Doug Piper, MLA’s Retail Business Manager – Corporate Butcher leads the ABG, a national program supporting butchers at every career stage with industry resources, learning tools and inspiration.
A cut above: the next generation of Aussie butchers
Butchers play a critical role in the success of Australia’s red meat industry – helping consumers connect with and love our product.
They’re not just meat cutters – they’re storytellers, innovators and trusted advisors who influence how Australians experience beef and lamb every day.
Recognising this, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) created the Australian Butchers Guild (ABG) – a dedicated channel designed to engage butchers at every stage of their career, from apprentices to master butchers.
Managed by Doug Piper, MLA’s Retail Business Manager – Corporate Butcher, the ABG program delivers a range of industry resources, learning materials and inspiration to help butchers thrive.
“Like many industries, butchery is facing a real challenge to find the skilled workforce it needs for a sustainable future,” Doug said.
“If you’re an apprentice or an experienced tradesman looking for butchery tips, engagement opportunities, or inspiration for new beef and lamb value-added products, you’ll find what you need on the ABG website.”
Inspiring the next generation
By showcasing the skills and innovation happening across the industry, Doug said the ABG is helping instill a sense of pride in butchers at every level and creating opportunities to connect, share ideas and learn new techniques to elevate the consumer’s experience.
“It’s so much more than a resource hub. It’s a community that’s helping drive engagement and champion the innovation that will help secure a strong future for Australia’s butchers and the red meat industry.”
Building on this and inspired by MLA’s Red Meat Ambassadors, the ABG program appointed its first Butcher Ambassadors in 2024.
“We have six of Australia’s most recognised young butchers sharing their skills and knowledge to help fellow tradespeople build their own successful careers,” Doug said.
Each ABG Ambassador is an award-winning butcher with a passion for beef and lamb innovation.
“They’re inspiring a new generation to embrace creativity and value-adding by developing products that meet evolving consumer needs, while also increasing business profitability.”
Creating a community
Throughout 2025, MLA’s butcher ambassadors hosted small engagement events where apprentice butchers could chat with the ambassadors, ask questions and learn practical skills.
“These events have helped younger apprentices and butchers learn new techniques and explore value-adding ideas, as well as introduce them to MLA, MSA and the resources available through the ABG,” Doug said.
