VICTORIA’S sheep and beef producers will enjoy a packed two-day program at the combined BetterBeef and BestWool/BestLamb 2019 Annual Conference in Bendigo next week.

The conference aims to highlight industry research and developments which can be applied on-farm.

It starts with BetterBeef program from 10am on Tuesday, 18 June, at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre in Holmes Road followed by the combined conference dinner at All Seasons Bendigo, 171-183 McIvor Rd.

Guest speaker at the dinner will be the paramedic Peter Davidson who served on the rescuer helicopter HeliMed One in the 1998 Sydney-Hobart yacht race when six sailors died and five boats were lost.

A team of agri-health professionals from the National Centre for Farmer Health will also be on hand for both conference days offering delegates an opportunity to check on their number one asset – their health.

The BestWool/BestLamb conference starts at 8.30am on Wednesday, 19 June, in the exhibition centre.

The conference organisers said the programs are designed to include a diverse range of topics delivered in a practical format relevant to farming businesses. The format includes keynote speakers and eight concurrent sessions each day from which delegates can choose four.

BestWool/BestLamb (BWBL) conference program – plenary keynote sessions

Building the business, resilience in tough times. Greg and Jo Bear, Canary Island, Swan Hill.

From 100pc to 130pc – the New Zealand experience. Paul Kenyon, Massey University, New Zealand.

Integrating technology in a sheep production system. Scott Nicholson, Nuffield Scholar.

Risk verses reward. Cam Nicholson, Nicon Rural.

Concurrent Sessions block 1. Choose two from four on the day.

Harnessing value in the lamb supply chain. Michael Crowley, Meat and Livestock Australia.

The value of grazing weeds. Cam Nicholson, Nicon Rural.

Assessing the value of maternal genetics (on farm trial results). John Young and Jason Trompf, JT Agri-Source.

Merino Lifetime Productivity project. Anne Ramsey, National Project Manager.

Concurrent Sessions block 2. Choose two from four on the day.

The drivers of triplet ewe and lamb performance. Paul Kenyon, Massey University, New Zealand.

The impacts of lambing density. Jason Trompf, JT Agri-Source.

Economics of Autumn Saving. Andrew Whale, Livestock Logic.

Using soil moisture and temperature data for optimising winter growth. Lisa Warn. Lisa Warn Ag Consulting.

Click here to download the full BestWool BestLamb program

BetterBeef conference program – plenary keynote sessions

Beef farming in Australia: Barriers and opportunities. Danny Thomas, CBRE Agribusiness

Running a profitable and sustainable beef business. Frank Archer, Landfall Angus.

Innovation in your beef business. Michael Crowley, Meat and Livestock Australia.

Challenges for the Australian cattle industry – a veterinary perspective. Dr Ian Bradshaw, President Australian Cattle Veterinarians.

Concurrent Sessions block 1. Choose two from four on the day.

Improving winter pasture production. James Sewell, Meridian Agriculture.

What makes a quality beef product. Mark Inglis. JBS Australia

What does a fertile herd look like? Shane Thomson, Holbrook Vet Centre.

Producer panel: Quality assurance programs

Concurrent Sessions block 2. Choose two from four on the day.

The management of trace elements in cattle: sorting fact from fiction. John Webb Ware, Mackinnon Project.

Integration of cropping as a pasture management tool. Cam Nicholson, Nicon Rural.

Producer panel: The value of benchmarking to your business

Value and benefits of a breeding objective. Jason Trompf, JT Agri-Source.

Click here to download the full BetterBeef program

BetterBeef and BWBL conference dinner

Date: Tuesday, 18 June

Time: Pre-dinner drinks from 6.30pm Dinner at 7.00pm

Venue: All Seasons Bendigo, 171 – 183 McIvor Rd, Bendigo.

Cost: $70 – Three course meal featuring lamb and beef. Drinks available at bar prices.

Click here to register for the conference.