Stakeholders in the grassfed beef and sheepmeat sectors with a keen interest in the future of levy-payer funded research and development are being encouraged to apply for the position of chair of the Southern Australian Meat Research Council (SAMRC).

SAMRC was revitalised in mid-2015 to gather feedback on the research, development and adoption (RD&A) needs of grass-fed beef and sheep meat producers and stakeholders across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and from Queensland sheep producers.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) General Manager – Producer Consultation and Adoption, Michael Crowley said current SAMRC chair, Ralph Shannon, will retire from the position in early 2017 when his two-year tenure in the role draws to a close.

“Ralph has done a great job leading SAMRC and its work in the regional consultation process, and we thank him for his time and energy in the role,” Mr Crowley said.

“The new SAMRC chair will be selected and appointed for a fixed term of up to three years. An expression of interest will be advertised seeking written responses to the advertised selection criteria and a panel consisting of SAMRC members, including MLA, will select an applicant for appointment to the Chair role.

“SAMRC is a unique combination of leading beef and sheep meat industry members, together with major funders and providers of red meat RD&A services including MLA, CSIRO and agencies as well as universities from each SAMRC state.”

Mr Crowley said potential applicants for the position must meet a number of selection criteria, including proven skills and/or commercial experience in beef and/or sheep meat production systems, RD&A program management, strategy development and/or planning.

“They must have an understanding of, and confidence in, meeting protocols, governance, media liaison, report writing and public speaking,” Mr Crowley said.

“Demonstrated industry/cross-agency credibility, linkages and networks are necessary, and they must be willing to actively represent SAMRC on the MLA Red Meat Panel.”

SAMRC is one of three Regional Councils set up to provide advice on sheep meat and grass-fed beef RD&A, along with the North Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC) and the Western Australian Livestock Research Council (WALRC). Together, the three Regional Councils provide advice to the Red Meat Panel and act as a conduit for the flow of information from and to grass roots producers.

SAMRC is supported by seven regional committees, each chaired by a local producer.  The regional committees gather input from local producers and producer networks on local RD&A needs.

SAMRC then considers the RD&A priorities from each committee to develop the regional RD&A priorities that inform the national priorities for sheep meat and grass-fed beef RD&A advised by the Red Meat Panel.

“SAMRC, NABRC and WALRC play a key role in ensuring levies are invested in RD&A projects that will deliver real returns on-farm and throughout the value chain,” Mr Crowley said.