RESILIENCE through innovation, sustainability, market opportunities and community trust will be the focus of a new Meat & Livestock Australia webinar series starting next month.

The free five-part ‘MLA Updates: Redefining Resilience’ webinar series will run from 4 November to 18 November 2020 in the lead-up to MLA’s annual general meeting.

The webinars will featuring MLA managing director Jason Strong and MLA senior leaders, together with leading producers and industry participants focusing on the current challenges and opportunities for our industry.

MLA managing director, Jason Strong, said resilience is a quality often associated with Australian cattle, sheep and goat producers.

“For generations, red meat producers have been able to show resilience in the face of natural disasters and economic challenges such as drought, fire and flood and market variability.

“In 2020 and beyond, resilience must evolve to fit a new set of challenges, as COVID-19 has shown us,” Mr Strong said.

“Looking ahead, what will resilience look like?

“The challenges ahead will require us all to be agile and ambitious, to see adversity as opportunity, to be innovators, sustainable and world leaders in global competitiveness – delivering high value, high quality products to our customers, consumers and the community in Australia and around the world.”

Across the five-webinar series, speakers and topics will focus on building the profitability and resilience of red meat businesses today, tomorrow and in the future. They will also feature a panel discussion and producers will be able ask questions around MLA’s investment in crucial research and marketing activities.

Each webinar will also be recorded and made available through the MLA website.

Webinar 1 – Redefining resilience through producer innovation

Practical, outcomes-focused advice for producers wanting to be leaders in change and innovation.

When: Wednesday, 4 November 2020 1.00–2.00pm (AEDT)

Speakers include:

Jason Strong, MLA managing director

Michael Crowley, MLA General Manager Research, Development and Adoption

Sarah Strachan, MLA Group Manager Adoption and Commercialisation

Hamish Chandler, MLA Program Manager Genetics

Professor Phil Vercoe, University of Western Australia.

Webinar 2 – Redefining resilience through sustainability

Adopt new research outcomes to contribute to a sustainable future for Australian red meat.

When: Thursday, 5 November 2020 1.00pm–2.00pm (AEDT)

Speakers include:

Jason Strong, MLA Managing Director

Michael Crowley, MLA General Manager Research, Development and Adoption

Michael Lee, MLA Group Manager Science and Innovation

Doug McNicholl, MLA Program Manager Sustainability and Innovation

David Beatty, MLA Group Manager Productivity and Animal Wellbeing.

Webinar 3 – Redefining resilience through innovation across the value chain

Diversify and develop on and off-farm practices that customers, consumers and the community perceive as beneficial to contribute to greater economic and environmental resilience for our industry.

When: Wednesday, 11 November 2020 1.00pm–2.00pm (AEDT)

Speakers include:

Jason Strong, MLA Managing Director

Jane Weatherley, CEO Integrity Systems Company

Jane Kellock, SA sheep producer

Ed Morton, Rapiscan Chief Technology Officer

David Packer, MSA Program Manager.

Webinar 4 – Redefining resilience through growing market opportunities

Understand the global red meat market and know what consumers want in order to improve, build and develop your business.

When: Thursday, 12 November 2020 1.00pm–2.00pm (AEDT)

Speakers include:

Jason Strong, MLA Managing Director

Andrew Cox, MLA General Manager International Markets

Graeme Howie, Dorper Lamb Company Managing Director

Nathan Low, MLA General Manager Marketing and Insight

Tim Burvill, South Australian Cattle Co Managing Director.

Webinar 5 – Building resilience through community trust in the red meat and livestock industry

Understand how the community perceives the Australian red meat industry and how to maintain community trust and confidence in our products through effective marketing and communications.

When: Wednesday, 18 November 2020 1.00pm–2.00pm (AEDT)

Speakers include:

Jason Strong, MLA Managing Director

Lucy Broad, MLA General Manager Communications

Emma Gillingham, MLA Consumer Insights Manager

Samantha Jamieson, MLA Group Stakeholder Collaboration Manager

Jo Stewart, The Gourmet Goat Lady.

“We want these webinars to help producers and our industry be adaptable and prepared for the future – and ultimately able to seize such opportunities to grow their businesses,” Mr Strong said.

“In recent years, MLA has held our successful Red Meat event in conjunction with the MLA AGM, to connect red meat producers and industry with the latest industry information and insights, as well as MLA’s program of investments.

“However, like many, MLA has also had to adapt this year in responding to COVID-19, and with the cancellation of Red Meat 2020, this exciting webinar series will provide MLA with an important opportunity to continue to connect with producers and industry.”

Click here for more information and to register for the webinars.

Source: MLA.