Transformation forum showcases industry innovation

Red meat and livestock industry innovators who are transforming their businesses with new technology and systems will take centre stage at a special Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) forum ‘Transformation is coming…is your business ready?’ on 21 November in Canberra.

The forum is being held as part of the industry’s flagship event, Red Meat 2018, from 20-23 November.

The panel of innovators will discuss the changes now underway in the industry with MLA General Manager – MDC, Research, Development and Innovation, Sean Starling, and MLA General Manager – Producer Consultation and Adoption, Michael Crowley.

Forum panellists will include

• Tom Maguire, General Manager Corporate Services, Teys Australia
• Peter Greenham, Managing Director, Greenham Ag
• Jenny O'Sullivan, Malabar Farm, Gippsland, Victoria
• Sally Martin, CEO, MerinoLink
• Kara Knudsen, Knudsen Cattle, Mundubbera, Queensland
• David Foote, CEO, Australian Country Choice
• Juy Hepner, Director, Crazy Dragon are spearheading the transformation that’s happening in the way red meat is produced, traded and processed,” Mr Starling said.

“New technology and the ability to share real-time, objective information across the supply chain is challenging old conventions and vested interests – and opening up new, profitable opportunities.

“Most of Australia’s processing capacity has now been costed for the new DEXA objective carcase measurement tool, already in use in three of the biggest plants and enabling big productivity gains from processing automation and real transparency in sharing carcase yield information with producers.”

Mr Crowley said transformation is also coming to Meat Standards Australia (MSA), with the world-leading eating quality grading system to be further enhanced in coming months.

“Consumers are willing to pay more if satisfied. Customer specifications are evolving to better meet consumer expectations and more participants in the supply chain will be able to pass eating quality feedback to producers enabling data to drive decisions,” Mr Crowley said.

“MLA is developing new objective measures for yield and eating quality for livestock and new objective systems for monitoring animal health for use both pre and post farm gate with the ultimate aim of creating value based pricing.

“With these tools at their fingertips, livestock producers will have the opportunity to transform their operations, by breeding and finishing more profitable herds and flocks.”

Red Meat 2018 is a free event but registration is essential to assist with planning and catering requirements.

For more information on the full Red Meat 2018 program and to register, please visit www.redmeat.mla.com.au.