RECORD numbers of Tasmanian beef and lamb producers are expected to attend the full-day Red Meat Updates conference in Launceston on Friday.

Red Meat Updates is the annual red meat industry conference in Tasmania and 2016 is the fourth time the event has been held. Each year more than 250 people attend the conference, however 2016 is on track to be the biggest event yet, with an audience of 350 350 red meat industry producers, researchers and advisors expected to attend.

Seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey will present on climate drivers that impact rainfall in Tasmania

The event has earned a reputation for being a forum where the state’s leading red meat producers can gain a snapshot of key industry research findings, resources and tools, training options and technological innovations. It is a day where producers, advisors, researchers and industry stakeholders come together to network and learn.

This year the theme of the conference is preparing for, managing through and recovering from adverse conditions. The conference theme and program have been developed by a producer-led working group and includes a strong lineup of local and interstate speakers, including many inspiring red meat producers.

Beef and sheepmeat prodcuers will break into concurrent sessions for part of the day, and Southern Australian Meat Research Council regional chair Jenny O’Sullivan, from Gippsland, will give an update on SAMRC’s work in producers guiding investment in research, development and adoption.

Major event sponsors are Meat & Livestock Australia, Macquarie Franklin and Roberts Ltd.

Here’s a run-down on some of this year’s key speakers:

Richard Norton, Managing Director, MLA

Red Meat Updates 2016 is being opened by MLA managing director, Richard Norton, who will talk about what MLA is doing to support producers to build their skills in areas that drive business profitability, and to better manage risks and uncertainty, such as climate variability. He will also give a market overview, looking at key global markets and opportunities for the Tasmanian red meat industry.

Dale Grey, Seasonal Risk Agronomist, Agriculture Victoria

The presenter of The Very Fast Break, Dale Grey, will present on climate drivers that impact rainfall in Tasmania and discuss their current status and how that is likely to impact rainfall and temperature for the next six months. Check out THE VERY FAST BREAK on YouTube.

George Shea, Red Meat Producer, Lyndall

A study has recently been conducted in Tasmania to obtain data on the extent of losses and to define risk factors for sudden death of lambs on lucerne. A survey was conducted on 10 midlands farms in April 2016 and the results are being presented at Red Meat Updates.  Producer, George Shea from Hamilton, will discuss the survey findings and take-home messages from this work.

John Francis, Holmes Sackett

What do the top 20 percent of sheep producers do differently?  John will discuss how the most profitable livestock producers generate double the level of profitability of the average over the long term.

The future of pasture biomass measurement

How will the amount of feed in a paddock be measured in the future? By your smartphone, or a satellite? How will you be able to use this information to optimise your grazing management and boost meat production?  Researcher, Tony Butler, producer, Will Green and consultant, John Francis, who are involved in an MLA-funded project at Cressy trialing new real-time biomass estimation products will discuss this.

Virtual Farm Tour

How have three Tasmanian red meat producers managed seasonal conditions on their farms in the last year?  What strategies, tactics and tools do they have in place to recognise and respond to these challenges?  The conference will hear from Chris Headlam from Woodbury, James Walch from Epping Forest and Matthew Lester from Lileah as the audience is taken on a tour of their farms.

What: Red Meat Updates Conference

When: 8.45am-5.30pm, Friday 22 July

Where: The Tramsheds, Launceston

Cost: Free event for producers. Cost is $300 ex gst for others

Registration: https://redmeatupdates.eventbrite.com.au/ or call Sarah on (03) 6427 5300

Program: https://redmeatupdates.com/program/