MLA – FOSTERING PROSPERITY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 IN MARKET ON FARM SUPPLY CHAIN 2018 OUTLOOK DATA-DRIVEN INNOVATION OFFAL INVESTIGATIONS 7 20 37 A NOTE FROM THE MD… MLA fosters the long-term prosperity of the Australian red meat and livestock industry by delivering world-class research, development and marketing outcomes. It’s going to be a big year for Then, on 20–21 November MLA will hold the Australian red meat and the industry’s flagship event,Red Meat livestock industry. 2018, in Canberra. Just like Alice Springs last year, this will be a showcase of Cover: Darren Swain from It’s also a milestone year for MLA, with the latest research, development and Gunnedah, NSW has been 2018 marking two decades since the exploring the practical applications marketing initiatives and the region. of drones on farm. (Page 24) company’s inception in 1998. That’s 20 years of delivering research, development In my three and a half years as Managing and marketing services to Australia’s cattle, Director of MLA, I’ve met more than sheep and goat producers in collaboration 25,000 levy payers and will continue Have your say! with the Australian Government and the to engage with grassroots producers We’d love to hear from you red meat and livestock industry. face-to-face in 2018. [email protected] This year also represents the halfway mark At a local level, MLA has also updated 02 9463 9333 on the five-year path to achieving the goals our Bred Well Fed Well workshops to focus on cattle enterprises as well as mla.com.au set out in the Meat Industry Strategic Plan 2020. The MLA team continues to work sheep (mla.com.au/bredwellfedwell), @meatandlivestockaustralia tirelessly to achieve our key performance project funding for our Producer @meatlivestock indicators – set by you, the industry – and Demonstration Sites program is now available (mla.com.au/pds) and the meatandlivestock as you’ll know from reading Feedback magazine, reporting on these outcomes popular BeefUp Forums are kicking off is also a top priority of MLA’s. I have every again in northern Australia (mla.com.au/ confidence that we’ll continue to foster the events). Producers can also participate prosperity of our industry as we pursue on in MLA’s Profitable Grazing Systems, a Feedback is produced and program which drives improved business published by Meat & Livestock the path paved by the strategic plan. Australia Ltd (ABN 39 081 678 364). performance outcomes through a whole- MLA is supporting a number of major farm approach (mla.com.au/pgs). MLA acknowledges the matching industry events throughout 2018. funds provided by the Australian In 2018, MLA will continue to pursue Government to support the In May, Australia’s cattle capital its vision to be the recognised leader research and development detailed Rockhampton will host the largest beef in this publication. in delivering world-class research, expo in the southern hemisphere – development and marketing outcomes This magazine was printed on Sumo Beef Australia. The triennial event will Offset Laser, an environmentally that benefit the Australian red meat and responsible paper manufactured feature a packed program complete livestock industry and ensuring that under the environmental management with trade sites, competitions, seminars, every dollar spent is invested where it system ISO 14001 using Elemental property tours and social events. matters most. Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp sourced from sustainable forests. Sumo To hear more about why you should go As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts Offset Laser is FSC Chain of Custody along, check out Beef Australia Chair (CoC) certified (mixed sources). on MLA and, of course Feedback Blair Angus’ Q&A on page 4. magazine so we can make the most of Disclaimer: In August, Perth, WA will celebrate the the exciting year ahead. The views expressed in Feedback are not necessarily those of MLA, Australian sheep industry’s equivalent its employees or agents. Feedback conference, LambEx. content is provided as information not as advice and you should make your MLA is proud to be a principal partner of own enquiries before making decisions concerning your interests. All material in both these important events and we've Richard Norton Feedback is copyright. Reproduction of organised a strong program of our own MLA Managing Director the material is encouraged, however due acknowledgement to Feedback is required. at each of them. E: [email protected] CONTENTS COVER STORY 24 Bird’s eye view IN BRIEF 4 Blair Angus on Beef Australia 2018 4 Janine hits the carcase judging trail 5 Summer lamb campaign 5 At your service 7 Industry projections – what lies ahead? 7 Who’s buying our meat? NUTRITION 6 Eating for the environment 5 15 COMPLIANCE 8 Streamlining integrity compliance 8 Software providers offering eNVDs ON FARM NATIONAL 10 Digging into dieback 10 Learn more about lambs online 11 Feedlot forecast improves 11 Goat guidance boosted 12 Over the fence 15 Cultivating aspiring farmers 20 Ready to ‘meat’ the future 21 Next gen thinking 28 Meeting different markets 30 Seeds sown for better pest solutions 34 Making MSA-driven gains 28 NORTHERN CATTLE 18 Putting a stop to poisoning 19 The personal toll of pimelea 22 Delving into data 26 Northern focus on fertility SOUTHERN CATTLE 32 Checking out the global feedbase SHEEP 16 Resource Flock advancing the industry 16 Sheep genetics – what’s on the way? 17 Data-driven performance 25 Win-win: gaining stock feed while reducing weeds SUPPLY CHAIN 42 37 Getting the inside view 38 Getting to know our Livestock Market Officers IN MARKET 40 Putting meat on Asia’s growing plate 41 Cooking up a storm 42 Riding the organic boom 44 Digging deeper in the UAE 46 Around the world and back again 47 Serving up the last of summer 44 47 3 IN BRIEF Blair Angus on Beef Australia 2018 ustralia’s national beef expo, of which MLA is a principal partner, is considered one of the world’s Agreat cattle events and is held once every three years at Rockhampton, Queensland. Here Feedback talks to Beef Australia’s Chair, Blair Angus (pictured), about the event and why it’s a must-attend for Australian beef producers. Janine hits What makes Beef Australia When do the cattle competition 2018 so exciting? entries close? the carcase It’s the 30th anniversary of Beef You still have until 23 March to Australia. The event has grown get entries in for the commercial from a unique showcase of our competition, or until 30 April judging trail local cattle industry to being a for junior events in the stud globally-recognised extravaganza competition. The final slaughter MLA’s Janine Lau has been keeping to celebrate the entire beef date for the carcase competition pretty cool in the lead-up to Beef supply chain. is also in March, so there’s still Australia 2018. time to have your herd participate Who should be interested on a national stage in front of an The Meat Standards Australia (MSA) in attending the expo? international audience. There’s Research and Development and Integrity It has something for everyone also the young judge and Manager (pictured), is the judge of the Beef and it’s my firm belief that if parader competitions. Australia 2018 National Carcase Competition you’ve ever eaten a piece of and before 1 April will visit 21 processing beef, you’re a part of this industry. Is it too late to plan a trip? facilities to grade the entries. Australian producers head to the The popularity of Beef Australia show in droves. It’s an unrivalled means that you should plan now A MSA senior grader, Janine first took opportunity to learn more, to and get in touch, whether it’s on the judging task for the event at Beef benchmark and to network. online, on social media or over the Australia 2015. The 2018 event has seen the Customers from Australia and telephone. The team is here to help. introduction of new yield prediction analysis, around the world now see Beef meaning more accurate yield feedback. Australia as a place to go to open “The last competition introduced the up new market opportunities and MSA Index to measure the eating quality to build business relationships. component and this time we’ll add yield What’s new to Beef Australia prediction,” she said, adding this would offer this year? entrants the chance to see just how futuristic The program keeps expanding carcase feedback systems would work. – the trick is fitting it all into one More than 500 head will be judged for week. An exciting part for me is the competition, with specific kill dates the focus on the future. We’ve nominated by processors to fit with periods grown the celebrity chef program of grass and grainfed turn-off. Janine will and we’re introducing the Young carry out judging in every state. Chef Ambassador competition, where a lucky young chef is given T: 07 4922 2989 “The competition guidelines have been created embracing the latest science, which the opportunity to work with some E: beefexpo@beefaustralia. makes it really exciting,” she said. global talents. It’s about sharing com.au ideas on how to make beef “It’s a great opportunity to benchmark your the star. beefaustralia.com.au herd against the best in the country.” To find out more about Our Graeme Acton mentor Winners will be announced at an awards program is back, and this time what MLA is doing at Beef Australia, see the back cover. dinner at the MLA-supported Beef Australia each of the mentor partnerships 2018, which will be held at Rockhampton are developing a project.