Simon Close, Kurra Wirra Pastoral is one of three beef producers who will sit on a producer panel during the Emerald seminar

AN important genetics forum being staged in Emerald, Central Queensland next month will focus on the future of beef production in northern Australia.

Genetics Australia’s March 11 forum is a one-day event concentrating on the genetics, reproduction and markets shaping the future of beef production in the region.

The event will feature world-class international and Australian industry speakers and leading producers, connecting today’s breeding and management decisions with tomorrow’s commercial outcomes.

Designed with northern beef systems in mind – for both seedstock and commercial producers – the forum will provide practical insights that support informed decision-making across the supply chain.

This is the first time Genetics Australia has hosted a forum in northern Australia. The event will align with the Genetics Australia Today, Tomorrow and Beyond annual conference being held in Geelong, Victoria on March 17-18 featuring local and international speakers, farmers and beef and dairy industry leaders.

A number of international speakers will appear on the Emerald program:

• 

  Kent Anderson, director of technical services with Zoetis Animal Genetics

  Trans Ova Genetics International Business Manager PJ Budler will speak on global livestock challenges and opportunities. Mr Budler has judged more than 100 different cattle breeds in 51 countries and in 2017 he became the first person to judge a national show on all six continents.

• Dr Kent Anderson (Director of Global Beef Genetic Technical Services, Zoetis US) who last spoke in Australia at the World Angus Forum in 2025, will speak on Leveraging Genetic Gain – From Now and Into the Future.

Other program highlights will include:

• Ced Wise from Wise Repro on Making the most of superior bulls, looking at the physiology of sperm cell production to ensure the use of our best genetics in AI, sexed semen, natural mating and export; and Ripley Atkinson from StoneX speaking on the Australian cattle market outlook and how price risk management can assist beef producers.
• Northern Queensland cattle producers will also share their on-the-ground experiences. Beef breeders Sarina Gale, Rocking Chair Ranch, Simon Close, Kurra Wirra Pastoral and Casey Ryan, Fort Constantine Wagyu will sit on a producer panel to in a `tales from the paddock’ session.
• During an afternoon session Brad Hine from Angus Australia will speak on Angus in the North, Greg Fawcett from Greg Fawcett AI Services will speak on Fixed time AI in Northern Australia, and George Lubbe from Premium Bovine Solutions will address the topic – Connecting Supply Chains Through Genetics.

Genetics Australia beef manager Damien Thomson said the forum would connect today’s breeding and management decisions with tomorrow’s commercial outcomes.

“It’s basically a collaborative information sharing day,” Mr Thomson said. “Advanced bovine reproduction is expanding in Queensland, particularly with IVF services, so it’s a good opportunity to bring new tools and information together for people.”

The forum has been tailored to the northern Australian market.

Mr Thomson said the international and national speakers would share the latest information and research insights to support informed decision making across the supply chain, while the farmer sessions would provide practical advice.

“The people who put technologies into practice are the ones who understand it the best and they can share what works and what people need to know before they get into it themselves,” he said.

The Emerald beef forum will be held from 10.30am on Wed 11 March at the Mayfair Hotel,  7/11 Mayfair Drive, Emerald.

People interested in attending can register here