Panel session from this morning’s JBS Great Southern conference in Melbourne, led by prominent animal production advocate Claire Taylor

SUSTAINABILITY, consistency, technology and the power of collaboration were the key themes on show at JBS Australia’s impressive Great Southern beef and lamb supplier event being staged in Melbourne today.

Regarded as the world’s largest farm-assured grassfed brand program, JBS Great Southern notches up 14 years of operations this year, and continues to grow, despite the impact of drought this year across large parts of the supply region. New export opportunities are emerging for farm-assured grassfed beef and lamb in the UK, and established markets like North America.

More than 650 Great Southern lamb and beef suppliers from across Victoria, southern NSW, eastern parts of South Australia and Tasmania are gathered for today’s Great Southern conference, with a glittering supplier awards night to follow this evening, saluting high achievement against specifications.

Here’s some pictures from the early stages of today’s gathering:

Tara and Rob Hindson from Frances, South Australia, left, with John Lillie from Fox & Lillie, Melbourne, and Wayne Hawkins, also from Frances.

Travelling from Serpentine in northern Victoria were from left, Sam Howard, Ken Hooke and Simon Coutts.

Mandy and Tim Gunn from Waterhouse, Tasmania, right, with Simon Falkiner, Geelong, and Harlie Jansen, Goondiwindi – both from Angus Australia.

Billy Robb, left, and Louisa Rapson, both from Rural Funds Management, with Casey Gilbert from MSD.

Nic and Renee Job from Royalla Shorthorns, Yeovil NSW with Jonathan Nield from Moama NSW

Attending this morning’s JBS Great Southern event were from left, Dave Martin from Wangaratta, Chris Stoney from Mansfield VIC, Andrew Archer from Westwood, Tasmania and JBS buyer Johno Barnes from Deloraine, TAS.

JBS technology development manager Sean Starling leads a session during this morning’s Melbourne conference

• Articles on the key themes from today’s conference, and a wrap-up of tonight’s winners to come early next week.