Renowned pastoral boss resigns from Yeeda post

Prominent pastoral identity Jack Burton is stepping away from Yeeda Pastoral Company, saying it is time to “seek new pastures”.

Mr Burton, who has been influential in developing Yeeda into a pastoral cattle producing juggernaut, resigned from his managing director and chief executive posts at a board of directors meeting this morning.

“I am proud of what we have achieved at Yeeda,” he said.

“The time has come for our family to seek new pastures and devote all our energy to growing other northern pastoral businesses.

“In due course, we see ourselves becoming a major supplier of cattle to Yeeda’s processing plant, the Kimberley Meat Company, and wish them all good fortune in the years ahead.”

As part of the resignation, Mr Burton will sell his family’s shares in Yeeda to the company’s other shareholders.

The Burton family will retain ownership of Kilto Station, near Broome, with Yeeda to continue to lease the property until December next year.

Yeeda intends to appoint a new chief executive before February’s end.

Yeeda chairman and co-founder Mervyn Key has assumed an executive role until the company appoints a new chief executive.

Mr Key thanked Mr Burton and wife Vicki Burton for making a “significant contribution” to Yeeda’s growth.

“The Burton family has been an instrumental part of the Yeeda success story,” he said.

“We wish Jack, Vicki and their family all the best as they endeavour to grow their northern pastoral businesses.”