More than 100 of Australasia’s leading livestock agribusiness professionals will gather in Brisbane tomorrow for the invitation-only 2013 Platinum Primary Producers’ (PPP) group annual conference.

Delegates from throughout Australia and New Zealand, comprising the cream of the beef, dairy and sheep industries, will gather for the three-day event to discuss the pertinent issues affecting primary production today.

The conference, now in its seventh year, will be officially opened at Queensland’s Parliament House by Queensland Treasurer, Tim Nicholls and NSW Senator, Fiona Nash.

Speakers will include:

• David Foote, chief executive of Coles’ northern beef supply chain partner, Australian Country Choice
• Troy Setter, chief operating officer of the Australian Agricultural Company
• Rural Leader of the Year, Rob Egerton-Warbuton
• RSPCA chief executive, Heather Neil
• Rangers Valley feedlot chief executive Don Mackay, and
• representatives from NZ dairy giant Fonterra and the ANZ bank.

With ‘inspiration’ as its backdrop, the conference was all about being optimistic, accepting challenges and recognising opportunities, said PPP group chairman, Shane McManaway, general manager of Allflex Australasia.

“The tone of this year’s conference is upbeat and positive. Succeeding in agriculture is hard graft, particularly if weather and market conditions are unfavourable. We all need to be inspired. We’re finding out where the leaders of our industry find their motivation and we’re looking to the tough conditions of the Australian Outback for some inspiration.”

Topics include the challenges facing the beef industry, taking risks in farming, what’s happening in dairy, youth in agriculture, life in the Outback and genetics.

A highlight of the conference is a trip to Beaudesert-based artificial breeding company, Nindooinbah. Associate professor  with Victoria’s Department of Ag biosciences division, Ben Hayes, will speak on what the future looks like in genetics and genomics for beef, dairy and sheep industries.  

Another special guest will be Catriona Williams, director of NZ’s CatWalk Trust and Australian sister-organisation, the Spinal Cord Injury Network (SCIN).

“Catriona is, herself, an inspiration to us all,” Mr McManaway said.

A former NZ equestrian champion, she has been in a wheelchair since 2002, following a devastating horse-riding accident.

“Yet she’s planning on climbing five of Kathmandu’s highest mountains later this year to raise money for spinal injury research. Primary producers are all too familiar with spinal cord injuries and the PPP Group is right behind this cause,” Mr McManaway said.

A charity auction, hosted by Landmark Auctioneer, Joel Fleming, will be held in aid of the CatWalk Trust and SCIN.