This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/10/beef-baron-dies-from-injuries-suffered-in-camdrafting-accident

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Beef baron dies from injuries suffered in campdrafting accident Beef baron dies from injuries suffered in campdrafting accident
(about 20 hours later)
An Australian beef baron, Graeme Acton, has died a week after falling from a horse while competing at a campdrafting event.An Australian beef baron, Graeme Acton, has died a week after falling from a horse while competing at a campdrafting event.
The 63-year-old was injured when he came off the horse during the Clarke Creek Autumn Classic Campdraft near Rockhampton on May 2.The 63-year-old was injured when he came off the horse during the Clarke Creek Autumn Classic Campdraft near Rockhampton on May 2.
He died on Friday night surrounded by his family while in intensive care at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.He died on Friday night surrounded by his family while in intensive care at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Acton headed Acton Land and Cattle, one of Australia's largest farming operations.Acton headed Acton Land and Cattle, one of Australia's largest farming operations.
The firm owns 180,000 head of cattle on seven Queensland farms which span about 1.58 million hectares of land.The firm owns 180,000 head of cattle on seven Queensland farms which span about 1.58 million hectares of land.
Acton Land and Cattle exports 30,000 beasts to the Middle East and Asia each year.Acton Land and Cattle exports 30,000 beasts to the Middle East and Asia each year.
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, paid tribute to Acton.
"He was a proud Queenslander and a great Australian," Abbott said in a statement.
"Graeme contributed so much to agriculture in our country, in particular to the cattle industry around Rockhampton where the Actons have been farming for four generations."
The Queensland premier, Campbell Newman, said he was shocked and saddened.The Queensland premier, Campbell Newman, said he was shocked and saddened.
"He was an outstanding character who was much loved by all," he said in a statement."He was an outstanding character who was much loved by all," he said in a statement.
"A hard working Queenslander, he devoted his life to the land and growing the cattle industry in this state.""A hard working Queenslander, he devoted his life to the land and growing the cattle industry in this state."
The federal agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, said Acton was a hero of the cattle industry and a fierce advocate for agriculture.The federal agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, said Acton was a hero of the cattle industry and a fierce advocate for agriculture.
"We are truly indebted to this great Australian, for the blessing he has been as a father, husband, friend, pioneer and great captain of the agricultural industry in Australia," he said."We are truly indebted to this great Australian, for the blessing he has been as a father, husband, friend, pioneer and great captain of the agricultural industry in Australia," he said.
Just last week Acton had told Joyce how the government could do things better.Just last week Acton had told Joyce how the government could do things better.
"His words of wisdom were not lost on me," Joyce said in a statement on Saturday."His words of wisdom were not lost on me," Joyce said in a statement on Saturday.
"Graeme possessed a unique ability to communicate with people irrespective of their background or social standing and united tens of thousands through his love of the art form of campdrafting.""Graeme possessed a unique ability to communicate with people irrespective of their background or social standing and united tens of thousands through his love of the art form of campdrafting."
Acton is survived by his wife Jennie and their children Tom, Hayley, Victoria and Laura.Acton is survived by his wife Jennie and their children Tom, Hayley, Victoria and Laura.