There will be a strong showing of Federal and State/Territory politicians at next Tuesday’s major northern Australian regional cattle industry forum being held in Mt Isa.
Newly appointed Federal agriculture minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, has now agreed to attend, making his first official visit to the region to address the audience and take questions.
Later in the revised program, Shadow minister for agriculture John Cobb will also make a presentation.
NT politicians are yet to commit to attendance, but Queensland agriculture minister John McVeigh will open the conference as part of an extensive northwest region visit.
The Northern Beef Steakholder Form is a joint initiative of Cattle Council of Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, AgForce Queensland and the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association.
Already more than 120 registrations have been received, suggesting a large audience of producers will be in attendance by next Tuesday.
The free six-hour forum will provide an overview of cattle industry structures and how moves to restructure the industry are progressing, updates on northern research and development and market access, including live export; the new Pasturefed Cattle Assurance System, education on social media, as well as an open panel Q&A session with industry leaders.
A range of organisations will also have stands at the forum including the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority, the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Rural Financial Counselling Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The RFDS will also have a doctor and nurse available to talk to delegates about well-being issues throughout the day, while a rural financial counsellor will be on hand to help people set up home meetings following the forum.
The range of expertise available will also mean that producers will be able to receive any information they need about drought assistance in one place.
Other speakers lined-up for the forum include Cattle Council of Australia chief executive officer Jed Matz; AgForce Queensland chief executive officer Charles Burke; NTCA executive director Luke Bowen; Meat & Livestock Australia Indonesia region manager John Ackerman; MLA on-farm production manager Wayne Hall; National Farmers Federation vice president Brent Finlay; Australian Livestock Exporters Council chief executive officer Alison Penfold; Northern Territory Live Export Association chief executive officer Bernie Brosnan; University of Queensland researcher Dr Wendy Williams and Rayner Ag founder Alastair Rayner.
The open forum will be facilitated by Beef Central publisher Jon Condon.
Details:
The Northern Beef Steakholder forum will be held at the Mount Isa Civic Centre from 11am to 5pm on Tuesday, July 23, followed by a networking function at which all are welcome.
The forum is free but registration is essential – RSVPs by July 17 to 02 6269 5600 or email cca@cattlecouncil.com.au
Buses have been organised from Hughenden and Longreach return, as well as a courtesy pick up from the Mt Isa Airport.