Independent meat analyst Simon Quilty talking to the RMA network conference.

INDEPENDENT livestock agents from across the country have gathered on the Gold Coast this week to gain some insight into the current market and what lies ahead.

About 70 people were in attendance, with plenty of talk about the fall in prices in the past six months and difficulty in predicting the road ahead.

Meat analyst Simon Quilty ran the conference through the long-term outlook predicting prices to gradually increase – with plenty of meat still in cold storage and struggling to clear in the short-term.

The speech opened the floor to the agents in attendance, with many giving mixed reports of the current seasonal conditions. Some said they had seen some good winter rain, while many New South Wales agents talked about the increase in cows going to slaughter as conditions dry out.

The conference will hear more market analysis this afternoon with representatives from JBS making presentations and RMA representatives giving a “network masterclass”.

• Beef Central will have more on Simon Quilty’s outlook next week

Faces at the conference

Tracey Nisbet and Holly Smith from Creek Livestock in Mount Gambier with Antony Glynn from Glynn Agriculture in Moree (middle).

Sam Barnsley, Donavan Livestock and Property in Grafton, Ben McMahon, Colin Say & Co in Inverell and Peter Baldwin from the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association.

Simon Quilty with Michael Unthank from BUR Agency in Albury.

Matthew Hawker, H Francis and Co, Jack Tolmie from Holman Tolmie and Stuart Kyle from Westechag Kyle Livestock.

Jordan Sim and Georgia Snell from Alex Scott & Staff with Chris Schmidt from CS Livestock.