Adveritsing disclosure: The following briefs are part of Beef Central’s ongoing preview of next week’s Beef 2018 expo in Rockhampton. Information provided below has been drawn from a wide range of sources, including some companies or organisations that have advertised on Beef Central.

Genetics research breeding better breeders

A five-year research project is giving Queensland graziers up-to-date genetics information to help boost reproduction rates in their herds. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Science Director, Beef and Sheep Bob Karfs said the project, which commenced in 2013, was aimed at generating large amounts of female reproduction data on key genetics from Brahman, Santa Gertrudis and Droughtmaster cattle. “Sophisticated ultrasound technology is being used to intensively record data to determine how soon heifers reach puberty and then how long it takes them to recommence the breeding cycle after calving,” Mr Karfs said. “All animals in the project have complete genomic profiles using the latest DNA chips and this is coupled with the performance data to drive increased accuracy of the genetic predictions. More information about Spyglass and other ways DAF supports Queensland’s $5.4 billion beef industry will be showcased at the Beef Australia 2018 event in Rockhampton from Sunday 6 May to Saturday 12 May. Representatives from the Department’s beef extension and biosecurity teams will be at the Sidney Kidman Pavilion to provide support and extension advice to Queensland livestock producers.

KLR marketing course spots up for grabs

Livestock producers attending Beef 2018 will have the opportunity to win two places at a KLR livestock marketing school, valued at $2860. The KLR team of Rod Knight, Jim Lindsay and Grahame Rees is celebrating 15 years since creating KLR Marketing based on the teachings of US stock handling and livestock marketing expert Bud Williams in 2003. KLR marketing graduates can now be found across Australia and internationally, employing principles including balancing inventories of grass, money and livestock to maximise cash flow and profitability, understanding ‘cost of carry’ and establishing which animals are overpriced and which animals are under-priced in any market. At Beef 2018 the KLR Marketing team will have a site in the Walter Pearce Pavillion and is also hosting two breakfasts at the Rockhampton Leagues Club at 7am Wednesday 9 May and 7am Friday 11 May. Beef Central’s James Nason will be hosting a Hot Seat Q&A session with the KLR team at the Wednesday morning breakfast. For more information, or to enter the KLR Marketing giveaway valued at $2860, or to book for the Wednesday or Friday morning breakfasts, visit www.klrmarketing.com.au or contact Grahame Rees on 0428 953 925.

Cattle health and nutrition seminar

Virbac Australia will showcase its latest research, findings and products relating to cattle health and nutrition at Beef Australia. Virbac will host US vet, Dr Bob Gentry, who will give a technical talk on ‘How to Get Cattle Performance Ready’, on 11am Tuesday May 8 in the Gallagher Energizer Room, as well as an invite only ‘Cattle Health and Immunity Breakfast Seminar’ on Thursday May 10 at the Sidney Kidman Pavilion, accompanied by key guest speakers. Virbac develops and provides animal health products ranging from vaccinations and parasite control to nutrition, antibiotics, dermatological care, reproduction and dental care. Virbac veterinary and animal nutrition experts will be on hand throughout the event at the Virbac pavilion, to offer advice on cattle health and nutrition. The team will be available both for private consults, to deliver daily seminars on topics like cattle nutrition, parasite management and vaccinations, and Virbac will also be offering exclusive products, free giveaways and the chance to win products.

Abattoir technology

Brisbane-based Kentmaster Equipment Australia manufacturers and distributes abattoir equipment and provides spare parts and after sales service for customers all around the world. The company was awarded the Gold Award for Quality Excellence in Customer Service in 2014 by Quality Australia and achieved ISO:9001-2015 in 2017. Kentmaster works with businesses, governments and meat industry bodies in a wide range of countries in slaughterhouse processing, yields, food safety, product shelf life and meat quality, work place health & safety and animal welfare as well as ESCAS. In 2017 Kentmaster opened three Processing, Training and Technology Centres, two in Vietnam and one in Indonesia. It has 10  branches world-wide. Kentmaster Australia will be demonstrating its products and services at stand 20P/21S in the Sidney Kidman Pavilion.

‘Why sustainability matters’ forum at Beef Australia

Industry leaders and representatives from global food and banking giants will tackle the question ‘Sustainability for the Australian Beef industry… why?’ at a seminar at Beef Australia. The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework – a whole-of-industry initiative to define, measure, report on and guide sustainability – will also launch its first annual update on the progress of the beef industry at the seminar. Speakers include Andrew Brazier, a Director of Supply Chain at McDonald’s Corporation, who has commercial responsibilities for the beef, pork and fish categories for the more than 10,000 restaurants in 37 countries in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Andrew will share his unique insights working with the one of the world’s biggest buyers of beef.  McDonald’s is in a unique position dealing with consumers, suppliers and farmers from across the globe. Lachlan Monsbourgh, Head of Sustainable Business Development at Rabobank Australia, will also share his insights at the sustainability-focused seminar at Beef Australia. “From a risk management perspective banks are now looking beyond financial performance. We need to understand the health of the environment and the management of risks, including animal welfare,” Lachlan said. He says one of the issues Rabobank is most interested in is natural resource management to ensure long-term agricultural productivity and environmental outcomes.

Beef sustainability update to be launched

The ‘Sustainability for the Australian Beef industry… why?’ forum will also feature Australian beef industry leaders involved in the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework – Don MacKay, Red Meat Advisory Council Independent Chair; Bryce Camm, Chair of the Sustainability Steering Group and Camm Agricultural Group CEO; and Susan McDonald, Member of the Sustainability Steering Group and Super Butcher Managing Director. Mr Camm will officially launch the landmark beef sustainability report at Beef Australia, which covers the beef industry’s progress since the Framework was launched in April 2017. “The report was developed to meet stakeholder expectations, but it is also incredibly useful for industry to be able to clearly understand our customers, investors and other stakeholders’ priorities.  There is a commercial imperative for anyone in the beef value chain to understand these priorities and how, as an industry we are responding,” he said. Event details: Thursday, 10 May 2018, 12-1pm, Gallagher Energizer Room (James Lawrence Pavilion).

AgForce Soapbox sessions and Cattle Kids Classroom

Soapbox sessions on boosting beef businesses, a seminar on sustainability and a Cattle Kids Calf Classroom are among the events AgForce will host during Beef Australia 2018 in Rockhampton. AgForce will have a team of staff and producer elected representatives throughout the week and will host a series of soapbox sessions on issues such as Grazing BMP, property mapping, biosecurity, Pimelea research, vegetation management and oversized transport. Nicole Johnson-Hoffman, Senior Vice President of one of the biggest food suppliers in the world – the United States-based OSI Group, and NAB’s Manager of Natural Value James Bentley, will speak about sustainability and the global beef supply chain in a seminar. An interactive education space – the Cattle Kids Calf Classroom – will provide the thousands of children attending with a range of puzzles, activities and displays, and professional development sessions for teachers. AgForce will have a range of industry experts and businesses at it site including a rural property valuer, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Stakeholder Specialist and representatives from Telstra, WFI, AustSafe Super and IOR Petroleum.