DRIVING producer profits and building a stronger future for the Australian beef industry will be the focus of a series of free seminars hosted by Meat & Livestock Australia at Beef Australia 2021 in Rockhampton in May.

MLA’s Redefining resilience seminar series will provide beef producers with the opportunity to benefit from practical outcome-focused information captured through innovation and adoption of research outcomes.

Managing director Jason Strong said the beef industry had exhibited resilience for generations, but there was no better time to look at how we use this in-built strength to take us even further.

“Redefining our resilience will ensure the Australian beef industry remains a world leader in global competitiveness, deliver high value, high quality products domestically and around the world, and ultimately ensure our success,” Mr Strong said.

The seminars will address a series of challenges and opportunities faced by beef producers today and discuss the resilient measures underway to transition from “business as usual” to a more sustainable, productive and profitable future.

A great line-up of researchers, industry specialists and producers will share insights and first-hand experiences about on-farm profit drivers and how to support the resilience of the red meat industry through commercial application.

Unlike most other Beef 2021 seminars, MLA seminars are free to attend, but registration is essential to secure a seat.

To find out more about each seminar and register visit Beef Australia 2021 website.

MLA’s Redefining resilience seminar program includes:

Session 1: Fightback against Dieback

Featuring both research and firsthand producer experiences that explore this prevalent issue affecting areas stretching from far north Queensland and into northern New South Wales.

Date: Monday 3 May

Time: 3.30–5pm

Venue: The Paterson Room

Speakers:

• David Foote – Managing Director, Australian Country Choice
• Dr David Beatty, Group Manager, Productivity & Animal Wellbeing, MLA
• Caroline Hauxwell – Associate Professor, QUT
• Stuart Buck – Principal Agronomist (Sown Pastures), DAF
• Dr Gordon Rogers – Principal of Applied Horticultural Research (AHR)
• Nathan Jennings – Senior Livestock Officer, North Coast Local Land Services
• Nicholas Brazier – Pasture Agronomist, DAF
• Josh Connelly – Owner, NLA Contracting
• Owen Price – Commercial Beef Producer
• John Baker – Beef Cattle producer, Central QLD
• Kylie Schooley – Beef Producer, Rocky Springs Cattle Co

Session 2: DNA to Dollars Breakfast Forum

Breeding values are a powerful tool in predicting herd performance. MLA unlocks 30 years of genetics data used to underpin this valuable genetic tool being used to influence on-farm profit drivers.

Date: Tuesday 4 May

Time: 6.45-9am *includes a light breakfast

Venue: The Long Paddock

Speakers:

• Michael Crowley – General Manager Research Development & Adoption, MLA
• Hamish Chandler – Program Manager Genetics, MLA
• Professor Ben Hayes – University of Queensland
• Professor Rachel Ankeny – School of Humanities, University of Adelaide
• Darren Hamblin – Producer
• Michael Lyons – Producer
• Sally Leigo – Program Manager Adoption, MLA

Session Three: Linking Innovation with Reproductive Performance

The Northern Breeding Business (NB2) program addresses cow reproductive efficiency, a significant issue for the northern herd.  Hear from researchers and producers about the innovative technology and on-farm practices being implemented to increase the performance of breeder herds.

Date:  Wednesday 5 May

Time:  8-9.30am

Venue:  The Paterson Room

Speakers:

• Julie McDonald – CFO, MDH Pty Ltd  BBus (Finance) CPA
• Dr Luis Silva – Senior Research Fellow QAAFI
• Mark Trotter – Associate Professor CQU
• Dr Kieren McCosker – Regional Director, Katherine & Senior Livestock Scientist, Livestock Industries, NT DITT
• Edwina Toohey – Research Leader Value Chain, NSW DPI
• Dave Smith – Principal Extension Officer, QDAF
• Stuart Barrett – Producer
• Geoff Murrell – CEO, Packhorse
• Natalie Marks – Grazier
• Ben McGlynn – General Manager North, Paraway Pastoral Co.

Session Four: Driving Value through Supply Chain Innovation

Insights into industry programs and technologies that are creating opportunity for supply chain partners, extracting increased carcase value, and generating greater income for the whole supply chain including on-farm.

Date:  Thursday 6 May

Time: 3.30-5.30pm

Venue:  The Paterson Room

Speakers:

• Dr Alex Ball – Managing Director, Rural Analytics
• Michael Finucan – Industry Stakeholder Manager Northern, JBS
• Nick Meara – General Manager, Thomas Borthwick & Sons
• Dr Graham Gardner – Professor in biochemistry, toxicology, and nutrition
• Darry Heidke – Manager Supply Chain Technology Innovation, MLA
• Dr Jane Weatherley – CEO, Integrity Systems Company

 

Source: MLA