February 3, 2023
Kingaroy-based data analyst Emma Black has been named as a finalist in the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
Emma and her family live on a cattle property near Kingaroy, and it is her passion for the beef industry which has led to her nomination for the award.
She is the co-founder and operations manager of Black Box Co, a data collection tool designed to assist beef producers to improve productivity and profitability by making better-informed decisions.
The cloud-based software collects raw data from along the beef supply chain.
In 2021, Emma won the Rural, Regional & Remote Award at the national WiT (Women In Technology) awards.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said four women had been named as State finalists in the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
He said Emma’s real-time analysis and insights software was generating certainty across the supply chain.
The other finalists are:
- Emma-Louise Gibbons, from the Sunshine Coast, who is using Australian-farmed insect protein to sustainably produce a line of dog food and treats.
- Kate Lamason, from Cairns, whose vertically integrated production model has brought tuna canning to Australian markets.
- Louise Noble, from Toowoomba, who is creating industry partnerships that upskill and connect disadvantaged job seekers to agricultural employment.
“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award has a rich heritage of promoting the wonderful contribution Australian women make to rural industries, businesses and communities, and inspiring them to further develop their skills,” Mr Furner said.
“This year’s winner will receive a $15,000 Westpac grant and represent Queensland at the national announcement in September where they have the chance to win an additional $20,000 Westpac grant.”
The Queensland finalists will each receive a $2000 grant from the State sponsor, the University of Queensland.
“Being nominated as a finalist represents due recognition for initiative and dedication, and I congratulate all of this year’s finalists and wish them well for the future,” Mr Furner said.
