A strong lineup of expert speakers will provide producers attending Red Meat 2017 in Alice Springs detailed insights into the future direction of Australia’s red meat and livestock industry across the entire value chain from on-farm through to the consumer.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has released its program of speakers for the Industry Forum to be held on Wednesday, 22 November as part of the two-day event.

The MLA session will feature four key presentations:

Global demand for red meat: an analysis
Lisa Sharp, General Manager, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, MLA

How do we position Australia to realise the opportunities and address the challenges of an increasingly competitive market and evermore discerning consumer? Lisa Sharp will explain the “mega trends” that are driving consumers’ purchase decisions and what they mean for our industry today and tomorrow. Catch a glimpse of the insights and analysis that MLA is using to market our product and ensure consumers keep choosing Australian red meat, both here and abroad.

Harnessing the power of data to stand by what we sell
Dr Jane Weatherley, Chief Executive Officer, Integrity Systems Company

While consumers look for higher levels of product assurance, our red meat industry is facing relentless competition from low cost global suppliers and other proteins. Meanwhile digital technology and data science are rapidly advancing. Dr Jane Weatherley will discuss how the Integrity Systems Company is harnessing the power of data to strengthen our industry’s integrity and traceability systems – and protect Australia’s precious global reputation for clean, safe and natural red meat.

Driving profitability on-farm by meeting consumer needs
Michael Crowley, General Manager, Producer Consultation and Adoption, MLA

You’ve heard what’s happening in the markets and how industry’s integrity systems are being streamlined to underpin the presentation of your product to consumers. Now where should you invest on-farm to meet the needs of consumers today and tomorrow? Michael Crowley will explore the opportunities to set your business up for success using eating quality programs, genetics and objective measurement to increase on-farm productivity and market compliance.

Innovation: the key to keeping our value chain competitive
Sean Starling, General Manager, Research Development and Innovation, MLA

Australia is the largest exporter of beef and second largest exporter of sheepmeat, yet we have one of the highest cost processing sectors in the world. That’s why it’s critical that MLA invest in innovation to improve processing efficiency and drive productivity gains across the supply chain. Sean Starling will report on the roll out of DEXA objective carcase measurement technology, MLA’s latest R&D investments and what’s ahead, including an exciting new initiative to engage producer groups in innovation.

Following the presentations, the speakers will be joined by Michael Finucan, MLA General Manager – International Markets and Dr Christine Pitt, CEO MLA Donor Company (MDC) for an open Q&A session.

Red Meat 2017 is a flagship event for Australia’s red meat industry. It is open to all local and interstate producers and industry stakeholders, with the bumper program to showcase Australian beef, lamb and goatmeat and the very best of Central Australia.

The full two-day program includes a producer tour, the latest innovation and marketing insights, trade shows and technology demonstrations, business breakfast, unrivalled networking opportunities and the MLA Annual General Meeting.

Source: MLA. For more details and to reserve your place at the event, please visit the Red Meat 2017 event page www.redmeat.mla.com.au. 

Producers are also able to book flights to Alice Springs with Qantas directly through a dedicated portal on the Red Meat 2017 event page