Angus Australia has put together a first class speaking program for its 2017 national conference in Ballarat, Victoria in May.

The two-day conference at Ballarat’s Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre just 75 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, takes place on 18-19 May.

The impressive line-up of high-level speakers this year come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Sessions will cover topics in the areas of communication across the beef supply chain, genetic technologies, commercial supply chain relationships, market technologies, and technology in agriculture.

Sessions will run across two days at a relaxed pace, with ample time allowed for refreshments and socialising between sessions.

Various trade stands will also run throughout the conference with opportunities for networking and interaction with other producers and industry service providers.

A gala dinner event will be held on Thursday 18 May and will incorporate entertainment and a fundraising auction for the Angus Foundation.

Dr Dan Moser

Keynote speakers this year include US geneticist, Dr Dan Moser, the president of Angus Genetics Inc (AGI), and director of performance programs for the American Angus Association, headquartered in St Joseph, Missouri. His conference topic is ‘Development in genetic improvement technologies in American Angus.’

Dr Moser earned his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Kansas State University, and his MS and PhD in cattle genetics from the University of Georgia. In his current role, he oversees genetic evaluation programs, genomic testing services, business activities and member education efforts for AGI and the American Angus association. He has served the US beef industry in a variety of leadership roles, and is currently a director of Beef Improvement Federation.

Tom Maguire

Also speaking this year is Teys Australia general manager for corporate services, Tom Maguire, who will discuss ‘Improving communication across the supply chain’, with particular reference to the company’s development of value-based market programs and collaborative alliances with producers. Teys Australia is a substantial part of Australia’s beef industry, operating six beef processing plants, three cattle feedlots as well as other businesses in the value chain located across Australia’s eastern seaboard.

MLA’s market information manager Ben Thomas will provide a domestic and international beef market forecast.

Some of the other speakers and their topics for this year’s conference include:

• Brad Hine, CSRIO – Immune competence
• Susan Bibby, Specialised Breeders Australia – How genetic technology is used in the poultry industry
• Berry Reynolds, Mort & Co – The value of relationships and supply partnerships
• Jon Condon, Beef Central – Digital disruption and the social media evolution
• Ben Simpson, OGA Marketing – Marketing Angus in the digital age
• Drew Ferguson, CSIRO – Remote sensing/eCollars
• Ramesh Segaran, University of Adelaide – Use of drones in agriculture
• Troy Setter, Consolidated Pastoral Co –Future of Angus genetics in Northern Australian beef production
• Sophia Edwards, Vetoquinol – The latest and Future Developments in Artificial Breeding
• Greg & Scott Farquharson – Bushy Park Angus – What has #GrowAngus meant for Bushy Park, past, present & future
• Kev Sullivan, Bell Vet Services – Importance of pre-feedlot entry preparation
• Garry Edwards, CEO, AAM Investment Group – The Evolution of livestock selling systems
• Andrew Howie, group marketing manager, MLA – Nutritional Health benefits of beef
• Andrew Byrne, Angus Australia – Modern genomic technology for Angus breeders
• Liz Pearson, Angus Australia – Commercial Initiatives & Certified Angus Group.

More information on the conference will be available from the Angus Australia website as it becomes available