The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan this week talks with Ian McConnel, the Australian-born president of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.

From a well-known Queensland grazing family, Ian studied animal science at UQ Gatton and then meat science at Colorado State University. He worked as a DPI livestock extension officer for almost a decade, during which time he was named Australian Rural Youth Ambassador and Cattle Council of Australia’s Beef Industry Rising Champion.

In 2012 Ian joined the World Wildlife Fund For Nature Australia to lead the environmental organisation’s engagement with the Australian beef industry, before being promoted to WWF’s global beef industry lead in 2014. Last year Mr McConnel joined Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest protein companies, as the director of sustainability for Tyson’s international business unit.

In a wide ranging discussion, Ian and Kerry explore livestock’s opportunities and challenges in an increasingly sustainability-conscious world.

Ian McConnell

Sponsoring our Weekly Grill podcast series are Kelly’s Finance Group and Elanco Animal Health.

Previous episodes:

• Australia’s chief vet Mark Schipp, on Lumpy Skin Disease and other key biosecurity issues
• Herron Todd White’s Tim Lane
• RCS’s Terry McCosker on carbon
• Beef processing plant manager Wasa Mudannayake
• Head of asset performance for Macquarie Group’s MIRA Agriculture division, including Paraway Pastoral Co, Jock Whittle
• Veteran beef industry leader David Crombie
• Beef Central’s regular live export market commentator and columnist Dr Ross Ainsworth
• Cattle market wrap with TEM’s Matt Dalgleish and Stockco’s Chris Howie
• Australian meat Industry Council’s Patrick Hutchinson
• Agriculture Minister  David Littleproud
• Council of Australia president Markus Rathsmann
• Patrick Warmoll, the boss of Jack’s Creek Wagyu
• Veteran pastoral company executive Roger Halliwell
• Retired non-packer beef exporter, Richard Rains
• Carbon trading expert Toby Grogan from Impact Agriculture
• Red Meat Advisory Council chair John McKillop
• Stud cattle showing identities Gary Noller and Rob Sinnamon
• Veteran Victorian cattle buyer David Ronalds
• Beef processing legend ACC’s David Foote
• Live export class action facilitator Tracey Hayes
• Signature Beef’s Blair Angus
• Consolidated Pastoral Co chief and Livecorp chairman Troy Setter
• Nutrition scientist and MLA board member Manny Noakes
• CCA independent northern and southern directors Alice Greenup and Olivia Lawson
• Australian Agricultural Co head Hugh Killen
• Sydney independent red meat retailer Stephen Kelly
• lotfeeder Charlie Mort
• Processor and supply chain manager, Terry Nolan
• Livestock transport operator Ross Fraser
• Organic supply chain manager Alister Ferguson

The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Kelly’s Finance Group and Elanco Animal Health.