BEEF21 updates
Posted on May 4th, 2021
BEEF AUSTRALIA 2021 – FAST FACTS
- The event has a geographical footprint 20% larger than the previous years, because of the addition of the Tech Yards.
- The estimated value for Commercial Cattle at the event is $3 million – Approx. 1700 head
- The estimated value for Stud Cattle at the event just under $20 million – they. Have travelled from SA, VIC, NSW, and QLD (approx. 1700 stud cattle entries, 76 Junior Led Steers, 720 entries in Junior events)
- 84 Exhibitors for the Beef Carcase Competition (20 processing plants – 810 head of cattle nominated)
- 4,000 cubic metres of Sawdust
- 454 Trade Fair Exhibits
- 35 Food Outlets
- Over 800 staff, volunteers, and contractors.
- Approx. 2000 meals will be served to volunteers over the week
- Approx. 14,000 meals served at Functions throughout the week.
- 34 Seminars and Symposiums during the event.
- There are 48 different ticketed events
- 22 events in The Ken Coombe Tech Yards
- National line-up of Celebrity Chefs from QLD, VIC, TAS, ACT, SA, NSW, NT, WA
- Introduction of “Butcher Girl” who led the carcase breakdown for the Nose to Tail Dinner
BEEF21 has seen tremendous support with 31,545 people through the gates for Ian Weigh People’s Day.
Monday’s highlights included:
NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK COMMERCIAL CATTLE
https://beefaustralia.com.au/beef-australia-2021-young-commercial-judge-competition/
CQUNIVERSITY SYMPOSIUM
The CQ University Symposium ignited the audience’s imagination for where the future of the Australian beef industry is headed. Over the Horizon was a cumulation of some of the best international thought provoking speakers in agribusiness.
Symposium chair, Sarah Becker commented that Barry Irvin, CEO of Bega, left the audience speechless with his humbling story of building an iconic agricultural business.
“Barry had an amazing, unique focus on leadership through a very different lens,” said Ms Becker.
“His relatable and grassroots beginning took the audience on a real journey as were given a really candid insight into not only his business, but the man himself.”
Andy Penny, CEO of Telstra outlined the telecommunications giant’s vision for the betterment of connectivity to rural and regional Australia, starting with a $200 million investment fund for telecommunications projects.
Other speakers included Elizabeth O’Leary, Head of Agriculture Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, Macquarie Bank, Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Specialist, Department of Animal Science, University of California, Laura Ryan, Meat Business Women and Nick Klomp, Vice Chancellor CQ University Australia.
THE GREAT PRODUCT LAUNCHES
The great product launch on the Rabotruck stage has seen the launch of three innovative new products that will change the way beef operators do business across Australia and the world. Ceres Tag, Agri Web and Opti Weigh all launched new products today.
The Opti Weigh unit means producers can get accurate weights and know when their cattle are ready to sell from the paddock, reducing the need for a muster.
Ceres Tag launched its smart satellite ear tag, a product which is already selling around the world. The tag allows producers to get real time data on the location of their cattle, for example, if they are in the wrong paddock. It also enables managers to see where their cattle are grazing, and where the most pressure is in their paddocks. Agri Web enables the integration of both of these products helping producers to put all their data in one place.
The tech yards talks also heard from experts speaking about everything from how drones can change your business, to making smarter decisions based on climate predictions. The Great Product Launch continues tomorrow along with a line-up of speakers chosen to inspire today’s beef producers.
NUTRIEN LIVESTOCK COMMERCIAL CATTLE
The results are in for the 33rd Nutrien Livestock Commercial Cattle Competition.
Over 1600 head of Australia’s finest commercial cattle were judged at the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange (CQLX) at Gracemere on Sunday 2 May and then sold on Monday 3 May at the Sale of Champions.
Elders Livestock National Manager, Peter Homann was at the Sale of Champions and said, “they were a wonderful line up of cattle for the commercial sale and beef prices have never been better. Cattle market is very strong. The demand for Australian beef is also very strong during what has been some very tough times.”
In the Commercial Cattle Competition, cattle were judged across 12 classes – six grainfed and six grassfed. Classes which suit export, ox, trade and restaurant cattle and varied according to weight range, dentition and market suitability.
The competition provided producers with a unique opportunity to benchmark their finest stock against national standards which is important to ensure the industry continues to produce the best and remains productive and profitable.
Beef Australia 2021 thanks the Chairman of Commercial Cattle, Mark Howard, and participating agents and judges for their time to deliver this industry showcase.
WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHTS
PITCH IN THE PADDOCK
Black Box Co, a data analytics company tailor-made for the beef industry took out the top prize at evokeAG’s Pitch in the Paddock competition.
Vying against a strong contingent of eight other beef industry innovators, founders Emma Black and Shannon Speight pitched their idea for a $10,000 prize.
Alex McCauley, CEO of Startup Aus was the chief judge for the competition.
“We had nine amazing pitches including everything from castration knives to predicative analytics using big data,” he said.
“There is some fantastic technology supporting innovation in the beef industry currently.”
In the Next Generation Forum, Angus Street from AuctionsPlus made opening remarks focused on leadership. The forum aims to help shape the future leaders of the industry – an important focus for Beef Australia.
Industry representation and being proactive were strong themes throughout the morning.
The forum included a presentation with members of an Advancing Beef Leaders (ABL) program, who were joined by Senator for Queensland, Susan McDonald, who grew up on a station in western Queensland.
ABL participant Jane Weir said, “We want more people to be involved in groups and organisations and be part of the decision making and idea generation, for the industry.”
“Too often we hear about what’s wrong with the industry. It’s important we are prepared to stand up and be part of the solution.”
Rabobank’s Matt Hood spoke about making personal contributions to industry. He suggested young people ask those around them for help or ideas which will help them to be stronger leaders.
KEN COOMBE TECH YARDS NEWS
In one of the most exciting presentations on the Rabobank stage, Professor Ben Hayes from the University of Queensland, and veterinarian, Ced Wise spoke to a near future where genomic predictions will enable producers to select bulls that will produce the most fertile offspring.
Professor Hayes has been collaborating with a number of cattle producers who have been taking DNA samples from their animals to get the data needed to drive such a huge industry leap forward. There is much excitement in cattle circles about the efficiencies that can be achieved when the trial technology is delivered and tests in the yards will be able to predict the traits of an animal.
One of the top 100 women in technology globally, Doctor Jane Thomasen, laid out her vision for a future where northern Australia is a tech hub, and the current migration of talent south begins to reverse. She challenged beef producers to think outside the their comfort zones and embrace industry leaders that will disrupt and take a long term vision for the region.
