MLA Producer Forum speaker videos

Watch the full line-up of speakers at MLA's 'Delivering value and driving change' Producer Forum, held on Wednesday 6 May.

 Industry experts talked on topics such as:

        -    lifting profitability in the northern beef industry 

        -    the latest research into improving reproductive performance 

        -    using the MSA Index in northern production systems

        -    understanding consumer perceptions of beef and growing consumer loyalty

Seminar synopsis:

Providing the platform to meet industry’s potential

Richard Norton – Managing Director, MLA

What role does MLA play in addressing the challenges faced by the Australian beef industry? What does the future of your levy look like and how can industry influence its investment? As industry’s marketing and R&D services provider, what is your company doing to deliver value back to your business? Get the facts about the future of MLA and what it means for you.

Northern Beef Situation Analysis – insights and recommendations

Dr Phil Holmes – Holmes & Co

As one of the authors of the Northern Beef Situation Analysis, Phil will present the key findings and insights from the analysis of 12 years of financial data for Northern beef producers; discussing those factors that separated the top 25% of producers from the rest; and what areas of management all producers should be focusing on to improve their profitability.

View Dr Phil Holmes' presentation slides

Improving Reproduction – findings and recommendations from the latest research and development (R&D)

Geoff Niethe - FurtureBeef

Speaker will provide an overview of the findings and management recommendations from recent reproduction research and development supported by MLA including the Beef CRC and the Cash CashCow and Breeder Mortality projects.

View Geoff Niethe's presentation slides

Improving Reproduction – the Wambiana Station story

Michael Lyons – Wambiana Station

Following the discussions of Geoff's presentation, Michael will provide a producer perspective on reproduction – discussing what management changes the Lyons family has made and what they are planning for the future to improve reproduction performance on the family property, Wambiana Station, located south of Charters Towers.

View Michael Lyons' presentation slides

The Australian Beef Language Review and its impact on the beef industry

Dr Alex Ball

Alex will provide an overview of the content of the Australian Beef Language Review White Paper and the proposed changes to the Australian beef language; and address the opportunities for the beef industry in underpinning beef language with rigorous science.

View Dr Alex Ball's presentation slides

Using the MSA Index in northern production systems

Jessira Perovic – Project Manager for Eating Quality Data Analytics, MLA

This presentation will showcase the performance of the northern beef herd with regards to the MSA Index and compliance – highlighting trends in eating quality performance and conformance.

View Jessira Perovic's presentation slides

MSA in Action – the Oombabeer story

Debbie McBryde – Oombabeer Station

Following on from the discussions of Jessira’s presentation, Debbie will provide a MSA producer perspective based on her experiences at her property Oombabeer, 70km west of Moura. Debbie will discuss how her herd of 600-700 Brahman steers constantly achieves high eating quality results and how adopting a holistic-style of management and prioritising animal welfare contributes to the consistent production of quality beef.

View Debbie McBryde's presentation slides

Growing consumer loyalty in the domestic beef market

Andrew Howie – Marketing Manager Consumer Programs, MLA

The future success of beef in the domestic market relies on being able to grow our base of loyal consumers. There is already an established base of beef loyalists, but unless we can remain relevant to families seeking quick, easy and healthy meals; we risk losing ground to competitive proteins. This presentation will provide an insight into the relevance of beef to the Australian consumer as we move towards 2020.

View Andrew Howie's presentation slides

Does the community have a beef with beef?

Pip Band – Manager Community Engagement, MLA

Today we see increasing activity from activist groups, customers setting the standards for what is acceptable in beef production and a community that is well removed from agriculture. Does this mean the community has a beef with beef? This presentation will provide an overview of the community research undertaken by MLA and explore the long term risks to the industry and what they mean for individual producers.  

View Pip Band's presentation slides

Forum chair: central Queensland beef producer and MLA Board Director, Geoff Maynard

Download a PDF version of the full MLA Producer Forum and speaker bios HERE