McDonald’s Andrew Brazier is on the program for the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association’s peak conference Beef Ex.

THE Australian Lot Feeders’ Association’s BeefEx conference will host McDonald’s global beef supply chain director Andrew Brazier and former Federal Treasurer Peter Costello this year, with the program released last week.

The industry will embrace the opportunity to once again converge and connect in a celebration of all things beef at BeefEx 2022 18-20 October at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

The 2022 program was released last week with thought-leaders Peter Costello, Andrew Brazier, Calvin Booker, Rob Redenbach, Anna Speer and Michael McQueen headlining the conference.

Australian Lot Feeders Association president Barb Madden said after experiencing a three-year lapse between events, the 2022 BeefEx program needed to be both inspiring and thought-provoking for our feedlot industry.

“The global landscape has changed significantly since our last event with Covid, climate, war and social change all having a considerable impact particularly on agriculture and the beef industry,” she said.

“We have gathered an exceptional line up of speakers involved in Australian and international beef and we are really excited to bring the best minds in the business to BeefEx in 2022,” said Ms Madden.

“The calibre and depth of experience in the program is second to none and I am confident that the content and topics we cover from the overarching to the technical will place our members in the best position to tackle whatever the future may hold,” she said.

Headline speakers for BeefEx 2022 include:

• Andrew Brazier – Aussie ex pat and McDonalds worldwide supply chain director for beef who is at the coalface of international meat trading. This will be beef economics at its finest to explore what is going on at the top and the impact of global trends on one of our biggest beef customers – McDonalds.
• Peter Costello – the former Federal Treasurer will lend his insights in navigating the minefield of world economic chaos and share his best business advice for Australian animal agriculture business in 2022 and beyond.
• Dr Calvin Booker – General Manager at Canadian-based Feedlot Health Management Services by TELUS Agriculture with a North American feedlot and calf grower client portfolio producing ~4 million animals per year. Insights ranging from ownership structure through to the nuts and bolts of a systematic approach to improve the sustainability of feedlot production.
• Rob Redenbach – drawing from experiences that include working with Nelson Mandela’s bodyguard team in South Africa and protecting aid workers in Iraq, Rob provides powerful insights into leadership and communication. Bringing fascinating strategies of resilience and leadership to the beef industry.
• Anna Speer – industry favourite Anna Speer, previously with Auctions Plus and AACo and now operating under the Woolworths red meat division Greenstock, will address balancing practicality with consumer sentiment amongst a challenging environment of beef price wars, changing shopping trends and food shortages.
• Michael McQueen – having helped some of the world’s most successful brands navigate disruption and maintain momentum we ask Michael to help the feed lot sector to prepare for a range of post covid trends and what this ultimately means for the feed yard.

Ms Madden said that along with delivering the most relevant and topical issues facing the feedlot industry the primary aim of BeefEx was to gather collectively to connect and celebrate our feedlot community’s continued success.

“A social program like none ever seen before is currently being designed by the ALFA Events Committee befitting of a true industry celebration,” she said.

“Another exciting part of our BeefEx program is our Recognition of Excellence Awards program, showcasing our industry’s best and brightest minds through the Feedlot Education Medal, Young Lot Feeder of the Year, Community Heroes, Communicate your research and Innovation Awards,” said Ms Madden.

“I encourage everyone to get online and secure their spot at what is set to be the best BeefEx yet,” she said.

Source: ALFA