Gundagai Lamb CEO Will Barton, left, with Producer of the Year winners from Oxton Park’ Harden, NSW, Trisha O’Connor, Paul O’Connor, Brad Cavanagh, Max O’Connor.

GUNDAGAI Lamb producers will get feedback on the eye muscle area of their lambs as the New South Wales processor strives to present consistent product to its growing domestic and export markets.

At a Gundagai Lamb producers dinner and awards event last night, GL chief executive officer Will Barton outlined progress on an eye muscle area measurement tool that will provide individual carcase feedback to producers.

Mr. Barton said the EMA measurement “will help take Gundagai Lamb to the next level, by ensuring consistent presentation of our product to the market.”

The producers were also told they will receive discounted access to an online emissions reduction calculator and tool in a partnership with Ruminati.

More than 150 producers, livestock agents and Gundagai Lamb team members came together at Kimo Estate’s Grain Shed on Thursday night to celebrate the past year, recognise top producers and hear about plans for the new season.

Attendees enjoyed Gundagai Lamb GLQ5+ lamb cutlets, slow cooked lamb shoulder spring rolls and lamb ragu pasta along with a number of less interesting non-lamb dishes, all traced back to the farm gate via a scannable QR code.

Gundagai Lamb team members Jake Bourlet and Claire Marriott revealed that more than 200 producers consigned a combined 100,000 lambs to the brand in its second year, supporting the ongoing growth and development of the brand. The average distance travelled to the plant was 160 kilometres, down 20km on the prior year, with 92 percent of lamb coming from within 300km of the plant.

Adrian McCorkell, director of InterAgri Group, GMP’s strategic sales and marketing partner, reported trade volumes and value across 22 markets globally as well as the continued development of domestic and export markets.

He said a particular focus was the success of the premium GLQ5+ lamb offering in Sydney over the past 12 months, that the team plans to replicate in key global markets such as the United States. Key retail callouts included David Jones and Victor Churchill with top restaurants Aria, Hilton Hotel, Park Hyatt, Ester, Flying Fish, Baba’s Place, Oncore, Clam Bar and Sokyo.

Gundagai Lamb acknowledged all producers at the event and top producers were awarded and congratulated by GL supply chain manager Dr Michelle Henry. The award winners included:

 Grid Performance Award – Alex Hardie, Hardie Pastoral

 GLQ Score Award – Tony & Annabel Wallace, Willawong Pastoral

 GLQ for Age Award – Brett & Joanne Treasure

 Pioneer’s Award – Isabele Roberts, Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets

 Agent of the Year – Jarrod Slattery, Nutrien Wagga

 Producer of the Year – Oxton Park

The Gundagai Lamb team, from left, Claire Marriott, Will Barton, Jake Boulet and Dr Michelle Henry.