Cattle Council of Australia’s recent release of its preferred restructure model will provide an additional dimension to discussions during an upcoming regional beef producer forum to be held in Launceston this month.

Under its proposal released for discussion earlier this month  (see Beef Central’s earlier summary here), CCA plans to deliver both greater representation for all cattle producers across Australia, as well as a more robust funding base to finance peak council operations, through a model that will for the first time include a component for direct grassroots producer membership of CCA.

The Australian beef industry is a diverse and dynamic industry with seasonal conditions, markets, enterprise scale, industry priorities and producer issues varying considerably across the continent.

As the nation’s peak grassfed industry representative body, Cattle Council of Australia has been consulting with producers across the continent on industry structures.

The upcoming Launceston producer forum on Tuesday, September 24 will follow earlier similar gatherings as far north to Mt Isa in northwest Queensland, east to Casino in northern NSW, south to Bendigo, Vic and west to Naracoorte, South Australia.

The Tasmania beef producer forum will be held at The Tramsheds in Launceston on Tuesday, 24 September, from 11.30am.

CCA president Andrew Ogilvie said the producer forums were providing another consultative mechanism for Cattle Council to engage in two-way dialogue directly with grassroots Australian beef cattle producers across the nation.

The Tasmanian forum, open to all beef producers, will provide an overview of the cattle industry structure including the CCA restructure process; the new Pasturefed Cattle Assurance System; and updates from Meat & Livestock Australia on industry systems including the MSA program and current beef market information, he said.

Towards the end of program, an open panel session called ‘The Roast of the Island’, will be facilitated by Beef Central publisher, Jon Condon, providing Tasmanian beef producers with an opportunity to ask questions about the industry’s current and proposed structures and management.

“Ideas and feedback collated from the forum will be used by Cattle Council to complement future industry planning processes – that’s why it is so important that we hear from producers across the country,” Mr Ogilvie said.

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis, said TFGA was delighted to be involved in planning and delivering the Tassie forum.

“The free one day event is open to all beef cattle producers and I strongly encourage Tasmanian producers to come along to this information exchange and to utilise it as an opportunity to talk directly with Cattle Council,” Ms Davis said.

Following the forum there will be networking drinks from 5pm.

• Event: CCA Tasmania Beef Producer Forum
• When: Tuesday, 24 September
• Where: The Tramsheds, Launceston, TAS
• Time: 11.30am-5pm, with registration and morning tea from 10.30am

Registration is essential, please RSVP by 17 September. Call (02) 6269 5600 or email cca@cattlecouncil.com.au to register.