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Arguably the largest annual agriculture conference on the North Australian calendar, the 33rd Annual Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Conference being held on March 30 and March 31 will focus on embracing the important concept of “Positioning for Prosperity”.
The event which will be taking place at the Darwin Convention Centre aims to provide delegates with a platform to advance toward the unprecedented levels of innovation, demand and growth that lies ahead.
A highlight of the northern Australian events calendar, the conference will also host the NTCA Annual General Meeting and Gala Dinner.
The event aims to challenge and inform attendees, as well as inspire and stimulate conversations and ideas about the past, present and future directions of the industry.
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Tracey Hayes said attendance numbers are “looking really healthy” five weeks out from conference with numbers now past 450 with more than 600 people expected to attend the Gala Dinner and 500 guests set for the conference.
Ms Hayes said the conference agenda will deliver unprecedented access to world class domestic and international experts who will address critical issues relevant to today’s industry, and the industry of the future.
“One such speaker will be The Honourable Andrew Robb AO. Mr Robb will provide the keynote address focused on the importance of building key relationships in international markets and provide a view on the importance of the flow of foreign capital into industries across Northern Australia,” Ms Hayes said.
Rabobank senior research analyst specialising in the animal protein sector, Adolfo Fontes will discuss the global impact caused by Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, changes in the European Union and the impact of Trans-Pacific Partnership not progressing have had on international trade.
Ms Hayes said the last 12 months has seen trade destabilised by the above mentioned factors and Mr Fontes will detail the challenges and opportunities that they have created for the global beef trade.
“One such opportunity that has arisen is the 270,000 tonne per annum void in beef export which will be created when England leaves the EU, it was an unexpected occurrence and we now need to look at how we can take advantage of the situation.”
Dr Ross Ainsworth will be back by popular demand for the 2017 conference and will share his insights into the South East Asian markets, a snapshot of what market conditions are like there at present, and how he sees the market especially in Indonesia and Vietnam playing out in the near future.
“Ross is situated in the Asian marketplace, and will come armed with his intimate and in-depth knowledge of what is going on in the market at present.”
Dr Phil Holmes principal of Holmes & Company, a NSW based firm providing business advice to corporate and family owned farm businesses in all states of Australia will discuss managing business through periods of challenge, and when conditions are good how to manage variability in your business model during a period of growth.
“The industry has shown a high degree of resilience during challenging times, we’re adept at handling negative situations.
“Phil will focus more on handling growth and discuss if we are in the midst of a beef boom at present beef boom or not.”
Mr Holmes will delve into ways in which producers can ensure their long term survival in the industry by thinking about topics such as the price of beef for the consumer and if it’s a cause for concern and balancing the wisdom of reinvesting and provisioning for the next inevitable downturn against the risk of expanding your operations to increase your reach and volume of supply.
David Harland has been working exclusively with family businesses for almost 25 years. As the Managing Director of FINH, David advises on family governance strategies and implementation, business transitions and succession planning and sourcing capital and finance options.
Mr Harland will focus on succession planning during his discussion at the conference, the challenges associated with it in particular for agricultural operations and the benefits that can be achieved by having a plan in place as early as possible.
Andrew Simpson from Meat & Livestock Australia's (MLA) Asian Division will deliver an update regarding MLA's strategy in the Asian markets with a focus on Indonesia and Vietnam.
“Andrew will discuss the impact of Indian buffalo meat and Spanish beef entering the Indonesian market. We’ve enjoyed a 100 per cent supply into the market until now and Andrew will talk about how Australian producers can focus on innovative strategic changes in direction to potentially explore opportunities in those markets.”
Ms Hayes said that this year’s conference will see the Alward Foster Memorial Award, presented for the first time.
“The award is presented to a young Indigenous stockperson who has emerged as an industry leader and espouses the attributes of the indigenous stockmen and women who contributed to the pioneering of the Northern Territory pastoral sector.”
She said the NTCA has been running an Indigenous employment and training program for close to eight years which has led to more than 300 Indigenous men and women gaining jobs within the industry.
The Future NTCA program which is entering its fourth year and focusses on capturing and nurturing the wonderful talented younth coming up through the industry is also a program feature, with the announcement of the 2017 recipients.
“The year-long program provides the students with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how the association works, what’s involved in representing the industry, getting a better grasp of political systems and how they work as well as many professional development opportunities.
A panel session focussing on the “Northern Pastoral Vision”, will see beef industry representatives discuss and answer guests’ questions about where the industry is now and where it’s heading and will cover topics such coexistence with the gas industry, international markets and a particular focus on Chinese beef trade.
Ms Hayes said the formalities at the Gala Dinner will include the naming of the NTCA life membership recipients and the Life Member Medal (which recognises industry partners from outside of the NTCA) award winner named.
“The Great Gatsby will be the theme for the night and we’ll have a live band playing through the night.
“It’ll be a fun night and guests will enjoy the fruits of the produce created by our bigger corporate members with AACO premium branded beef and Vasse Felix wine being highlights of the menu.”
For further information regarding the 33rd Annual Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Conference please visit www.ntca.org.au and connect with the conference on Twitter at #NTCAConf17 or on the Facebook page.
