Dave Pethick is Professor Emeritus at the Schools of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. He grew up on a family farm and trained in agricultural science at Adelaide University followed by a doctorate (1981) at Cambridge University, UK. He has worked in the farm animal industries for 46 years post graduation as a university academic, researcher, teacher and industry practitioner. His research interests are broad encompassing metabolic biochemistry, nutrition and disease of farm animals. Currently actively involved in meat science of sheep and cattle across the value chain. Dave has played a key role in the development of the world renowned Meat Standards Australia beef and lamb grading systems. He is a fellow of NSA