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Spyglass Research Station to host BeefUp Forum

14 August 2018

North Queensland beef producers can hear how genetics and new technologies can boost the performance of their herds at Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) BeefUp Forum at Spyglass Research Station via Charters Towers on 7 September.
 
The forum will feature a range of guest speakers addressing regionally relevant issues with a focus on genetics and using technology to build a better beef business. A number of trade displays and practical demonstrations will also feature.
 
Hosted by MLA and supported by the North Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC) and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), the forum is also designed to seek direct input from producers to help drive the future direction of levy-payer funded research, development and adoption (RD&A) programs.
 
MLA Managing Director Richard Norton will provide an update on MLA’s latest RD&A programs relevant to northern beef producers.
 
Topics and presenters include:

  • Genetics for improved reproductive performance and profit: a producer perspective – Russell Lethbridge, Werrington Station, Einasleigh, North Queensland
  • Driving genetic change in reproduction:
    • Repronomics project – David Johnston, University of New England and Tim Grant, DAF
    • Northern beef genomics project – Ben Hayes, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
    • Applying genetic technologies – Paul Williams and Tim Emery, Tropical Beef Technology Services and Russell Lyons, NeoGen
  • Practical demonstration of genomic predictions and key industry messages - Repronomics cattle on display with defined breeding values
  • Producers identifying RD&A priorities - Lee Fitzpatrick, NABRC Chair and Barb Bishop, MLA BeefUp Forum Coordinator
  • Technology building a better beef business (concurrent sessions and trade displays):
    • Animal welfare – Dr Alan Guilfoyle, Australian Cattle Veterinarians
    • Drones: Hitachi process intelligence – drones, cameras, sensors, data analysis transforming production – Owen Keates
    • Promising pastures – Kendrick Cox, DAF
    • Genetic technologies: tips and tools – Tim Emery, Paul Williams and Russell Lyons
  • Beef business management: value of reproductive genetics and production technology in building a productive business – Ian McLean, Bush Agribusiness

The BeefUp Forum runs from 8.30am to 5pm and the cost to attend is $20, which includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a barbecue dinner. Registration is essential by 1 September.
 
Register here
 
Bus transfers will be available from Charters Towers and Townsville.
 
For more information contact Barb Bishop on 0408 999 009 or email Barb.
 
In the lead up to the BeefUp Forum is a three-day Breeding EDGE workshop in Charters Towers. The workshop is designed to assist producers to improve and refine their breeder herd management and genetic improvement plans, and will be held on 30 and 31 August, and 6 September.
 
Find out more information