Australia’s agriculture sector is mourning the loss of one of its most respected leaders, Luke Bowen.
Mr Bowen led the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) for six years and steered the industry through its toughest crisis, the 2011 ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia.
In 2023, he became the inaugural chief executive of Cattle Australia, the new peak body for grass-fed cattle producers.
In a statement, the NTCA said Mr Bowen would be remembered as a “calm and inspirational leader of the NT industry”.
“His passion, kindness, and unwavering commitment made him an invaluable asset to our industry and to Northern Australia,” the NTCA said.
“Luke Bowen was a remarkable person and his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us.
“We are deeply saddened and devastated by his passing and will remember him with the utmost respect and admiration.”
NT pastoralist and former Cattle Council president Markus Rathsmann said Mr Bowen was “a person of the utmost integrity and skill”.
“We have lost the greatest advocate the northern pastoral industry ever had,” Mr Rathsmann said.
Luke Bowen rose to national prominence as NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive during the 2011 live export ban. (Landline)
Repairing relationships
Following the live export ban Mr Bowen worked to strengthen relationships with Indonesia and was instrumental in setting up an exchange program that saw Indonesian university students work on NT cattle stations.
“One of Luke’s biggest strengths was his vision and, in the wake of the 2011 [live export ban], the cattle industry needed to heal and we needed to restart and engage with our market,” NTCA chief executive Will Evans said.
“Luke saw all of these bright, wonderful young people in Indonesia and he created a program that has now seen more than 400 students come to Australia, work on cattle stations, and we have built relationships with our market like no other industry I can think of has.”
After leading the NTCA from 2008 to 2014, Mr Bowen held senior roles in the NT’s Department of Industry and continued to foster ties with Indonesia’s cattle sector during his tenure.
In February 2023, he took on the job of leading Cattle Australia before stepping down due to health reasons in September.
“Luke’s contribution to our industry, regional communities and as a friend and colleague cannot be understated,” a statement from Cattle Australia said.
“He was a remarkable person and our deepest sympathies are with Tracey and Luke’s family as they work through this unimaginable loss.
“Luke was instrumental to the establishment of Cattle Australia and we’re sure the nation’s grass-fed cattle producers will dip their hats to one of our best today.”
Luke Bowen was a frequent visitor to Indonesia and developed relationships with the nation’s cattle sector during his work with the NTCA and NT government. (Supplied)
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) said Mr Bowen “led with passion, intelligence and with the interests of agriculture at heart”.
“We are grateful for his contribution to the NFF family through the organisations he led and for giving his time generously to our emerging leaders,” the NFF said in a statement.
“He will also be remembered for his key role in driving the successful live cattle export ban case and for his instrumental role in developing northern Australia.”
Mr Bowen also held roles with the Indigenous Land Corporation, the Agriculture Industry Advisory Council and the Connellan Airways Trust.
