Vietnam delegates in Australia

In Rockhampton on Monday the group had the opportunity to meet with producers and industry representatives at a round table discussion. 

Leading the tour group was Mr Vu Van Minh, a government deputy director general working with the beef industry in Vietnam.

The round table discussions focused mostly around the differences between Vietnamese operations. 

The session began on a light note, with the translator assuring the delegates that Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Ken Murphy had indeed said in Australia it was standard to have one beast per four hectares.

The delegates were sure there had been a mistake, as they are accustomed to much higher levels of stocking. 

Wallace Gunthorpe, Tarramba Red Brahmans, Banana, was part of the Australian panel.

He has been working with Vietnamese producers, exporting Red Brahman genetics from his stud and that of fellow seedstock producer, Ross Olive, Olive Brahmans.

Mr Olive said the aim of the work in Vietnam was twofold – to expand their own operations, but to increase the quality of Vietnamese beef as well.

“We are hoping to get the calving rate per year up,” Mr Olive said. “We are doing that with supplements, vaccinations, and using our best management practices.”  

UQ host Associate Professor John Gaughan said that the expertise and techniques developed at UQ’s Gatton campus will be invaluable to Vietnam’s booming cattle industry.

“Meat consumption in Vietnam has risen 87 per cent between 2001 and 2011 and demand exceeds production,” Dr Gaughan said. 

“70 to 80 per cent of cattle are raised in remote areas by ethnic minorities, usually by women located in the northern mountains and central regions.

“The visitors have been introduced to the School of Agriculture and Food Science’s cattle production and nutrition programs, which will provide tools for the industry to grow sustainably. This program will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to build capacity to restructure the beef industry in Vietnam.”

The tour group began in Brisbane before heading to Central Queensland. The tour will finish in Longreach on Friday. A document of recommendations to improve the beef sector will be developed and delivered to a Vietnamese Government Minister.