A TRAIL-BLAZER in the northern cattle industry is being remembered as a dynamic innovator, mentor, true friend and family man.
Chris Greenwood, 49, died in a quad-bike accident at his Walkamin property on Saturday.
Chris operated paddock to plate branded beef operation, Morganbury Meats, the wholesale supplier for many of the region's top restaurants and butcheries.
He was heavily involved in both the cattle industry and Tablelands community, joining the Mareeba Saleyards board in 2006.
He was unanimously elected as chairman in 2015, only the fourth in the saleyards' 73 years, and was re-elected to the position the day before his death.
Board member and close friend Perry Fox and wife Nicola described Chris as a trail-blazer in the industry.
"He was very inspiring, motivated, proactive and a hard worker," Mr Fox said.
"He was dedicated to his profession building up a solid empire, contributing to many lives in Far North Queensland.
"Chris was known as the 'meat king' and 'km collector' - he really should have bought a plane to reduce the hours he was on the road.
"Chris was considered a real go-getter in life, not only a wonderful friend but a huge mentor.
"Although he dedicated a lot of his time towards helping others and running his many businesses, he was a real family man.
"He loved his boys and family, he was a genuine friend, affectionate and had a beautiful soul.
"Nothing was ever too hard for Chris, he would jump at the next challenge and was a real inspiring leader.
"He had a really active personal life, he was passionate about rugby union, he truly lived life on the edge and often said 'live everyday like it's your last' and he sure did."
The saleyards board also paid tribute to their highly regarded chairman.
"Chris was a very motivated and dynamic person with a great sense of humour who always seemed to be living life at 110 per cent," they said.
"He was extremely knowledgeable about the industry and industry trends, and was a very progressive thinker."
The board recalled a few years ago Chris predicted record top prices in excess of $5/kg live weight.
"At the time most people considered this laughable, but as he predicted it has come to pass.
"Chris was involved in all aspects of the northern cattle industry, from personally buying on the ground in the saleyards to lot feeding, processing and marketing - he certainly was a strong believer in the north being able to produce a quality animal.
"It seems unbelievable that he is gone. He was always so safety conscious, and we are all in shock that he lost his life in a farm accident."
