Feedback: Your Levies at Work August 2013
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Your levies at work // August 2013 Setting the standard 28// A supply chain focused on MSA 06// Racking up demand Strategies to grow the market for lamb in the US 12// EverGraze regional packages released 16// Taking the bite out of Australia’s wild dog problem 26// Helen Springs PDS Measuring genetic impacts Feedback: Your levies at work August 2013 A note from the MD... roducers across the north continue economies of China and the Middle East to endure severe drought (see pages 6–7). P conditions, with the wet season A serious issue impacting the lamb industry still several months away. However, the in Australia is wild dogs. Featured in this recent good rainfall across most of the edition of Feedback are some examples of south eastern states has lifted confidence how your levy funds are invested into and slowed turnoff, easing the pressure co-operative research centres (CRCs) – on livestock prices. specifically the Invasive Animals CRC to The 2012-13 financial year ended with the reduce the impact of wild dogs. It is the highest recorded export volumes - over one collective investment of funds that make it million tonnes of beef and 200,000 tonnes possible to undertake these large-scale of lamb. The high volumes were largely research projects for the benefit of the driven by increased production due to the whole industry. dry conditions; however, also reflect the Your comments are welcome growing demand for Australian red meat [email protected] across the globe. A feature in this edition covers one of our key focus areas - growing global demand for Australian lamb. Our highest lamb export volumes went to the US, with China and the Middle East close behind. The feature Scott Hansen highlights the opportunities in the US – our MLA Managing Director key lamb market – as well as the growing [email protected] Feedback is produced and Contents published by Meat & Livestock Australia Ltd (ABN 39 081 678 364). The magazine is free to MLA COVER STORY 19 Armed for battle members and available on subscription to non-MLA members 28 The MSA beef journey 20 Scanning for market options at an annual rate of $100 (including Up-FRONT 06 21 Road testing rhizobia GST) within Australia and Racking up $150 overseas. 03 Rising to the challenge 22 Tough new legumes offer flexibility demand MLA acknowledges the matching IN-BRIEF 24 High strength pastures at Beckom funds provided by the Australian 04 World Environment Day award Government to support the 25 Sowing into new territory research and development detailed 04 Lodge your Levies Notice 26 Opening the gate to genetic gains in this publication. 04 New sheep husbandry guide 12 EverGraze 26 N o room for passengers Feedback Reply Paid 906, Locked 05 In profile: Brett Hall Bag 991, North Sydney NSW 2059 GROWING DEMAND E: [email protected] INSIGHT T: 1800 023 100 // F: 02 9463 9393 28 The MSA beef journey 06 F inger lickin’ lamb www.mla.com.au 16 30 What’s cooking? 07 In profile: Brad Farmerie This magazine was printed on Sumo Taking the 31 Recipe: Dukkah lamb with winter Offset Laser, an environmentally INDUSTRY bite out of responsible paper manufactured 08 The science behind the steak roasted vegetable salad and tahini under the environmental Australia’s wild management system ISO 14001 08 Calculating MSA impact 32 Energising the Japanese market using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) 10 T urning hot air into dollars dog problem pulp sourced from sustainable MARKETS forests. Sumo Offset Laser is FSC 11 Climate-clever clover 34 Around the globe Chain of Custody (CoC) certified (mixed sources). ON-FARM 26 35 On the ground: Japan 12 EverGraze goes local Disclaimer: The views expressed in Helen Springs 36 Market observations Feedback are not necessarily those of 14 Growing profits and pasture MLA, its employees or agents. Feedback PDS 36 A ustralia’s beef and lamb exports content is provided as information not as 15 Pastures to improve the bottom line advice and you should make your own 16 G razing dogged by costly invader IN THE FIELD enquiries before making decisions concerning your interests. All material in 17 Biting into profits 38 Past and upcoming events Feedback is copyright. Reproduction of the material is encouraged, however due Cover: MSA cattle producers Don and Alison Cameron of Walcha. Image by Sophie Frazer of Vivid Imagination. acknowledgement to Feedback is required. 03 Up-front Rising to the challenge Six Lachlan Hughes Australian Dulacca, Clermont and cattle and Capella Qld sheep producers are taking up the Marcus Sounness challenge to Amelup WA improve the productivity Andrew Miller and Windorah Qld profitability of their Bill and Georgia Wilson businesses Edi Vic in an initiative launched last month – the MLA Challenge. Matthew Pearce Cootamundra NSW John Ramsay Bothwell Tas he six Challengers, selected from more than Their journeys can be followed at www.mla.com.au/ 40 applicants, are cattle producers Andrew challenge where you will find the latest information, TMiller from Windorah and Lachlan Hughes tools and resources underpinning the MLA Challenge. from Dulacca, Clermont and Capella in Queensland; “MLA invests industry levies into research that aims to Matthew Pearce from Cootamundra, NSW and Bill find new ways to improve the profitability and and Georgia Wilson from Edi, Victoria; and sheep productivity of Australian cattle and sheep enterprises. producers, John Ramsay from Bothwell, Tasmania and This levy-funded research can have proven benefits Marcus Sounness from Amelup, Western Australia. and we want more producers to access it – whether that “Each Challenger is being supported with a business is directly with us or via their local industry experts – coach, producer mentor and a wealth of the latest MLA and we are confident the MLA Challenge will inspire research and industry resources to hone their them to do this,” Peter said. operations,” said Peter Vaughan, MLA’s General Individual goals and improvements on current Manager Livestock Production Innovation. business performance set with each Challenger will be “While the focus will be on the six Challengers measured during the program to determine the taking their own path to success, a key eventual winner. The winner will receive a bursary to component of the program is challenging other support ongoing professional development and Australian beef and lamb producers to consider additional agribusiness services. how they could use these same resources and MLA acknowledges and thanks the support of sponsors – tools to improve their own businesses.” Woolworths, Westpac Agribusiness, QantasLink and offical media partner, Fairfax Agricultural Media. During the year-long challenge, the Challengers will document their progress and share their experiences through both traditional and social media which will www.mla.com.au/challenge allow anyone to track and compare their progress. 04 In-brief World Environment Day award LA’s Target 100 program has continued with win accolades, Mtaking out the United Nations in the Australia World Environment Day Award for Sustainability Education. The awards are held each year in support of World Environment Day on 5 June to recognise Australian achievements in the environment, social justice and media. Australia, Australian Meat Industry Council, The awards play an important role in raising Australian Lot Feeders’ Association and awareness about environmental issues and Australian Meat Processor Corporation. challenges, and inspiring and motivating individuals and organisations to take positive steps towards sustainability and Share your story on sustainability and join producers all around Australia by environmental excellence. signing up to Target 100. Go to Target 100 is an initiative to deliver www.target100.com.au MLA General Manager Industry Communications sustainable cattle and sheep farming by www.unaavictoria.org.au/ and Engagement Karen Hellwig receives the awards-programs/world- 2020. It is driven by Australian cattle and Sustainability Education award for the Target environment-day-awards/ sheep producers through MLA, Cattle 100 program from Sally Barnes, NSW Office of winners-finalists/ Council of Australia, Sheepmeat Council of Environment Chief Executive. Lodge your New sheep husbandry guide heep producers can now access a Levies Notice handy guide on sheep husbandry LA members are encouraged Spractices. to obtain their full voting Developed by the Sheepmeat Council of Mrights for this year’s AGM by Australia in conjunction with MLA, submitting their Levies Notice by post A producer’s guide to sheep husbandry or online. practices features best-practice techniques All MLA members will receive a Levies for well-known husbandry practices. Notice by mail in the next few weeks. By The guide aims to help producers provide returning this notice or lodging online, good health, welfare and management A producer’s guide to sheep husbandry members inform MLA of the amount of outcomes for their livestock by drawing practices levies paid last financial year. together information from a range of This is voluntary, but it is important that research projects and on-farm experiences. members lodge their levies to receive Sheepmeat Council of Australia president The guide details practices to help their full voting entitlement for all Ian McColl said the guide provides up-to- producers achieve a high standard of meetings and polls held in 2013-14, in date information on best known practices. animal welfare, workplace health and safety, particular this year’s AGM. “Animal