As the countdown to the Beef 2021 event draws closer, Beef Central will showcase what’s in store for visitors, across commercial trade sites and key exhibitors…..  

THERE’s a lot to see and a lot to do at Beef 2021 – and the Australian Meat Processor Corporation’s trade stand should be top of the list for anyone who’s excited to see where the industry is going and how much is happening in innovation in red meat processing.

The past decade has been a significant one, with major advancements in the processing industry from lamb deboning automation to bandsaw safety solutions.

“But what might be possible over the next five to ten years?” chief executive officer Chris Taylor asks.

As the rural research and development corporation for the red meat processing industry in Australia, AMPC runs programs of activity that are funded by processor levy payers, private contributions and the Australian Government.

AMPC’s strategy is to work directly with its processor members on a range of exciting, practical research initiatives to support them in their critical role in the red meat sector.

The corporation’s stand will offer a sneak peek into what’s around the corner for the industry.

AMPC’s display at Beef 2021

The stand includes six exhibition areas and is designed to showcase the key areas AMPC is working in, enabling visitors to get up close and personal with new technology and new product ideas.

Some of these have been showcased in recent Red Meat R&D Update articles on Beef Central.

“The stand will be highly interactive, with working prototypes in action, screens to step visitors through some of our most exciting innovation projects, and our team on hand to talk about why the processing sector is leading the way in tech and innovation in red meat and beyond,” Mr Taylor said.

Visitors to the stand will have the chance to see the latest ultra-safe bandsaw in action, try out new gaming-inspired tech to teach beef scribing, or check out how exo-skeletons that look like they’re straight from a movie set could create new job opportunities.

Patrons will also be able to see some of the latest in virtual reality innovations and see where the industry is creating opportunity through supporting new product development.

More than bells and whistles …

The AMPC stand is designed to be exciting and inspiring, but AMPC is not just about making a splash. Mr Taylor says much of AMPC’s work is about building capacity in the sector by highlighting how progressive it is, and helping to meet changing approaches to work, safety and career expectations.

“R&D is the answer to many of the big questions in the meat processing sector, from ‘how do we find and keep staff?’ to ‘how do we balance profitability and environmental sustainability?’” he said.

“Our members have entrusted us to support investments that modernise the industry, and we really want visitors at Beef 2021 to walk away understanding that the meat processing facility of the future is a great place for them or their kids to work.”

Hear from the team

On Monday, 3 May, AMPC is hosting a seminar at Beef 2021 on Modern Manufacturing – and it’s going to be packed with updates. Across AMPC’s five programs, the team is executing a huge range of initiatives that look at challenges as diverse as developing tele-vet services, augmented reality training programs and building shadow robotics.

There will be demonstrations of the kind of cutting-edge tech AMPC is working with and the team will be ready to answer stakeholder questions. The seminar starts at 1.30pm in the Paterson Room, and tickets can be booked via the Beef 2021 App.

• AMPC looks forward to connecting with members, industry supporters and the leaders of tomorrow at the event. The AMPC stand can be found in the Walter Pearce pavilion, at Booths WP36-WP41.