A jam-packed slate of events and information sessions will be taking place over the two days of the annual Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association AGM and Conference event.
Prior to the members only NTCA AGM on Thursday, March 28, the inaugural, invitation only, Future NTCA Breakfast will be held at Wharf One on the Darwin Waterfront, where guests will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and influencers.
At noon on the same day, the ever popular NTCA and Bilba Group Ladies Lunch will be held at the Parliament House Dining Room and Nitmiluk Lounge, allowing women in grazing from across the country to mingle, enjoy sensational food and drink, and have a chance to take home an exquisite lucky door prize.
After the AGM, taking place at the Darwin Convention Centre, NTCA members can catch up with their industry colleagues during the NTCA and Pioneer Tanks Welcome Drinks function at The Precinct on the Waterfront.
Registrations for the annual conference will open from 7.30am on Friday, March 29, with NTCA president Chris Nott to deliver the the president's address at 8am.
Following Mr Nott's address, a tribute to industry legend and inaugural NTCA president Grant Heaslip will be presented by fellow former president David Warriner, and the official opening address for the conference will then be presented by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
Later in the morning, key note speaker Allan Pease, Pease International, will reveal the remarkable brain operating system known as ‘The RAS’ (your brain’s GPS/ search engine) and will show delegates how to program it to help them achieve what they want out of life.
Ian McConnell, representing the World Wildlife Fund, will then discuss the questions and claims regarding the sustainability of the beef industry and its role in society, and National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson will detail the NFF's vision for Australia’s food and fibre sector to be a $100 billion industry by 2030.
University of Queensland's Dr Brad Witt will explore the public perception of the Australian cattle industry, based on the finding of a UQ survey completed by almost 3,000 people from across the nation, and the opportunities for further research and communication that have sprung from this research.
Following a lunch break sponsored by the Port of Darwin, Meat and Livestock Australia's Lisa Sharp and Michael Finucan will detail the global competitive landscape of the beef industry, what’s driving consumer needs, changing community expectations and the corresponding short, medium and longer-term implications for northern beef producers.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deputy commissioner Mick Keogh will be asking and answering questions related to how supply chains can be formed where the information flows both ways and there are regulations in place to stop the misuse of claims and labelling.
Angus Gidley-Baird from Rabobank, will then discuss the Australian beef industry's long promoted market diversification, if Australia may be forced into making a global trade choice, what the implications would be for NT cattlemen in this changing landscape, and what can they do to prepare.
After the last presentation an NAB Agribusiness sponsored morning tea will be provided before an industry panel session takes place where Mr Nott and Ms Sharp will be joined on the stage by Red meat Advisory Council chair Don Mackay and Consolidated Pastoral Company chief development officer Jacqui Cannon, to address the queries and concerns raised by conference guests.
The closing address for the 2019 conference will then be presented by Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud, after which guests will head back to their rooms to get dressed to the nines for the NTCA and AACo Gala Dinner which will begin at 6pm at the Darwin Convention Centre.
During the night, guests can let loose their dance moves with live entertainment provided by The Kicks featuring Natalie Pellegrino, enjoy the delicious menu created by MLA corporate chef Sam Burke, and applaud the winners of the 10th NTCA and Elders Amateur Photographic Competition.