Loretta Carroll and Margery and De Burgh Joyce.

CATTLE producers, industry leaders and agribusiness professionals are gathering in Wagga Wagga this week for Cattle Australia’s annual Cattle Connect conference, with a program spanning the major cattle transaction levy review to practical on-farm demonstrations and discussions about the future of Australian beef.

The two-day event hosted at Charles Sturt University combines feedlot tours, livestock management sessions and technology demonstrations with conversations about markets, profitability and beef’s nutritional credentials.

Thursday’s “Out on Farm” program featured tours of the CSU feedlot, virtual fencing demonstrations, safe stock handling and heifer selection and livestock profitability with international cattle judge PJ Budler from Texas.

Other sessions explored soil health with Dr Susan Orgill, seasonal rainfall outlooks and the Cynoptec Climate Model with Stuart Williams, and opportunities to capture more carcase value through yield measurement and value-based marketing.

Beef specialists Sam Burke and Doug Piper rounded out the day’s program with a session on cuts making an impact in foodservice during a sundowner at CSU’s Equine Precinct.

Friday’s “The Big Conversations” program today turns attention to broader industry opportunities, including market outlooks, feedlot growth and the potential to better understand, develop and communicate beef’s nutrient density.

A keynote speaker is US-based Bionutrient Food Association founder Dan Kittredge, whose work explores links between agricultural practices, food quality and human health.

His presentation will examine nutrient and mineral density and emerging sensor technology being developed to measure variation in food quality, raising questions about how those attributes might eventually be measured, valued and rewarded through beef supply chains.

Updates on the cattle levy review and recommendations currently open for producer voting will also be on the menu for discussion during today’s event.

Exhibitor displays and technology showcases across the event also give producers opportunities to explore emerging tools and discuss their application in cattle businesses.

Cattle Australia deputy chair Adam Coffey (left), Sam Brown, CEO of Agricultural Innovation Australia, and CA chair Garry Edwards (right).

Hugh Nivison, Mirani, Walcha; Erica Halliday, Ben Nevis, Walcha, NSW and Michael Crowley, Meat & Livestock Australia managing director.

Michelle Scholz, Emily Johnson and Fiona Piltz from the Wagga Wagga City Council.

George King, Carcoar, NSW; Jane McMillan, Cloncurry, Qld and Stephen Lee, Meat & Livestock Australia.

Anna and Andrew Raff, Raff Angus, King Island.

Ben Dwyer, Harvest Road, WA and James Crawford, Galimbang Beef, Yaven Creek. NSW.

Beef Central genetics editor Al Rayner and Sam Martin, Walcha.

Angus Australia’s Liam Mowbray, Carel Teseling and Jake Bourne.