The 2015 ANZ North-West Gulf Graziers’ forum held on the weekend at the Georgetown Shire hall proved to be a roaring success.
The forum which was organised by Northern Gulf Resource Management Group, in conjunction with the Gulf Cattleman’s Association and Southern Gulf Catchments featured an impressive line-up of speakers covering a wide range of topics.
Attendees including approximately 50 of the regions producers as well as sponsors and industry representatives were given great insights into the latest information relating to the northern beef industry.
The forum was opened by Gulf Cattleman’s association president Barry Hughes followed by Senator Ian Macdonald who discussed the Northern Development White Paper and highlighted the $100 million funding that will be available for the northern beef roads.
The University of Southern Queensland’s senior climate scientist, David Cobon had some welcome news for the assembled graziers after reporting that the north looks set to move in to a La Nina pattern after March next year.
Alison Larard and Bernie English from the $avannahPlan Beef$ense said that businesses that were able to retain their sale cattle for a higher age of turnoff were generally much more profitable in the long run.
Next Rural director Jim Benson detailed different approaches to succession planning and how to deal with retirement and family transitions as well as the importance of having a structured approach and communicating the expectations of all the involved parties.
On Saturday evening guests sat down to dinner and were treated to an inspiring speech from world-record breaking Paralympic swimmer, Karni Liddell who received a standing ovation from the crowd.
On Sunday Mt Isa veterinarian Ian Braithwaite encouraged producers to change the way they look at their business from a production-based model to a financial one. This involves deciding what turnover a property needs to generate for the year, then determining what level of output the herd needs to generate to achieve that turnover.
Mark Keating, DAF, and Whitewater Station owners, Tom and Christine Saunders, delivered the results of the leucaena palatability trial that has resulted in the release of a psyllid-resistant leucaena variety, Redlands.
The closing address was delivered by ANZ State Agribusiness manager, Jeffery Schrale who discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with global food supply and the potential of Australian beef in China.
