Beefing it up at Cloncurry
10 June 2016
Southern Gulf beef producers can check the pulse of their business, access new technologies and get a handle on the latest industry research at a forum at Cloncurry on 23 June, 2016.
The BeefUp Showcase is part of a series held throughout northern Australia.
These BeefUp days are developed by Regional Beef Research Committee (RBRC) members in collaboration with MLA, to ensure topics are relevant to local producers. The Cloncurry event is a partnership with the Southern Gulf Resource Management Group.
The forum will include a session where producers can have their say about regional research and development (R&D) needs.
“The R&D priorities feedback session reflects MLA’s focus on grassroots consultation,” BeefUp coordinator Barb Bishop said.
“It is an opportunity for local producers to provide input into the direction of local and industry research.”
This producer input will be used to set MLA’s research priorities, via the Northern Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC) – an independent organisation made up of producer representatives, research organisations and education providers.
As well as providing an update on the latest red meat industry R&D and adoption activities, the Cloncurry BeefUp event will explore hot topics such as foreign investment in rural property and domestic and export market conditions.
The event has a strong focus on practical tips and tools. An ‘information hub’ will give producers a first-hand look at products such as the StockTake Plus app for monitoring pasture conditions and stocking rates, services in property mapping property mapping, and information about weed control.
The event also provides a forum where producers can step away from their day-to-day management and take a critical look at their business.
Ian McLean, who delivers MLA’s BusinessEdge workshops in northern and pastoral regions, will provide a taste of this financial training program when he presents at Cloncurry.
Ian will guide producers through the key drivers of profit for beef herds and focus on what they can control to improve performance.
“It sounds counter-intuitive, but beef price received is not a true driver of profit because it is out of producers’ control,” Ian explained.
“I will focus on how producers can measure their success over time using factors which are in their control, such as cost of production, reproduction rates, herd productivity, mortality rates, matching stocking rate to carrying capacity and sale weights.”
Event details
Cloncurry BeefUp: Thursday 23 June, 9.30-6pm, followed by a BBQ dinner
Cost: $20 per person includes morning and afternoon teas, lunch and dinner
RSVP: By 21 June, register online
