Forthcoming beef industry events Feb-March 2013:
(Further details on each event follow summary below)

Feb 27-28 – Youth Agricultural Central, Canberra
Feb 28 – Leptospirosis and Theileriosis workshop, West Gippsland,
March 4 – BJD Forum, Paradise Lagoon, Rockhampton
March 4-7 – Western Qld beef production forums, Central Western Qld
March 11-20 – Mort & Co Lot feeding forums, throughout Qld
March 20 – Ag innovations and NRM conference, Brisbane
March 21-22 – NTCA annual conference, Alice Springs

Youth Agricultural Central, Canberra, Feb 27-28

Almost 30 rural regional and state-based youth groups will descend on Canberra today and tomorrow to participate in the only national gathering of youth networks in Australia. An initiative of the Future Farmers Network (FFN), Youth Agricultural Central (YAC) was first held in Melbourne in 2010, aims to provide a forum to develop a collective approach to investing in youth in agriculture and under FFN’s national umbrella provide an avenue for ongoing collaboration and communication amongst these groups. “YAC is a unique gathering of Australia’s agricultural youth group representatives, attracting over 50 delegates aged under35 years,” FFN Chair, Georgie Aley said. ”The aim of the forum is to develop a clear strategy and plan for the next generation in agriculture to ensure we are engaged and contributing to the industry issues not only now but preparing to meet the future demands.” Over the next two days, YAC delegates will be identifying the key areas youth in agriculture sees as needing investment, hear from keynote speakers including the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Jock Laurie, as well as participate in a number of working sessions to develop ideas on how to develop a collective approach for the future.

Leptospirosis and Theileriosis workshop, West Gippsland, February 28

West Gippsland cattle producers can attend a Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group workshop tomorrow, February 28, focusing on how to protect against herd losses from Leptospirosis and Theileriosis. Leptospirosis, an infectious disease that causes reproductive losses in cattle, can be transmitted to humans, which poses risks to those working with infected livestock. “The best way to control Leptospirosis in both beef and dairy herds is to have an effective vaccination program in place and biosecurity practices enforced,” VFF Livestock manager Charlotte Fox said. Theileriosis, a tick-borne disease, is also of significant concern to producers, as it can cause sudden death in cattle. As there is currently no specific treatment available for Theileriosis, Ms Fox said early detection of the disease is the best chance to reduce stock losses.“Recent spread of Theileriosis in the West Gippsland region has highlighted a need for producers to understand the nature of the disease,” Ms Fox said. “The aim of this workshop is to reiterate what the diseases are, how to diagnose them and also explore management strategies “ Guest presenters will include Dr Neil Charman from Pfizer Animal Health and Dr Grant Nielsen from West Gippsland Veterinary Clinic. It will run from 6.30pm–9.30pm at the Drouin Golf Club, Drouin, and the cost is $15 for VFF members and $25 for non-members, including dinner.

BJD Forum, Paradise Lagoon, Rockhampton, March 4

A Bovine Johne’s Disease forum to be hosted by the Australian Johnes Alliances near Rockhampton on Monday, March 4, will feature speakers from all sides of the eradication versus management debate, and will also home in on key issues such as compensation, and case-studies from producers involved in the current BJD response program in Queensland. The agenda is still to be finalised but at this point it is: 9:30am: registration, morning tea; 10:15am: welcome by Graham Acton; 10:20: outlining of proceedings by the independent chair, Taroom vet Paul Wright; 10:30am: History of Johne’s, Don Lawson; 10:40am: Current position in Queensland – Biosecurity Qld, AgForce, Cattle Council of Australia; ABBA; 11:15am: Current progress with BJD – Silirum Vaccine, Sue Schryver, Pfizer; 11:30am: Independent Veterinarian Advice: David Rendell and John Webb-Ware; 11:45am: Federal Deperatment of Agriculture representative Paul Nixon; 12pm: Lunch; 12:45pm: The breed societies – practicalities for stud breeders; 1pm: What BJD means to producers? Producer case-studies; 1:40pm: What is adequate compensation? Ian Aberdeen; 2pm: Facilitated discussion for all to participate; 3pm: summary of proceedings, facilitator.

Western Qld beef production forums – March 4-7

Pfizer Animal Health will host a series of Western Queensland Beef Production forums early next week at Longreach Distance Education Centre (Monday, March 4); the Blackall Golf Club (Tuesday , March 5);  the Harry Redford Centre, Aramac (Wednesday March 6); and the Alpha Golf Club (Thursday March 7). Speakers include Dr Rob Harms from the Longreach Vet Clinic, speaking on identifying reproductive disease and managing herd fertility in beef herds; Matias Suarez of Pfizer Animal Health, speaking on cutting edge DNA technologies for northern beef herds; Dr Lee Taylor Pfizer Animal Health discussing key preventable reproductive diseases in beef cattle in western Queensland and results from 10 years of data showing analysis of worm egg counts in western Queensland cattle; beef scientist Desiree Jackson from DAFF in Longreach who will talk about improving breeder fertility and weaner condition through utilisation of nutritional management. Each event starts at 10am, and includes complimentary lunch and refreshments.  RSVP by tomorrow, February 28, to Andrew Bodycoat at 0418 492 289 or email Andrew.Bodycoat@pfizer.com

Feeding Options and Opportunities forums, throughout Qld, March 11-20

Mort & Co, together with Meat & Livestock Australia and Coopers Animal Health, will hold a lot feeding forum focusing on “Options and Opportunities in 2013”. Ben Maher, Mort & Co private client manager will explain the ins and outs  of lot feeding as well as the benefits of custom feeding the Mort & Co way. Ben Thomas, MLA beef market analyst – trade and economics, will provide you with the latest forecasts for the beef industry. Coopers Animal Health Australia will explain the benefits of pre-vaccination programs and the importance of designing an HGP program to suit your operation. Two local producers will provide a snapshot of their businesses and share their personal insights. Each 3 hour forum will be interactive and allow time for questions and feedback.  Topics will include Australian supply and production; Grass-fed and grain-fed activity; Beef and veal exports; lot feeding – understanding the ins and outs; Custom feeding – retaining ownership to maximise profits; Backgrounding opportunities; Pre-vaccination and pre-conditioning your feed cattle; Hormone Growth Promotants – designing HGP programs to best suit your operation; Feeding for the EU – where is it heading?; My beef business – a local producer’s perspective; Animal welfare – is it fit to load?. The forums will take place at the Leichhardt Hotel, Taroom, on Monday, March 11 from 9am-1pm; the Grand Hotel at Clermont on Tuesday March 12 from 9am-1pm; the Park Motel, Charters Towers, on Wednesday March 13 from 9am-1pm; Diggers Entertainment Centre, Hughenden, on Thursday March 14 from 9am-1pm; the Gidgee Inn, Cloncurry, on Friday, March 15 from 2-5pm; the North Gregory Hotel, Winton, on Saturday March 16 from 9am-12pm; the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach on Saturday, March 17 from 9am-12pm; the Blackall Golf Club on Monday, March 18 from 9am-12pm; the Paroo Shire Council Supper Room at Cunnamulla on Tuesday, March 19 from 9am-12pm; and the RSL club at St George on Wednesday, March 20 from 9am-12pm. Entry is free and refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 0400 711 009 or (07) 4639 6049 or email.

Ag innovations and NRM conference, Brisbane, March 20

The Ag Institute will host the Innovations in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management conference in The Pavillion in Brisbane on March 20. The Ag Institute Australia is the trading name of the Australian Institute of Agriculture Science and Technology, the peak industry body for agricultural and natural resource management professionals. The conference will focus on exploring innovations in materials and management vital to meeting future challenges in agriculture and NRM.  It is of relevance to everyone working in, or interested in, the future of agriculture including researchers, educators, extension specialists, consultants, NRM officers, agri-business and farmers. Speakers include Queensland agriculture minister John McVeigh, Charles Darwin University Professor Andrew Campbell, QAAFI UQ professor Graeme Hammer, Dr Jonathan Roberts of the CSIRO,  Rhonda Toms-Morgan of QMDC, Tim Neale of FARMPos Pty Ltd,  Dr Mark Trotter of UNE,  Glenn Shepherd, IMAG Consulting and Ag Institute of Australia representatives David Lloyd, Mike Stephens, David Hamilton and Peter Allsopp. Early bird registrations are available until March 6 at a price of $120 for institute members, $180 for non-members and $80 for students. 

Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association annual conference, Alice Springs, March 21-22

The Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association will hold its annual industry conference and annual general meeting in Alice Springs on March 21-22. The conference is attended by more than 400 people including producers, agribusiness and industry leaders from the Northern Territory, Australian states and overseas, and MPs and senior ministers from the NT and federal government.  This year’s order of events is as follows:  Thursday, March 21, 2013: Ladies Luncheon, Annual General Meeting – members only (3:30pm); NTCA Sponsors Drinks – 5pm; Friday, 22 March 2013:  Alice Springs Convention Centre ; 7am: registration;  8am: opening address NTCA President David Warriner; 8.15am: official opening – Senator Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture; 8.30am: Don Close (USA)- Beef and cattle outlook with the USA in mind; 9am: Professor David Hughes (UK): Emerging global consumer trends, demand and buying patterns. What does this mean for us?; 11am: Anthony McClellan – Former 60 Minutes producer offers "media secrets of an insider".  What we can expect and what we need to know; 11.30am: Robbie Sefton (Aust) – How the agricultural sector can better engage to build consumer trust and better inform an urban population; 1.15pm Dr Peter Barnard (MLA) – Industry outlook –  Meeting market specifications; 1.45pm: Dr David Johnston (Aust) – Genetic evaluation and the power of breeding values; 2.15pm: Dr Ian Braithwaite (Aust) – Honing herd production systems; 3pm: Panel of experts – Q&A session; 4.30pm: conference closes; 6:30pm: Cattlemen’s Gala Dinner, Alice Springs Turf Club.