriculture with animal science, she gained her passion for beef production through running a herd of Dexter cattle on her family's smallholding in Northumberland where she supplied their farm shop, beef boxes and a local pub.

On placement with 2 Sisters Food Group, she gained experience of red and white meat supply chains, working with supermarkets, auditing farms and helping in the development of calf rearing schemes.

During her studies she received the Wynnstay Beef award for her research project "Evaluation of feeding elevated levels of milk replacer on the health of artificially reared beef calves to 12 weeks", and will present the results as a conference paper at the British Society of Animal science annual meeting in April.

On graduating she completed three months in Western America, working on a number of grass fed beef ranches, gaining a greater knowledge of global beef production before joining the NBA team in Hexham to increase membership and develop its regional groups.

Chris Mallon, chief executive, said: "Rosie's passion and enthusiasm for the industry is fantastic and I have no doubt that in her new position she will be a great ambassador and integral to our ongoing growth and development."