Southern beef producers will have a unique opportunity to hear from leading Australian and international industry experts at a “Beef School” to be held in Victoria in October.

The Beef School commences at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus with a
dinner on Monday night, October 10 which will be addressed by Dr Paul Cusack on “Animal Welfare – community expectations, compliance and the livestock industry”.

Tuesday’s presentations include the global beef outlook. managing a highly efficient and profitable beef enterprise, hay and silage production, live animal assessment and meeting a market specification, and pasture utilisation and growth.

Expert speakers include Tim McRae from Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), Sandy
McEachern from Holmes Sackett, Dr Rod Manning from Mike Stephens and Associates,
DPI’s Frank Mickan, Greg Ferrier, Dougal Purcell and Alison Desmond, Dick Whale from Dick Whale Breeding Services), and Cheryl Graham from Farminganswers.

A highlight will be an address by professor Mike Goddard, a world-leading animal geneticist.

“Professor Goddard is at the forefront of developing new genetic technologies globally. He
also has an ability to describe current and future genetic selection tools in a very practical and understandable manner,” Mr Purcell said.

An initiative of DPI, Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE), The University of
Melbourne, and MLA, the conference costs $40 (conference only) or $125 inclusive of
accommodation and dinner. Discounts apply for businesses with multiple attendees.

Commercial Manager of Agriculture at GOTAFE, Leigh Kildey, said a key element of the event was the practical nature of the program, including the use of live animals and outside
activities.

• For further information contact Alison Desmond on 0409 424 274 or Dougal Purcell on 0428 563 309. RSVPs can be directed by October 3 to Belinda Drury at GOTAFE, by email bdrury@gotafe.vic.edu.au or telephone (03) 5723 6137 or 0459 502 760.