A DETAILED ‘conception to consumption’ study of a large, successful Angus supply chain will feature during the large seminar program at Beef Australia 2018 being staged in Rockhampton next month.

Costco’s Kirkland brand beef offer

Angus Australia will host the one-hour seminar, “The Angus benefit – from producer through the supply chain to the supermarket shelf,” on Tuesday 8 May from 9.30am (details below).

The program will examine the impact of Angus genetics at the producer level (feeder cattle bred for NH Foods’ 52,000 head Whyalla feedlot near Texas, on the Queensland/NSW border); lotfeeder and processor level, and finally through to a large domestic market end-customer, the Costco retail chain.

“The seminar audience will have a ‘backstage pass’ to one of the industry’s most successful integrated Angus supply chains – what the stakeholders do; how they do it; how it impacts others in the chain; and the Angus premium generated throughout their enterprises,” Angus Australia said.

Guest speakers will include NH Foods’ general manager of Oakey Beef Exports and Borthwicks Mackay, Pat Gleeson; a Whyalla Angus feeder cattle supplier; and Marcel Moodley, the meat general manager of the large Costco warehouse retail chain in Australia.

Pat Gleeson

Mr Gleeson will discuss the role of Whyalla feedlot and Oakey Beef Exports in NH Foods Angus Reserve brand program, and the benefits the company sees in promoting an Angus brand.

A fourth generation cattle producer from Crows Nest, Mr Gleeson has more than three decades experience in beef processing, cattle production, and management across the supply chain. He is also a director of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation and is active on a number of industry boards and advisory panels.

Costco has rapidly emerged as a significant warehouse-style retail presence in the Australian market.  Industry surveys suggest the company now accounts for about 4pc of national red meat sales market share, by volume.

Costco is an American multinational corporation which operates a chain of 750 membership-only warehouse clubs in ten countries around the world. The enormous range stretches from fresh foods and grocery to electronics, sporting goods, clothing and car tyres.

Angus Reserve topside roasts on sale in a Costco outlet in Brisbane

As of 2016, Costco was ranked the world’s largest retailer of choice and prime beef, organic foods, rotisserie chicken, and wine. The company operates nine enormous warehouse retail outlets in Australia, with more planned.

Each store’s enormous meat department sets the bar high, offering only minimum 100-day grainfed, marbling score 2 and up beef, packaged in generous proportions through the company’s Kirkland brand. The Oakey Reserve label is displayed on many items, and prices are highly competitive for beef of this quality.

During the Rockhampton seminar, the Costco spokesman will outline how the Black Angus Reserve program is meeting the company’s exacting meat quality standards, and how this is assisting in generating consumer demand.

• Angus Australia will host a Beef 2018 trade stand in the Durack pavilion, sites 1-3, with staff on hand throughout the event for consultation and inquiries. Angus stud beef judging takes place in ring one on Thursday, 10 May from 7.30am.

Seminar: “The Angus benefit – from producer through the supply chain to the supermarket shelf”

Date and time: Tuesday 8 May 9.30-10.30am Gallagher Energizer room (James Lawrence pavilion)

Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase through the Beef 2018 website