The Weekly Grill: Recent Episodes
Beef Central
The Weekly Grill is Beef Central's podcast with host, Kerry Lonergan. Each week Kerry chats with a beef industry mover and shaker - turning up the heat and asking questions about the burning issues and topics that impact the beef sector.
Join Kerry Lotting as he interviews Terry Nolan of Nolan’s Meats about his family’s beginnings in a Gympie butcher shop and how hard work, relationships and bold decisions built a major processing business.
Terry was guest speaker at the Queensland Rural Press Club's annual Ekka breakfast in Brisbane this morning - a gathering of more than 800 stakeholders.
Terry and his family are close to finalising the sale of their Nolan Meats processing business to Hewitt, making his Brisbane presentation a fitting bookend to the family 70-year contribution to the industry.
He touches on wide ranging topics, ranging from the power of relationships to the value of being involved in industry representation. He shares his views on the likely future direction of lotfeeding in Australia, the lasting legacy left by Meat Standards Australia, the dangers involved in 'group-think' and some of the people who 'made a difference' in developing the modern day Australian beef industry.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this episode Kerry Lonergan chats with Mike Stevens, principal of Meridian Agriculture and one of Australia’s leading succession planning experts. They discuss why succession planning must start early, why people and family communication come first, and how legal, tax and ownership structures should follow careful family decisions.
Mike shares real-life success and failure stories, common mistakes to avoid, and practical steps for rural families to protect farm viability and fairly manage expectations across generations.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In today's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan chats with regular market experts Chris Howie and Matthew Dalgleish about how current weather patterns — including an emerging El Niño — are affecting feed, regional conditions and livestock supply across Australia.
They review cattle and sheep herd numbers, slaughter trends, meatworks capacity, rising lamb prices, the growth of sheep feedlots, MSA grading and EID technology, and discuss short-term buying strategies... and more
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this episode Kerry Lonergan interviews Felicity Richards, Chair of FarmSafe Australia, about recent on‑farm fatality statistics, leading causes (quad bikes, side‑by‑sides and tractors), and common contributing factors such as lack of helmets/seatbelts, speed, and unsafe mounting/dismounting.
In the lead up to Farm Safety Week, the conversation covers vulnerable groups (older farmers and young children near water), the role of fatigue and mental health, and prevention strategies including protective gear, operator protection devices, safe procedures and better inductions. Felicity highlights FarmSafe campaigns like “Second Chance” and the new “Set the Standard.”
Listeners are urged to share safety stories, use available toolbox resources, and visit farmsafe.org to find Farm Safety Week events and practical tools to protect families and workers.
Farm Safety Week takes place from 16 to 25 July 2026
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
Counting down to LambEx 2026, The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan explores booming lamb prices and the new carcass feedback program adopted at GMP Gundagai. He chats with GMP CEO Will Barton about DEXA scans, MEQ probes, GLQ scoring and producer bonuses for premium outcomes.
Kerry then chats with lamb producer Jenny Bradley as she shares her experiences with the new feedback program and her operation's firsthand results and on‑farm changes.
The episode previews LambEx 2026 and explores how individual carcass data is shaping a more valuable, measurable lamb supply chain.
In today’s episode of The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan is joined by Beef Central's Jon Condon as they dial in AusMeat Chair, Allan Bloxsom, to discuss AusMeat’s new, industry-agreed rules for breed-specific content claims that take affect from July 1.
The conversation covers how the new export trade descriptions will work (e.g., Angus F1, Angus 50, Angus Composite), verification options (phenotype or optional genetic testing), implications for brand managers, producers and consumers, and impacts on existing 75% and 100% programs and more.
This week on The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Simon Irwin, CEO of Beef 2027, to talk about learnings from Beef 2024 and the plans for the next event in Rockhampton; they discuss record attendances, exhibitor demand, and the event's economic impact.
The episode covers major challenges and innovations: accommodation shortages and solutions (Airbnb partnerships, Camplify and caravans), expanded tech and fifth‑quarter showcases, sustainability and emissions work, security and counter‑terrorism measures, and new digital tools like an interactive app.
Also discussed are global interest and networking opportunities, Next Gen and mentoring programs for young ag professionals, the importance of interbreed championships, and why Beef remains central to regional Queensland.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
Along with eight other young beef industry stakeholders, NSW's Millie Unthank is one of this year's Graeme Acton Beef Connections program participants.
In this episode of The Weekly Grill, Kerry Lonergan interviews Millie, Ag Tech Manager for the McDonald family's MDH operations in North Queensland. She outlines her rural upbringing, studies in bioengineering and computer science, and how she moved from southern saleyards to managing large‑scale agtech in northern beef production.
The pair discuss the importance of clean, foundational data for AI and decision‑making, balancing traditional stockmanship with automation, connectivity solutions like Starlink, and Millie’s recent, early experiences as part of the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program.
- Millie is also writing a monthly diary countdown towards the Beef Connections program's conclusion at Beef 2027 in Rocky next May, appearing on Beef Central. Click here to read her first entry, published today.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In today's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan interviews Darren Thomas, CEO of Thomas Foods International, about the company’s growth from family beginnings to a multi-billion-dollar global business.
They discuss key issues including China tariffs and trade challenges, the rebuilding of Murray Bridge after the 2018 fire, expansion into the US, goat and seafood operations, feedlot growth, labour and technology pressures, and food security.
Darren also reflects on community support, the importance of youth pathways into agriculture, and how innovation and international investment shape the future of Australian processing and exports.
In this episode of The Weekly Grill Kerry Lonergan interviews veteran cattleman Dick Slaney about his extraordinary career from North Queensland to Venezuela, the US and across Asia. Dick recounts hands-on experiences in live export, feedlots and abattoirs, his role in introducing stunning practices in Indonesia, and reflections on the resilience and changing dynamics of the Australia–Indonesia beef trade.
He also discusses the impacts of trade suspensions, rising competition from cheaper imports, cultural lessons learned while working in Asia, and the people and mentors who shaped his life and career.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this episode Kerry Lonergan interviews respected Australian Cattle Vet Dr Ross Ainsworth about the growing threat of exotic livestock diseases discussed at the recent Wagyu Edge 26 conference in Brisbane.
Dr Ainsworth explains how foot-and-mouth disease could abruptly close export markets, devastate herd values and force mass culling, and describes how lumpy skin disease spreads, its impacts and available vaccines.
The conversation covers recent outbreaks in Southeast Asia, biosecurity risks from travellers and feral animals, preparedness options including vaccination and surveillance, and the importance of reporting suspected cases to protect Australia’s industry... and more.
In Australia, suspected exotic animal diseases should be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill Kerry Lonergan speaks with Andrew Henderson of AgSecure about how fuel and fertiliser shortages expose critical weaknesses in Australia’s food system. They discuss diesel as a ‘‘master constraint,’’ the risks of just-in-time supply chains, and the need for a national food security strategy, strategic stockpiles and greater domestic and regional production capabilities.
The conversation covers policy options such as prioritising agriculture for fuel in crises, building sovereign capacity for fertilisers and crop protection inputs, and leveraging regional partnerships to strengthen resilience.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this episode of The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan is joined by Matt Dalgleish and Chris Howie to break down the latest market movements and regional conditions affecting Australian livestock.
They discuss the BOM El Niño forecast and its regional impacts, the record sell-off of cows in New South Wales, diesel and urea supply pressures, disruptions to live sheep exports and changing export demand, and how these factors are shaping lamb and beef prices and opportunities for breeders and buyers.
Key takeaways include short-term price outlooks, transport and input constraints, and practical investment ideas—such as store cattle, heifers and Merino lambs—for producers with feed and infrastructure.
In this weeks episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan takes the roving microphone through Wagyu Edge 26 in Brisbane, talking with more than 900 breeders, exhibitors and international guests about genetics, market opportunities, biosecurity risks and the growing quality of Australian Wagyu.
Attendees share insights on breeding, phenotype data, export markets... and their cooking preferences.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In today's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan visited Wagyu Edge 26 in Brisbane to catch up with AWA's president Laird Morgan and CEO Matt McDonagh to explore the explosive growth of Australian Wagyu, export markets, genetics (WBVs), feeding trends and industry opportunities... plus a new $100,000 Wagyu feeding competition and more.
AWA President, Laird Morgan
AWA CEO, Matt McDonagh
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this episode Kerry Lonergan speaks with Rawdon Briggs (Colliers Agribusiness) and independent valuer Will McLay about current trends in Australia’s rural property market. They discuss the impact of the Middle East conflict, sector pressures on horticulture, resilient beef and cropping markets, buyer and seller motivations, and major transactions like the potential Paraway offering.
Key takeaways include buyer segmentation by asset size, succession planning driving listings, regional hotspots and water rights importance, the role of institutional and family investors, and how interest rates, fuel, fertiliser and Queensland land tax are influencing deals and sentiment.
The recent Northern Beef Research Update Conference in Brisbane was peppered with references to the use of smart tags in various R&D applications, combining geo-location with algorithms used to measure animal behaviour. US animal scientist Professor Derek Bailey first started using primitive forms of geo-location tags as far back as 1998, but the technology has come a long ways since. This week podcast host Kerry Lonergan and Beef Central’s Jon Condon sit down with Ceres Tags’ Greg Campbell, who also spoke during the NBRUC conference, and producer Jearn Liebenberg to discuss the advances in the technology and how it’s being applied in the industry.The episode covers the benefits of satellite-connected smart tag tech — including geolocation, behaviour and reproductive algorithms, and tag durability – plus practical on-farm advantages like theft prevention, quicker mustering and improved breeding decisions… and more.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One – the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this week's episode, podcast host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Professor Derek Bailey, one of the keynote speakers at the 2026 Northern Beef Research Update Conference (NBRUC).
Professor Bailey discusses the similarities between US and Australian rangelands (pastures), the role of public-land grazing, and how tracking technology, accelerometers and AI are transforming cattle monitorin.
The visiting academic also speaks about engaging cattle producers through on-property research, the importance of record-keeping and monitoring, and broader challenges like public perception of grazing and market drivers behind heavier carcass weights in the US beef industry.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan spent time at the Northern R&D conference in Brisbane this week, including this discussion with keynote speaker David Foote. Mr Foote said one of the industry’s biggest R&D opportunities lies not in new scientific breakthroughs, but applying the knowledge that already exists. “The industry doesn’t suffer from a lack of knowledge. It suffers from a lack of scale in applying it,” he said.
Mr Foote said northern research over many years had identified clear management principles that consistently improve performance in commercial beef enterprises.
One key message was that “profit follows pasture, and pasture condition.”
Among other topics, the pair discuss the opportunities and challenges facing northern Australian beef production - including the scale benefits of the north, and barriers to adopting proven research and management practices.
The episode also covers emerging technologies (remote sensing, Starlink, walk-over weighing), infrastructure and labour issues, market positioning for exports, and urgent biosecurity concerns such as lumpy skin disease and surveillance needs.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan talks with processor Paul Gibson, who recently retired after a distinguished 35-year career with Australian Country Choice in Brisbane. Paul's career - most recently as ACC's Research & Development manager - spanned the era from the introduction of Meat Standards Australia grading through to current-day adoption of objective carcase measurement technologies for meat quality and yield - and hundreds of developments in between. In today's episode he reflects on his frontline role in the early days of MSA, now recognised as the world's best beef grading system. He shares the gritty reality of pioneering a science-based eating quality model in the mid-1990s, the early battles fought to make it work with Brahman crossbred cattle, and why he always believed Australia could lead the world in the grading field. Paul was one of the original 12 MSA graders — selected from industry and the ICMJ program to be trained as the very first technologists when MSA launched in 1997, giving him a deep inside view of the system from day one. It's a candid, fascinating conversation with one of the industry's true unsung heroes.Other key takeaways:
"If you can't measure it, you can't manage it" — Paul's driving philosophy meant he was often at the plant at midnight collecting data, insisting on rigorous, science-backed, third-party-verified evidence as the only way to make MSA (and later R&D programs) bulletproof and commercially credible.
MSA is now entering its third stage of evolution — having moved from implementation, to global commercial adoption, the system now needs to expand beyond palatability to incorporate yield measurements, flavour, texture, and a deeper understanding of marbling's impact on eating quality.
In other fields, Paul is passionate about lifting industry professionalism through the next generation — he has invested heavily in mentoring students through the ICMJ program (the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging), believing that embedding young people in science and university networks is the key to the industry making its own decisions, rather than being directed by government.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan talks with Beef Central's genetics editor Al Rayner, posing the question: Is production efficiency the secret to lower emissions? Alastair observes that productivity and profitability are inextricably linked to lower emissions — and that smarter farm management, not silver-bullet technology, is the most immediate path forward.Here's the main topics covered:
Methane intensity over total output — Alistair says producers should shift focus from total methane produced to methane per kilo of beef, making efficient, fast-growing animals the real emissions win.
Management first, technology second — Better reproduction rates, conception rates, and feed quality can reduce methane emissions right now, before investing in new genetics or feed additives.
Genetic research is advancing — Leading organisations like Angus Australia, Wagyu Australia, CSIRO, and the University of New England are developing research breeding values (EBVs) for methane.
Feedlots vs grazing — Feedlot cattle on high-quality diets produce significantly less methane than extensively grazed cattle on low-digestibility pastures, due to more efficient digestion.
Productivity = profitability = lower emissions — 75–80pc of profitability variation comes down to how many kilos of beef are produced per hectrare. More efficient producers are automatically more profitable, and, lower-emission — the three goals are inseparable.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan talks all things AI with Jerome Leray, founder and Managing Director of leading ag tech company, Infarm. InFarm is an Agricultural AI company focused on delivering ground breaking technology to farmers, using state of the art AI and advance technology to develop tools that will help farmers become more efficient, save money or become more profitable. In a wide ranging conversation, the pair discuss:* Capturing data to unlock the potential of AI * Practical example of how and where Ai is now being used in agriculture * How Ai could be applied in genetics * Opportunities for Australian ag tech to dominate world wide * What farmers can do now to get integrate AI into their farming enterprises * ... and more
Jerome was awarded the Agricultural Ministers Emerging Leader Award in 2020 and has represented Australia at the Entrepreneurship World Cup. For his contributions to technology and agriculture Jerome received a QLD Community Achievement Award and led InFarm to be awarded the Australian Food and Agribusiness of the Year in 2019.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week sits down to chew the fat with independent analyst Simon Quilty, exploring the livestock and meat market prospects for the year ahead. Together the pair discuss likely impacts on trade this year, from China tariffs and quotas and their impact on Australian exports on imported beef, supply and demand patterns, the US herd size and what it means; Brazil - the growing numbers of cattle on feed and the potential threat to Australia’s exports to Japan and Korea; the rise in value of the A$; is lamb still in a boom cycle, and more. The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags Gen 6
Beef Central's ever-popular Weekly Grill podcast returns for its sixth season today, with host Kerry Lonergan exploring the livestock and meat market prospects for the year ahead with regular contributors Matt Dalgleish from Episode 3 and Chris Howie GM of RMA. Together the trio discuss likely impacts on trade this year, from seasonal conditions to China tariffs and quotas on imported beef, supply and demand patterns, Cattle Australia's review of the cattle levy and other topics. Matt and Chris proffer their thoughts on where the smart money might be in 2026!The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by:
- Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
- Ceres Tags
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill - our final episode for 2025 - host Kerry Lonergan sits down with newly elected president of the National Farmers Federation, Hamish Macintyre. In this wide ranging discussion Kerry quizzes new president about:* The immediate priorities for the NFF * Potential NFF constitutional changes * Climate and emissions and the NFF’s environmental arrangements with the Greens * The global supply chain * The availability and affordability of Australian diesel supplies * The European Union * Energy costs * Skilled labour challenges and housing affordability in rural and regional Australia * … and more
The Weekly Grill will return in 2026. Until then, have a safe Christmas break and all the best for the new year.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
Respected US meat and livestock economist Derrell Peel chews the fat this week with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan.
Prof Peel, extension specialist for livestock marketing at Oklahoma State University, works in all areas of US livestock production economics and marketing for all beef cattle production sectors. Additionally he works on US meat demand and meat supply chain issues, beef product marketing and international cattle and beef trade.
Among other topics, the pair discuss:
- US cattle prices and domestic production heading into 2026
- Domestic beef demand
- Beef packer numbers being cut
- The impact on supply from Trump's tariffs on beef imports
- Brazilian beef imports
- US beef exports to China
- Where Australia fits in the US picture. Are there more opportunities for prime chilled beef in the US, as well as hamburger beef?
- The US experiment in the Wagyu market
- The US farm bill
Derrell focusses on declining US cattle numbers and levels of beef production, but higher carcase weights.
With a surplus of grain and the price of grain continuing to fall, some US cattle are now being fed for 190-200 days. But it appears US cattle are getting fatter rather than producing more lean beef.
In fact, further to the typical ongoing issues of BRD in the feedlot, a new trend is seeing a growing number of cattle dying of cardiovascular disease shortly before their scheduled exit from the feedlot, posing the question: Are US cattle now obese?
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
In this week’s episode of the Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Mia Ryan, founder of the dating App, Howdy – think Tinder for the bush. From her family farm in the NSW Hunter Valley, Mia recognised an opening to help bush people make a romantic connection, with more than 20,000 downloads among bush folk using the App in their search for love. And there’s been plenty of success stories along the way, with engagements, marriages and little ones already on the ground. Howdy isn’t just about dating, Mia says – it’s about building a network where anyone in rural Australia can find their match, share stories, and create a stronger community.The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
In this week's episode of the Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Matt Dalgliesh and Chris Howie to dissect what’s been a ‘goldilocks year’ for the red meat industry. Reviewing some of the year's major headlines, the trio discuss:* The lamb market’s spring flush * Lamb fetching upwards of $330 a kilo * Australia's highest volumes of processed beef for 47 years * Did Trump’s yo-yo approach to tariffs have any impact? * Indonesia’s declining herd numbers. What does this mean for the rest of the world? * Cattle Councils review of the cattle levy * Expanding capacities in feedlots * The number of feedlots coming onto the market * Skilled labour supplies in regional Australia - is it still an issue? * Property values * The mood in the sale yard * … plus more
And Matt and Chris proffer their thoughts on where the smart money might be in 2026!The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
The use of drones on farms and grazing properties has grown dramatically over the past few years. Drones are now routinely being used for monitoring, mapping, spraying... and in some situations mustering stock. This week podcast host Kerry Lonergan caught up with one of the industry's early adopters, Jack Sykes, co-principal of AgriDrone, to discuss the rise of the use and application of drones for agricultural purposes, and how they're changing the way people farm.
The crowd of 480 cattle producers attending the recent CA Cattle Connect annual event in Dalby saw a demonstration of a specialised eight-rotor drone employing a hopper with 30kg capacity, used for woody weed control in larger areas.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
On the eve of next week’s Cattle Australia seminar and AGM in Dalby, MLA’s executive chef and Product Business Development Manager Sam Burke chews the fat with The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan.
The pair discuss consumer trends during the current cycle of rising beef prices, how food service operators are adjusting their businesses to remain competitive, the role value-adding is playing in delivering beef products with greater convenience and time saving, and other issues.
Industry stakeholders attending Cattle Australia’s Dalby event will see Sam in action, and get to taste some of his creative ideas for beef, lamb and goatmeat.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One – the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan chews the fat with independent red meat and livestock analyst Simon Quilty, covering the opportunities ahead for Australian beef and lamb in a global market facing shortages, tariff challenges, and trade access issues for the next year or two.
Barring weather setbacks or some form of exotic disease incursion, it's hard not to be bullish about red meat export prospects for 2026 and 2027, Mr Quilty suggests.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan chews the fat with red meat wholesaling identity David McNally, head of Australian Wholesale Meats.
Since 2001 AWM has grown to become one of the largest domestic beef wholesalers in the country, with offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne supplying food service customers across the restaurant, pubs and clubs sector, retail butchers, supermarkets and hospitality venues across the nation.
The pair discuss the level of demand for beef and lamb this year, how the food service sector is performing, consumer reaction to higher red meat prices, the role of Meat Standards Australia and other topics.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Longergan catches up with two veterans who took part in Australia's incredible feat in the 1970s-80s era in eradicating Brucellosis and Tuberculosis from the national beef herd.
Ron Granville was Queensland's chief veterinary officer during the BTEC era, and Brian Radunz was a senior cattle vet in the Northern Territory. The pair talk about the herculean task of eliminating the diseases, the challenges faced, and the ultimate success of the $1.2 billion project.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Longergan catches up with newly crowned Young Organic Champion of the Year, Stephanie Frankham.
Stephanie has been instrumental in developing the organic red meat sector, transitioning more than 50,000 cattle to organic production, and pioneering sustainability initiatives, including emissions reduction strategies for producers.
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
This week, podcast host Kerry Lonergan dials in Patrick Hutchinson, Chair of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework.
The pair discuss the hot topics of environmental stewardship, animal welfare and economic resilience.
Sector by sector, how is the industry performing in the sustainability space, and how best to achieve our future sustainability targets?
A lot has already been achieved and a lot of money invested (industry funds, government contributions and third party investors) so what are the future targets?
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
This week, podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Livecorp CEO, Wayne Collier. The pair's wide-ranging discussion covers:
- Indonesian, Vietnamese and Middle Eastern markets, and how they are performing
- The current mood in Western Australia
- Crewing live export ships - staffing shortages/who foots the bill?
- The success of shipboard management and improvements of mortality numbers
- Biosecurity issues
- The key issues addressed at "Live Exchange” - the upcoming Trade Conference in Perth
- ... and more
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
Artificial intelligence is now starting to creep into the Australian red meat supply chain, whether it is accurately counting sheep or cattle off a truck into a meatworks holding yard, or picking the shape of tri-tips from a range of primals passing down a processing conveyor belt and packing them in a carton.
In today’s Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan chews the fat with Dr Tom Lee from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Tom classifies himself as a ‘middle man’ between AI technology developers/designers and potential end-users like farmers and meat processors.
Haw far has AI progressed in ag? While certain early-adopters and innovator farmers are on the front foot, uptake is still pretty niche in ag, Tom says, but things are changing rapidly. But right now, for the bulk of farmers, AI is still something they are hearing about, rather than applying.
He says it’s important to make a distinction between AI and a second second technology term, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
“People think AI will eventually mimic a human being, if we keep investing in it – but that’s AGI, not AI,” he said.
“AI is great at playing a game of chess – solving ‘small world things’ where all the inputs are known, and it can work through all the permutations, using massive amounts of data in really powerful ways – but it can’t do the things that a human mind can do.”
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One – the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
With sweeping tariff changes and drastically declining beef production in the US, global instability in the Middle East and Ukraine, lingering effects of drought in southern Australia, there was a lot to talk about in the latest Weekly Grill markets update podcast with regular commentators Chris Howie and Matt Dalgleish.
In today’s episode Kerry Lonergan catches up with the pair on cattle price trends and what’s driving them, this year’s extraordinary number of sale yard cattle transactions, weather conditions and the spring rains in the south. Are they drought breaking?, Live export markets, feedlot numbers – will we get to 2 million cattle on feed? Lotfeeding lamb. Is it viable? … and more
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
In the 1980s, farmers were concerned that union intransigence and rigidity, as exemplified by the Mudginberri dispute, threatened the future of Australian agriculture and industry productivity in general.
Mudgenberri presented the opportunity for the NFF, with AFFF support, to challenge and defeat the old, inward-looking standards that had long passed their used-by date.
Farmers ‘put their hands in their pockets’ for the cause, raising millions of dollars. Half the money raised was donated by non-farming businesses that supported the NFF’s challenge to injustices.
Those funds are still working for Australian farmers today, fighting issues that would set disturbing precedents for farmers, regional communities and Australia as a whole.
In today’s podcast, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Fighting Fund chairman Hugh Nivison.
How much does the fund currently contain? How are decisions made about where and when the funds are spent? Can it be used for government lobby purposes? These are just some of the topics discussed.
Hugh Nivison
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In this week's episode, podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with processor Roger Fletcher, the man behind Australia's most successful integrated sheep meat processing business, Fletcher International. In a wide ranging conversation, the pair discuss Roger's humble beginnings droving sheep around Glen Innes; the opportunities he seized along the way to help build his $1.4b empire; and current high lamb prices, and how sustainable they are.
Other topics of conversation include:
- Why he never got into cattle
- Expanding interests in Western Australia
- Exclusion fencing
- Today's challenges
- Lot feeding sheep
- Saying 'no' to Kerry Packer
- ... and more
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With frenched cutlets now selling in some metro butcheries for $95/kg. and even the humble shank retailing in supermarkets for the equivalent of $7.50 each, domestic lamb prices are today testing the boundaries of what the market ever thought possible.
But even at those ticket prices, independent retailers say there is no margin in lamb at current wholesale levels, two leading independent butchers tell Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan in today’s episode.
Successful Brisbane butcher Tim Walsh, and Sydney retailer Stephen Kelly, who owns and runs five large shopping centre butcheries across Sydney and Newcastle, give their views of the red meat retail landscape in the current cycle of record high prices. The pair are joined by regular podcast contributor, analyst Matt Dalgleish from Episode 3.
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Some salient lessons in succession planning were aired during last Friday’s annual Rural Press Cub breakfast held as part of the Brisbane Ekka, where three generations of the Hart family from Stockyard Beef shared the stage in front of an audience of 700.
Founder Robin Hart, his son Lachie and granddaughter Ali later sat down with Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan to talk about multi-generational farm sector businesses and how they have made it work.
Key to the narrative was the deliberate steps taken at Stockyard to manage the inter-generational transition, evolving from a “family business” into a “business family” approach.
Each generation of Harts brought their own skill-set to the business, with the third generation of family members (Ali and her sister Bec) bringing purpose, innovation and fresh perspectives, the audience heard.
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In this weeks' podcast episode, host Kerry Lonergan chats with recruitment and labour specialist Tom Reardon, on the ongoing labour challenges in regional and rural Australia. Two years ago in a previous conversation, Mr Reardon, the head of labour resourcing firm PeopleIn, described the labour situation in rural Australia was as bad as he had ever seen it. What's happened since? PeopleIn currently has around 2000 job vacancies on its books across rural and regional areas of the country.The Weekly Grill is brought to you by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
In this weeks' podcast episode, host Kerry Lonergan chats with LAWD's gregarious property marketing identity, Danny Thomas. Among other topics, the pair discuss: * The federal super tax and its' impacts on rural properties * SMSF rules and listings of rural properties * Interest in Australia’s ag properties from US * Canadian super funds * China - are they turning their attention to South America? * Vietnamese / Malaysian / Japanese investment in Australia * Carbon Farming… is it influencing buying? * Trumps tariffs and how Australian ag is benefiting * More big Australian assets about to hit the market * Australia’s hot spots for rural properties * Is there a bump on the way?
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In this weeks’ podcast episode, host Kerry Lonergan chats with MLA’s General Manager – International Markets, Andrew Cox. While their discussion was recorded prior to the recent announcement about re-approval of US beef imports to Australia, the pair discuss a range of topics including the impact of US tariff measures on global beef trade, and where Australia sits in relation to other nations’ tariffs. Among other topics, the pair discuss:* Brazil – should Australia be concerned about Brazil’s grinding meat heading for the US? * Where our best beef cuts are going * Lamb in the US * China market developments * Indonesia * Cambodia/ Thailand and Vietnam * The UK and EU…. and more
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In an era when leading restaurant chefs are viewed more like rock-stars than food purveyors, Sydney restaurateur Neil Perry is the Bruce Springsteen of the Australian fine-dining industry. His Sydney restaurants Margaret and (part-owned) Rockpool recently featured among the World’s Top 100 steak restaurants, ranking No 2 and No 12 respectively. What does he think about the future of Australian red meat? The Weekly Grill is brought to you by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
Paul Harris has built a successful Rockhampton-based rural accountancy practice over the past 40 years – but outside spreadOne of the Fullblood industry’s true pioneers, Paul and family have quietly built up one of Australia’s largest Fullblood Wagyu herds on showcase pulled scrub buffel grass and leucaena grazing country in Central Queensland.
In this podcast, host Kerry Lonergan chats with the veteran cattle producer about his professional journey – both as a beef producer and prominent agri-accountant. The Weekly Grill is brought to you by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
Prof Jim Pratley is one of Australia's best known ag educators, with a distinguished 40 year career.
In this wide ranging discussion with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan, he discusses what governments and industry could be doing to attract more students to careers in ag, and how ag education could be tailored for indigenous students.
Prof Pratley began his teaching career in 1972 at Wagga Wagga Agricultural College, now Charles Sturt University. As Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture and a long-serving Research Professor, he has influenced generations of educators and students through innovative teaching, research and mentoring.
Beyond the university setting, Prof Pratley has shaped national conversations on agricultural education. He led the NSW Ministerial Review into Agricultural Education and Training, helping elevate the importance of food and fibre in schools. He was a founding member of the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture and has served on boards and advisory panels across industry and research. His work spans areas such as weed management, viticulture, and rice production.
In 2019, Prof Pratley was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to agricultural science and education. The Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia recently honoured Prof Pratley as a national leader in agricultural education and a lifelong advocate for food and fibre learning.
With sweeping tariff changes in the US, dramatic currency movements, floods and widespread late summer rain in pastoral areas of QLD and NSW, there was a lot to talk about in the latest Weekly Grill markets update podcast with regular commentators Chris Howie and Matt Dalgleish.
In today's episode Kerry Lonergan catches up with the pair on US President Trump's evolving tariff negotiations and the implications for China, the knock-on affects for Australia and other international markets, and how this affects the local cattle and sheep markets.
In other news the trio discuss:
- The industry’s overreaction to Trump’s tariffs
- The impact of the drought in the south
- Livestock numbers moving north
- Winter cropping
- More feedlots custom-feeding
- MLA’s Confidence Survey
- Goats
- China
- Urea prices
- The outlook post winter
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IN today's podcast episode, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with three women turning the tables in an historically male-dominated industry:
• Alexandra Harvey - Australian Community Engagement Manager, Meat Business Women (MBW)• Rachel Gartshore - Winner of the MBW “One to Watch” Award 2025• Rebecca Kelson - GM Retail Operations Bindaree Food Group The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
IN today's podcast episode, host Kerry Lonergan chews the fat with prominent live export identity and veterinarian - Katherine-based Ross Ainsworth. The pair discuss recent live export trade trends, and how the industry manages the growing population of esturine (Asian) buffalo in the NT
Topics discussed: • Escalating numbers of wild buffalo in Arnhem Land • The environmental problems • Commercial opportunities / barriers• Feral camel and pig numbers• Live trade out of the north• Should Australia be worried about the boxed meat coming out of Brazil • Indonesian quarantine risks. LSD, FMD… and rabies. The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
IN today's podcast episode, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Consolidated Pastoral Co CEO Troy Setter.
The pair discuss topics of high interest within the beef industry presently, including the impact of Queensland's foreign owner land tax on investment appetite; the likely trade impacts of Brazil's recent gaining of FMD-freedom without vaccination; CPC's diversification/expansion out of beef into large-scale wool production; biosecurity developments and the trading environment in Vietnam, China and Indonesia.
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IN today's episode podcast, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with up with US animal genetics expert and award winning ag communicator Professor Alison Van Eenaammen. Prof Van Eenennaam is a distinguished Professor of Cooperative Extension in the field of Animal Genomics and Biotechnology in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis where she has been on faculty for over 20 years.
She spoke at the recent World Angus Congress in Brisbane on the opportunities and challenges for DNA and biotechnology in the beef industry.
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IN today’s episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Dr Frank Mitloehner, in a deep-dive into the beef industry’s climate impact, the importance of accurate accounting methodologies and why the livestock
“If we continue to reduce methane emissions in livestock sectors, whether through better grazing and forage, genetics, or tools coming online such as feed additives, livestock can be part of a climate solution. There aren’t many sectors that can say that,” he told the recent World Angus Forum.
Rather than being wrongly cast as a climate villain, Prof Mitloehner presented an opportunity for the livestock industry to be part of the climate solution.
“Farmers and graziers are stewards of the land and have been for generations. Stewardship is sometimes called sustainability, but regardless of the term, it’s part of the make-up of agriculture to manage the environment responsibly,” he said. “If we can reduce methane emissions from livestock, which we have, we can reduce warming by absorbing some of the excess greenhouse gases being emitted by industry.”
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IN today’s episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with John Stika, president and CEO of Certified Angus Beef, the world’s largest branded beef program. Over the last 47 years CAB has grown into a red meat marketing colossus, grading around six million cattle each year producing beef sold into dozens of countries worldwide.
But it hasn’t always been easy, going within a single vote of being cancelled in its formative years before the program turned a profit.
IN today's episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Angus cattle producers attending the World Angus Congress in Brisbane.
Genetic selection of cattle for lower methane, sustainability and consumer attitudes to climate issues were common themes throughout the two-day event.
In this podcast, Angus cattlemen and women from across Australia and overseas give their views on how genetic selection for low methane might unfold in coming years. Will it be driven by pull-through from beef brand programs wishing to make carbon/methane claims? Will price signals be necessary for bull breeders to add methane to the already long list of traits they select for?
Next week: Global livestock emissions crusader Frank Mitloener, who spoke this week at the World Angus Forum.
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In today's episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Dairy Australia's Sustainable Animal Care Manager Dr Andy Hancock, on progress in beef production from dairy calves.
Dairy Australia, the industry equivalent of MLA, is seeking beef industry input into the project called Calfways – a contraction of Calf Pathways. Developed over the past 18 months, the project originates from a dairy industry policy to ensure all dairy calves enter a valued market chain by 2035, with no on-farm euthanasia of viable calves.
To achieve the industry objectives, the project is aiming to input 300,000 to 400,000 extra animals per year into the beef supply chain.
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In today's episode Kerry Lonergan catches up with prominent nutritionist and food scientist Dr Anneline Padayachee.
Anneline is a strong advocate for the role of red meat in a balanced diet, and the broader role of food production and nutrition science in improving public health.
She is one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming World Angus Forum being staged in Brisbane on 7-8 May.
Beyond weight loss and disease treatment, Anneline views nutrition as fundamental to cellular health, growth, aging, disease prevention, and overall functioning.
With a PhD in nutritional food science and extensive experience in industry, research, and academia, Anneline provides independent scientific advice to a range of different clients and industry bodies. She is recognised nationally for her expertise and contributions to the field, holds positions in various professional organisations and has received awards for her work including being named Australia’s number one science communicator and one of the nations’ Top-50 cutting edge female scientists for her ability to translate science for industry and community.
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With sweeping tariff changes in the US, dramatic currency movements, floods and widespread late summer rain in pastoral areas of QLD and NSW, there was a lot to talk about in the latest Weekly Grill markets update podcast with regular commentators Chris Howie and Matt Dalgleish.
In today’s episode Kerry Lonergan catches up with the pair on US President Trump’s evolving tariff negotiations and the implications for China, the knock-on affects for Australia and other international markets, and how this affects the local cattle and sheep markets.
In other news the trio discuss:
- Media mis-reporting of beef prices
- The current market and the impact of the droughts in the south and floods in the north
- Livestock figures
- Record prices for mutton
- Predictions for the next quarter
- And more
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As part of Beef Central's Top 25 Livestock Transporters feature running this month (click here to access) Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week chats to Gerard Johnson, president of the Australian Livestock & Rural Transporters Association.
The pair discuss some of the big issues being faced by the livestock transport industry, including regulatory matters, driver access, cost-to-operate, and road condition and access.
The Top 25 Transporters feature coincides with today's ALRTA annual conference being staged in Canberra, being attended by Beef Central's James Nason, along with about 200 delegates from across the nation.
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Five gun Australian retail butchers are competing in the World Butchers' Challenge taking place in Paris France this weekend. Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan talks with team captain, South Australian butcher, Luke Leyson about this unique competition, and Australia's chances among the 24 nations competing.
Kerry and Luke discuss the Australian team's chances at the prestigious international event.
The podcast covers:
• Australia's previous performances at the event
• How the team prepares
• Our greatest rivals
• The competitions' format
• What the judges are looking for and how the winner is adjudicated
They also talk about the shape of Australia's retail butchering business, value-adding, the rise of pre-prepared meals, staffing issues... and more.
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In this week's episode, Kerry Lonergan discusses possible US Tariff scenarios with global meat trader and analyst, Simon Quilty from market intelligence firm, Global AgriTrends. Then attention turns to MLA's three year projections as Kerry chats with MLA's Market Information Manager, Stephen Bignell.
Simon Quilty, Global Agribusiness• Possible US Tariff implications• The economic factors the US should be taking into account• Best case scenario for Australia’s beef industry• Should there be a different tariff for grinding meat Vs quality beef cuts?• America lamb markets• Alternative export markets for grinding meat• The US traceability system• Biosecurity issues Stephen Bignell, MLA Manager - Market Information • MLA Market Projections for the next 3 years• Boxed beef markets: Indonesia and Vietnam • China - what are they buying?• The Middle Eastern high-end market• Carcase weights - producing more with less• The Live trade outlook• Local cold storage limitations
This week’s Weekly Grill podcast features Beef Central’s regular US-based columnist Steve Kay, publisher of US Cattle Buyers Weekly, on recent tariff developments between the US and major trading partners. While the fast-moving nature of the topic means there’s been developments on a couple of points since this item was recorded, much of the general sentiment remains. Topics discussed include:• President Trump’s delayed announcement of Tariffs• What the tariffs could mean for Mexico and Canada… and repercussions for Australia• How are US meat packers dealing with reduced supply?• The prospect of Aussie feeder cattle going to the US?• Any sign of the herd rebuilding?• Carcase weights. Are they too big?• More dry conditions forecast.• Have US export numbers dropped?• Predictions for 2025
Teys Australia feedlot general manager Grant Garey assumed the reins as president of the grainfed sector's peak body, ALFA, in November.
He arrives in the role at an important inflection point for the grainfed industry. During this podcast conversation with Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan, the pair discuss recent industry growth, appetite for further expansion, how water access is challenging some projects and the rising costs of feedlot development.
Other topics on the block include:
- The issue of accessing grain/protecting against drought
- Labour challenges, and ALFA’s Feedlot X initiative
- Ongoing work with using methane-inhibiting feed additives in the intensive feeding industry
- Emerging technologies of use to lotfeeders
- The impact of providing shade in feedlots, and where the industry is up to in achieving its shade objective
- How lotfeeding is influencing average carcase weights across the industry.
It's been 28 years since Australia last hosted a World Angus Congress, and interest across the Angus world is already reaching fever pitch ahead of the 2025 event being held in Brisbane and Tamworth in May.
In today's episode, podcast host Kerry Lonergan chats with Angus Australia's Scott Wright about preparations for the once-in-a-generation event. Up to 1000 Angus stakeholders from across Australia, New Zealand, North and South America and Europe are expected to gather for the Congress, Forum, and support events.
Already some red-hot tropics are emerging, including:
- Where to from here for Angus genetic progress? Can current rates of gain on eating quality, fertility and carcase traits be maintained?
- With US fed cattle carcase weights now pushing 900 pounds, is carcase size a concern in the Angus industry?
- The concepts and challenges of the Australian Beef Industry's quest for Carbon Neutral 2030
Scott provides a valuable run-down on what stakeholders attending the event can expect.
In today's episode, Kerry chats with veteran strategic researcher, Howard Parry-Husbands. • Working with MLA • Looking at the data to understand red meat eaters• Red meat consumption in Australia• Guilt fatigue (consumers now questioning the facts)• What the numbers and research data tells us about the negativity towards eating red meat / animal welfare and ethics in red meat production• Do plant-based foods pose a threat to the red meat industry? Do they have a future in our supermarkets?• Productivity and sustainability• Will artificial intelligence transform the way we farm?
In today's episode of The Weekly Grill, Kerry Lonergan chats with the Red Meat Advisory Council Independent Chair, John McKillop.
Welcome back to Beef Central popular Weekly Grill podcast series for 2025.
Today's first episode for the year sees the return of regular market watchers, RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish.
Weather conditions over the next couple of months will have a strong bearing on slaughter and store cattle prices heading deeper into 2025, the pair suggest in today's discussion with host. Other topics range from the impact of Trump's tariff actions, prospects for beef sales into the US, where cattle and beef prices are at record highs after the drought driven herd collapse, currency movements and other factors.
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As the festive season draws closer, pressure on the nation’s critically important charity groups like Foodbank reaches its height.
Foodbank is the largest hunger relief charity in Australia, providing the ‘food pantry’ to the charity sector across the country. This year alone, Foodbank sourced enough food for more than 92 million meals, and the number grows as cost of living pressures continue to mount.
In this final Weekly Grill podcast episode for the year, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Foodbank Australia chief executive Brianna Casey, and chief transformation officer Michael Davidson about the massive task at hand, and how people can help. Michael shares progress on the beef sector’s engagement with Foodbank, and the associated BeefBank concept.
The Weekly Grill will return with a new series in 2025.
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FOOD securuty has been in the news this week, and in today’s episode of the Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Andrew Henderson from AgSecure
Andrew is the principal of Agsecure, the independent chair of the Safemeat Advisory Group and a former adviser to the federal government on biosecurity and the red meat and livestock sector.
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Today's Weekly Grill podcast continues our occasional markets series, with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish.
Weather conditions over the next couple of months will have a strong bearing on slaughter and store cattle prices heading into 2025, regular markets contributors Chris Howie and Matt Dalgleish suggest in today's episode of the Weekly Grill podcast.
The pair also discuss the impact of the Trump victory in Wednesday's US elections on Australia trade, the prospects for more Australian beef into the US next years as US herd recovery kicks in, and where the bargains are likely to be found over the next six months in the store market.
This will be the last markets update in Beef Central's Weekly Grill podcast series for 2024.
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In this week's episode of the Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with respected leader for change and 2024 Nuffield Scholar, Catherine Marriott who was invited to present at the BeefEx feedlot convention in Brisbane recently.
Over the last 20 years, Catherine has worked as an executive, a non-executive director and consulting roles in the agricultural, reseach and regional development sectors in Australia and internationally. During this time, she has become a proven business leader, communicator and organisational renovator, focussed mostly on leadership development, advocacy and delivering innovative solutions for the industries in which she works.
In this episode the pair discuss Catherine's journey through the Nuffield program, ESG (Environmental Social Governance) and where it started, its impact across Europe, Asia and the United States, and how if impacts Australian agriculture.
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In this episode of the Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Centre for Food Integrity, who spoke at the grainfed beef industry's BeefEx conference in Brisbane last week.
He spoke about how global expectations around animal welfare are shaping beef production practices in Australia, and how the industry can help protect its freedom to operate.
This week Kerry Lonergan sat down with international economist and political theorist, Ralph Schoellhammer following his presentation at Beef Ex 2024.
Professor Schoellhammer specialises in the intersection of political philosophy and energy policies. His work explores how cultural convictions influence policy outcomes, particularly regarding energy, industry, and agriculture, addressing what he sees as a cultural self hate in the West.
As reported earlier this week, Professor Schoellhammer advocates 'The world needs more Australian agriculture and mining". However, as Kerry and the professor discuss, the challenge lies in changing deep-rooted idealologies.
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Momentum continues to grow in the sustainable and renewable energy field, with plenty of applications emerging in the beef industry's processing and lotfeeding sectors, especially.
In this week's Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Carl Duncan, former sustainability officer with Teys Australia who now heads sustainable energy solutions provider NRG-One.
The company helps agribusinesses reduce their carbon footprint for a variety of reasons, from reducing operating costs to making brand claims around carbon reduction.
How far can solar, methane capture and wind projects go in the bush?
The head of the vertically-integrated Stockyard grainfed beef business, Lachie Hart, sat down last week for an extended chat with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan.
Among a host of topics touched on by the pair was Stockyard’s experiences as one of Australia’s trail blazers in the field of sustainability performance-linked finance; the rapidly growing cost to operate in the commercial lotfeeding industry; Stockyard as a multi-generational family business; trials and adoption of new technologies like live animal scanning for marbling performance; and how the Stockyard business has evolved from its earlier heavy focus on Japan to other high-value export markets like the Middle East.
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There's a lot happening in the international and domestic environment that's shaping the Australian rural property market heading towards 2025, leading property marketing identity Danny Thomas tells Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan in this week's episode.
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Young Scotswoman Claire Taylor has risen in prominence as an ag communicator since tackling a Nuffield Scholarship last year, helping turn the tide on the global anti-farming agenda.
Farming is coming under increasing fire on multiple fronts, and the industry has a job to do, to rise above the noise and present a stronger, more united voice against many of the criticisms thrown at its door, she tells Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan in this week’s episode.
Throughout her Nuffield scholarship, Claire uncovered brilliant examples where farming has a voice at the decision-making table and strong relations with policymakers, the media, and members of the public. Her objective is to share these stories and encourage farmers to step outside the agricultural echo chamber and better communicate with members of the public, media and politicians, to ensure their voices are not only heard, but valued.
Claire grew up on a small beef farm on the west coast of Scotland, later studying Politics and International Relations at Edinburgh University. She spent ten years working with the BBC and the Scottish Farmer – first as a reporter and later as political editor - covering the ag sector she cares so passionately about.
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Recent episodes of animal activists using drones to intrude on feedlot sites has reignited interest in laws and rights over intrusion on private property.
In this week's Weekly Grill podcast with host Kerry Lonergan, Brisbane-based agribusiness lawyer Trent Thorne from Hamilton Locke steps through the laws, regulations and rights surrounding drone use, and how they apply to commercial businesses like feedlots and cattle properties.
Among other topics, the pair also discuss developments in the long-standing live export class action following the suspension of live export cattle trade into Indonesia in 2011, and what it takes to climb Mt Everest.
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Meat & Livestock Australia's new managing director Michael Crowley has well and truly got his feet under the desk since kicking off in his new job in late May.
Many in the industry got their first insight on Mr Crowley's take on the industry service delivery company's future direction in an address to the Queensland Rural Pres Club last month.
One of his key visions is to see Value-Based Marketing embedded within the Australian beef industry, delivering performance-based payments to producers that factor in meat yield, as well as meat quality and carcase traits.
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Rabobank’s general manager for ag research, Stefan Vogel chats with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan on where Australian livestock industries currently sit in a challenging global environment.
Logistical challenges around the Suez Canal, regional conflicts and challenging economic conditions are creating some headwinds for Australia’s ag exports – but there’s still plenty to be optimistic about, he says.
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University of Queensland genetics researcher Prof Ben Hayes
AI has exploded in importance over the past year or two across all areas of business, research and society in general, and the agriculture field is no exception.
What lies ahead for the use of AI in the beef industry? Is it a tool than can further increase the industry's rate of genetic gain, particularly on hard-to-measure traits? Where else can AI fit into the beef production system?
Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto was elected President with a landslide victory in February. Ahead of his inauguration on 20 October, what the the implications for Australian agricultural trade - and live cattle exports in particular - with our nearest neighbour?
Veteran live exporter Greg Pankhurst, who spent more than 20 years living and working in Indonesia, provides his view in this week’s Weekly Grill podcast episode with host, Kerry Lonergan.
In March this year, Prabowo said he believed that within five years Indonesia would be able to become a net food exporter and gain food independence. How realistic is this target?
Today's Weekly Grill podcast continues our occasional markets series, with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish.
The looming impact of the US drought on global beef demand over the next two years out of the US and other countries is one of the key focuses in today's update.
Slaughter and store cattle supply and demand heading into spring could produce some surprises, the pair suggest
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Competitive Texas BBQ smoker cooking is a huge activity in the United States, and one of the best in the business - Phil Breeden - is in Australia at present, competing in a local competition, delivering master-classes and checking out the Australian Texas BBQ scene.
Phil has been involved in competitive BBQ events in the US and Canada since 2015, and is now full-time professional competitor, having competed in 167 sanctioned US competitions, earning 16 grand championships and 19 reserves to date. Along with fellow Texan BBQ competitor Bill Purvis, Phil is visiting Australia as a guest of the Australian BBQ Alliance.
He caught up with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan during his visit.
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This week's Weekly Grill podcast is a conversation with livestock scientist Fran Cowley from the University of New England, whose current work focusses on managing and mitigating livestock methane emissions.
Associate Professor in livestock production at UNE, her current work includes looking for better ways to predict emissions from feedlot cattle. A lot of this was a future-proofing exercise – providing support to grain feeding being a method of reducing the carbon footprint of beef.
“The feedlot industry is an important way that we can work towards a carbon-neutral food production system,” she said.
“In the future, it’s highly likely that we will see an environment where there will be a price on market access on carbon. Being able to have a more accurate and lower estimate of the emissions and carbon footprint of feedlots is going to ease potential issues accessing markets that require no or low emission product,” she said.
Prof Cowley reinforced the importance of producers continuing to adopt best practices, with research reinforcing the importance of feeding more efficiently and making sure that every mouthful of feed that cattle are consuming is being turned into more beef.
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In this week's Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Queensland lotfeeder Charlie Mort, principal of Mort & Co.
The pair discuss the changing Australian feedlot environment, plans for the construction of Mort & Co's new Central Queensland feedlot near Gogango, market demand for grainfed beef and other topics.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Jack Owen is a Victorian sheep-meat producer who used to spend hours thinking about what his neighbours were doing and how successful they were – until he decided to stop thinking and do something about it – so he interviewed over 200 successful farmers and graziers and made notes on how they operated and why they there successful.
The result is his personal improvement book, 'You Are Not Your Farm - What the top 5pc of farmers are doing that the average farmer is not.'
His work takes a broad sweep of common farming practices – and personal likes and dislikes among the primary producers he spoke to, which contribute to ongoing success.
Much of this is self-evident, but there’s also thought-provoking assessments which will challenge our everyday habits, he tells Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan.
His book is available from the Amazon books website.
Victorian veterinarian Dr Craig Wood is the new president of the Australian Cattle Vets, a special interst group of the Australian Veterinarians Association.
A cattle specialist at Mortlake Vet Clinic, Dr Wood succeeds Broome WA vet, Dr Tracy Sullivan as ACV president.
In a wide ranging discussion, Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan chats with Dr Wood about the role vets would play in any exotic disease incursion in Australia, the current level of risk from LSD and FMD from nearby Indonesia, and the challenges in attracting young veterinarians to work in the bush.
The Australian Cattle Vets members provide crucial services to agricultural producers who feed the country, playing key roles in disease surveillance, securing the nation’s quarantine status and protecting ongoing productivity. Members also have a significant responsibility in managing and maintaining animal welfare.
The ACV is one of the AVA's largest special interest groups, with 1100 members across Australia. Members come from private practice, government departments including agriculture and quarantine services, research, and animal health companies. The ACV has representation on Cattle Australia, with which it has associate membership, and works closely with other cattle industry bodies.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Fifth generation retail butcher Michael James operates a successful retail site at the inner southeastern Brisbane suburb of Carina. He also represents independent retailers on the board of the Australian Meat Industry Council.
In this Weekly Grill episode, Michael speaks with host Kerry Lonergan about the current domestic retail beef trading environment, where consumers face considerable cost of living presses and time constraints.
Are customers shifting out of steak into mince, or out of beef into cheaper chicken and pork? How are modern independent butchers countering the challenge of the dominant national supermarket meat retailers?
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Today's Weekly Grill podcast continues our occasional markets series, with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish.
The looming impact of the US drought on global beef demand over the next two years out of the US and other countries is one of the key focuses in today's update.
Slaughter and store cattle supply and demand heading into winter could produce some surprises, the pair suggest
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Carbon, industry advocacy and greater need for education in agriculture came into focus during Weekly Grill podcast host, Kerry’s Lonergan’s lengthy chat this week with large scale Queensland beef producer MDH’s Julie McDonald.
Julie wears many hats within the family-owned MDH cattle business. In addition to providing an update on MDH’s cattle operations spread across 14 properties in North, Central and southern Queensland totalling some 3.4 million hectares, she shares her thoughts on carbon – saying while its represents an opportunity for the industry, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Julie said it was important for the industry to have government understanding of the difference between carbon and methane. Carbon and the associated impositions on the beef industry needed to be carefully thought out, and agriculture needs to be weary that it is not simply burdened by additional costs.
MDH is using AgForce’s carbon assessment tool AgCare, and is very happy with it, she says in this week’s Weekly Grill.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
The long, hot, wet 2023-24 summer saw a marked rise in Three Day Sickness across Australia, including outbreaks in areas as far south as Victoria where it has never before been seen. In those regions, naive herds never previously exposed to BEF were hard-hit, with stock losses reported. Is climate change and warner temperatures behind it, or is it simply natural variation from season to season?
Zoetis's senior veterinary technical manager Dr Lee Taylor provides some answers, and suggestions for preventative management in different parts of Australia.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
AS part of Beef Central's coverage of this week's Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton, the industry's national exhibition held every three years, we present our special daily podcast series, Trendsetters.
Today's fifth episode features former Australian Agricultural Co boardmember, and former MLA chairman David Crombie, reflecting on 200 years of continuous operations for AA Co.
The company celebrated its bicentenary with a lively long lunch on Tuesday during Beef 2024, attended by 450 stakeholders, past and present.
This week’s Trendsetters special podcast series is brought to readers and listeners by Colliers Agribusiness.
AS part of Beef Central's coverage of this week's Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton, the industry's national exhibition held every three years, we present our special daily podcast series, Trendsetters.
Today's third episode features Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture CRC chief executive, Richard Heath.
The ZNE-Ag CRC was brokered by The University of Queensland and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, with a consortium of 73 partners across industry, government and education.
The Australian Government’s CRC contribution of $87 million is the largest in the program’s history.
Mr Heath says ZNE-Ag will support the industry to achieve emissions targets in Australian agriculture by 2030 and 2050.
Coming up in this series: US National Cattlemens Beef Association president Mark Eisele and former MLA chair, NFF president and AACo director David Crombie reflecting on 200 years of AAco.
This week’s Trendsetters special podcast series is brought to readers and listeners by Colliers Agribusiness.
AS part of Beef Central's coverage of this week's Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton, the industry's national exhibition held every three years, we present our special daily podcast series, Trendsetters.
Today's second episode features dynamic young New Zealand livestock producer Nancy Crawshaw, who recently received the 2024 Zanda MacDonald award. As part of her employment with Angus Australia, Nancy crossed the ditch to experience her first Rockhampton Beef Expo.
She previously worked with Teys Australia in a supplier relationship role, working her way through the ranks.
Coming up in this series: US National Cattlemens Beef Association president Mark Eisele; Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture CRC chief executive, Richard Heath.
As part of Beef Central's coverage of this week's Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton, the industry's national exhibition held every three years, we present our special daily podcast series, Trendsetters.
Setting the scene in today's first episode is Cattle Australia chairman, Garry Edwards. Speaking as the three-yearly industry event opened this morning, Mr Edwards said Cattle Australia had been working hard to ensure the interests of grassfed cattle producers were not just represented, but were being advanced.
He also appealed to producers to cast off their humble nature and speak proudly on behalf of the largest levy-paying sector in the Australian economy.
“My words are simple - get comfortable being uncomfortable and having conversations with people you don’t know,” he said.
“Embrace the challenge and get out there and talk to people who don’t look like you, who don’t understand what you do, because they are the consumers of your product and ultimately deliver our social licence. That is critical to the profitability and sustainability of our future."
Garry Edwards will be on the speaking panel during Beef 2024's Queensland Rural Press Club breakfast on Thursday.
This week's Trendsetters special podcast series is brought to readers and listeners by Colliers Agribusiness.
Today’s Weekly Grill podcast turns to the important topic of mental health in the bush, with contributions from Dolly’s Dream general manager Sally McSweeny and neuro science specialist Dr Simone Shaw.
Dolly’s Dream was created by NT couple Kate and Tick Everett following the loss of their 14-year-old daughter, Dolly, to suicide, after ongoing bullying. They have been tirelessly working since then to change the culture of bullying. Today Dolly’s Dream addresses the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide through direct support to young people and their families, especially to those living in rural, regional and remote Australia.
At Beef 2024 in Rockhampton next month, Do It For Dolly Day will be celebrated in Friday 10 May, dedicated to bringing the community together, spreading kindness, and uniting to end bullying in honour of Dolly Everett.
Here’s how visitors can participate:
Go blue: Wear something blue on Friday 10 May or come down to the McKenzie Pavillion and buy some Dolly’s Dream merchandise.
Be kind: Embrace kindness in all your actions and go that extra mile on the day (or week!) to be kind to someone. One kind word can change someone’s entire day.
Fundraise: Help raise funds to deliver our anti-bullying initiatives. Your efforts will ensure that we can continue to support young people and families experiencing bullying. You can register your activity here.
Donations: You can download a Do It For Dolly Day poster to display at your Beef 2024 site to encourage donations.
There is also a fundraising lunch “Dining for a Dream” planned for Tuesday 7 May. Click here for further details.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Driven by favourable weather across eastern Australia, and growing international beef demand, the 2024 cattle market has some strong underpinnings for the 12 months ahead.
Today's Weekly Grill podcast continues our occasional markets series, with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish.
The looming impact of the US drought on global beef supply and beef demand over the next two years out of the US and other countries is a key focus in today's update.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on Darwin-based rural property valuer Frank Peacocke, discussing the outlook for land values in the Northern Territory and Kimberley region, alternate landuse with the region's emerging farming sector, carbon opportunities and other issues.
As part of our series relating to AA Co's 200-year anniversary this year, today's Weekly Grill episode sees host Kerry Lonergan chatting with former AA Co senior manager Geoff Wagstaff, who worked with the company for almost 30 years, from 1979.
Here's some of Geoff's recollections of early company operations.
Click here to view Beef Centrals' earlier story on AA Co's genetics history
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
On the eve of the annual Inter-Collegiate Meat Judging northern conference in Rockhampton next week, Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan chats with ICMJ chairman Peter McGilchrist, on how the education body came into being, what purpose it currently serves for the beef and sheepmeat industry, and who has been part of the program over the years
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Former NFF President Brent Finlay came out of the paddock two decades ago to tackle agricultural representation including local, state, commodity, national and World Farm Organisation roles.
Passionate about Australia's greatest industry - agriculture - its people, its communities and its products, he is seeking support from across the sector and the rural community for landmark reforms to Australian agricultural representation.
Relieving unnecessary regulatory burdens is just one of the topics raised during today's discussion with Weekly Grill podcast host, Kerry Lonergan.
With the countdown to the Australian beef industry's paramount event, Beef 2024, now down to seven weeks, podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week chats with event chairman Bryce Camm.
More than 100,000 Australian and international meat and livestock industry stakeholders are expected to pass through the Rocky Showgrounds for the six-day event.
How are preparations going? What's new for 2024? How can patrons extract the maximum benefit from attending? Beef 2024 chairman Bryce Camm has high expectations for the May event, which promises to inform, educate and entertain patrons like never before.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week chats with John Seccombe, Northern NSW beef producer and chairman of the Northern Co-operative Meat Co processing business at Casino.
Operating since 1933, NCMC is recognised in Australia and globally as an industry leader in red meat processing, and along with WAMMCo in Western Australia, is one of only two cooperatively-structed red meat processors in the country. Through its world-class processing facilities, NCMC provides customers with a unique opportunity to process beef, veal and, pork.
John has chaired the NCMC board for the past 11 years.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week chats with Michael Lee - Group manager for Science and Innovation at Meat & Livestock Australia.
In this role he provides strategic direction and leadership to MLA’s Science & Innovation team with the scope of work including food safety, processing efficiencies, automation, digital agriculture, objective measurement, food innovation, meeting market specifications, and positioning red meat value chains for future growth - as well as increasing demand for red meat through pioneering products and processes and new tools, techniques and technologies.
Michael comes from a food and packaging technology background with 25 years’ experience across the meat supply chain from retail to operations. Prior to joining MLA he has worked for Woolworths Supermarkets National Office, Hans Smallgoods, and JBS Australia in various commercial and technical roles.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Weekly Grill host, Kerry Lonergan this week catches up with Cattle Australia chief executive, Dr Chris Parker. Among other topics, the pair discuss the grassfed cattle levy, carbon and methane, biosecurity, skilled labour shortages, sustainability … and more.
With Wednesday’s Indonesian national election victory being claimed by the Gerindra party’s Prabowo Subianto, attention will now focus on the prospects for 2024 live cattle import permits to be issued, following lengthy delays.
In this week’s Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Darwin based live exporter Patrick Underwood from Australian Cattle Enterprises, discussing the permit issue, prospects for live exports to Indonesia and other markets throughout 2024, and what happens to northern cattle – now rapidly gaining weight - if there are further permit delays.
While unofficial tallies conducted by Indonesian polling agencies yesterday had Subianto holding between 57 percent and 59 percent of votes, it will take Indonesia’s Election Commission up to a month to confirm the final results.
This week’s Weekly Grill podcast guest, Chris Evans, has spent his working life involved in extensive cattle operations across Northern Australia – both as a consultant/advisor and under his own steam.
He was managing director and later chairman of prominent agribusiness consultancy and asset managers Taylor Byrne (later Rural Management Partners) from 1987 to 2015, managing a wide range of pastoral assets across Queensland, the NT and the Kimberley region. For a lengthy period he also played a significant role in Indigenous-owned pastoral operations.
Chris also spent almost a decade as a director of Consolidated Pastoral Co, and under his own ownership, runs Bulloo River Pastoral Co, operating Nyngarie Station near Quilpie.
He sits on the Western Queensland Beef Research Committee, and in 2013, undertook a new business venture, launching online rural merchandise sales platform, FarmShop Australia.
Driven by favourable weather across eastern Australia, the 2024 cattle market has opened with a flourish, as slaughter cattle, young cattle and breeder replacements all trend sharply higher in value.
Today's Weekly Grill podcast hosted by Kerry Lonergan features independent analyst Simon Quilty, discussing the current market environment and what lies ahead. Is the best of the price rally now behind us? Will current cattle prices be sustained? Will processors facing labour challenges be able to cope with greater slaughter cattle volume? What impact will the beef herd decline in the United States have on Australian meat and livestock markets?
These and other questions are explored in this week's episode.
Driven by favourable weather across eastern Australia, the 2024 cattle market has opened with a flourish, as slaughter cattle, young cattle and breeder replacements all trend sharply higher in value.
Today's return of Beef Central's Weekly Grill podcast series begins with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish discussing the current market environment and what lies ahead. Is the best of the price rally now behind us? Will current prices be sustained? Will processors facing labour challenges be able to cope with greater slaughter cattle volume? These and other questions are explored in this week's episode.
The looming impact of the US drought on global beef supply and beef demand over the next two years out of the US is another key focus in today's update.
These and other topics are posed in today's cattle market update podcast by Weekly Grill host, Kerry Lonergan.
Today's first podcast for the year is out of sync, due to the Friday public holiday, but normal Friday podcast upload schedules will resume from Friday this week, when Kerry Lonergan talks with analyst Simon Quilty.
adoption of of new practises and technologies.
Based out of Mareeba, west of Cairns, the Queensland Department of Agriculture senior beef extension officer received a NABRC Lifetime Achievement Medal during the recent at the Northern Beef Research Update conference in Darwin.
Along with great depth and breadth of knowledge of extensive grazing operations in northern Australia, Bernie brings unbridled passion, energy and an engaging presence in his mission to help producers in his region optimise their operations' efficiency and productivity.
In this week's Weekly Grill podcast discussion with host, Kerry Lonergan, Bernie discusses the evolution of beef extension in northern Australia, and modern day challenges and opportunities to bridge the gap between research and development, and the adoption phase by beef producers, in an era where they have countless other demands on their time.
Mentoring young extension personnel has also been a passion as he enters the twilight of his career.
During their conversation, Kerry asks Bernie a key question: "What changes would you make if you were Queensland Agriculture Minister for a week?"
It’s National Ag Day today, and in response Weekly Gill podcast host Kerry Lonergan chats with freshly-minted National Farmers Federation President, David Jochinke.
The NSW farmer and grazier took over from Fiona Simson in late October, wasting no time in launching an unprecedented campaign against anti-farming policies.
In their final livestock markets wrap for the year, regular markets commentators, RMA’s Chris Howie and Ep3’s Matt Dalgleish face the big questions:
Are we at or near the bottom of the cattle and sheep price cycle? What impact will the forecast drier summer have on supply and demand? What are the main drivers heading into 2024?
These and other topics are posed in today’s cattle market update podcast by Weekly Grill host, Kerry Lonergan.
Where is progress up to in the development of feed additives designed to mitigate the product of methane in the rumen of beef cattle? In this week's podcast, host Kerry Lonergan chews the fat with Dr Adam Main from CH4 Australia, a company producing feed additives based on asparagopsis seaweed, farmed in a network of land-based ponds on the Eyre Peninsula. The products are already in commercial use in South Australia.
Adam also talks about the benefits and applications of farming seaweed for cattle beyond the well-worn carbon/methane debate.
As the Australian red meat industry approaches the twenty-fifth anniversary of the launch of Meat Standards Australia, this week's Weekly Grill podcast episode dives deep into the evolution of the ground-breaking tenderness guarantee program with one of its pioneers, Rod Polkinghorne.
Rod provides a detailed and comprehensive background into what existed prior to MSA, the circumstances that led to the program's development and launch, and the originality of the 'consumer-driven' approach to meat science. Indeed, one of MSA's early signatures was the use of the 'empty chair', signifying that every decision at board level had to pass the 'pub test' with the average beef eating consumer before implementation.
Nobody has contributed more to MSA's enduring success than Rod, and his partner in countless consumer taste test programs and research trials over the past 30 years, Judy Philpott.
CAN Australia do more with its red meat production than simply putting it in a box and selling it in chilled or frozen form? Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week sits down with successful beef jerky manufacturer Emily Pullen, whose family produces the popular Jim's Jerky range in Queensland.
Jim's Jerky ploughs through about four tonnes of grassfed topsides each week producing its tasty beef snacks, marketed through major domestic supermarket retailers, roadhouses and exported into a large number of overseas countries.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week sits down with Cattle Australia's acting chief executive, Queensland beef producer Adam Coffey.
The pair discuss Cattle Australia's bedding-down over its first 12 months, progress on plans to fund the grassfed industry representative body, and CA's recent call to shift the beef industry's environmental benchmark focus from 'carbon neutral' to 'climate neutral' - designed to concentrate on the bottom-line warming impact of the industry. As part of this, it called for a review of MLA’s CN30 (Carbon Neutral) framework.
Cattle Australia is approaching the end of its first full year of operation as Australia’s new peak representative body for the nation’s 40,000-plus grassfed cattle producers, and will soon start calling on producer support in the form of annual membership fees to help resource its advocacy efforts on their behalf.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week sits down with Justin Slaughter, who has risen through the ranks in his 31-year career in the Australian meat and livestock industry.
Justin is CEO and managing director of AgTrade, an Australian-owned, globally-focused livestock, genetics and food security company, with a commitment to working across the livestock supply chain to provide protein to all major markets around the world. The AgTrade group of businesses include live export service provider Austrex; specialised beef supply chain manager and exporter Paradigm Foods, and ThriveAgri. Together, the companies span premium branded beef, pork and lamb products; breeding livestock and genetics; animal feed & nutrition products; and breeding, dairy & beef livestock export.
Justin has previously served in a range of industry representative roles including as chair of the Queensland Livestock Exporters Association and director of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council, as well as participating in various trade & ministerial delegations to improve market access for Australian primary producers. In 2013, he received a Livestock Industry Young Achiever Award for his dedication to the live export industry.
The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.
Australian young cattle and slaughter cattle prices have continued to descend during the first eight months of 2023. In this week's podcast, regular markets commentators, RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish face the big questions:
Are processors going to be able to cope (labour wise) with larger numbers of slaughter cattle? If not, what happens to prices? These and other topics are posed in today's cattle market update podcast by Weekly Grill host, Kerry Lonergan.
Other topics include the rapidly changing circumstances in the US beef production cycle, the impact of this month's UK Free Trade Agreement, the log-jam of young cattle in northern Australia caused by the Lumpy Skin Disease regulatory episode, and other potential headwinds and tailwinds
Thirty-three year old Mitch Highett is a city boy by origin, but has forged an impressive early career in the beef industry. He chats this week with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan.
The Australian winner of the 2023 Zanda McDonald award lives in Orange NSW, and is the founder and managing director of Bullseye Ag. Mitch's farm management company works alongside farms across NSW and QLD with an area totalling more than 200,000ha. He also has a cattle enterprise running 250 breeders, and assists farmers through the Rural Assistance Authority and as Chair of the NSW Young Farmers.
Elders' Northern Australian property chief Tim Lane, and LAWD director and head valuer Tim McKinnon chew the fat with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week about the property market outlook.
Has the gloss gone off, because of the slump in cattle prices, dry weather and elevated interest rates? Are corporates about to mount another big acquisition surge?
Australian Country Choice head Anthony Lee gave a powerful address at Brisbane Ekka this time last year on the need for greater industry focus on training and education. What's happened in the 12 months since?
This week's Weekly Grill podcast takes a different approach, chatting with beef industry stakeholders, politicians and others about what's on their mind.
Cost of production, the prospects of heading back into drought, and carbon came up in several conversations, as did the genetic progress being made in the Australian beef industry - manifested in the Ekka's magnificent stud beef judging display.
This week's Weekly Grill podcast take a look at the red meat processing labour challenge, and possible solutions, from another perspective - through an interview with the Australian Meat Industry Employee's Union Queensland branch manager, Matt Journeaux.
Mr Journeaux and podcast host Kerry Lonergan chew the fat on a range of issues from attracting employees to work in the processing industry, to overseas labour programs and whether they represent a threat to local employment, the need for training and the modern day role of the union movement.
CREATIVE solutions to processing labour challenges, trends in the slaughter and store cattle markets, and how the business has moved on from devastating flooding in early 2022 were topics served up during this week’s Weekly Grill podcast, where host Kerry Lonergan has a lengthy chat with southeast Queensland beef processor and producer Terry Nolan, co-principal of Nolan Meats near Gympie.
Mr Nolan was the subject on the very first episode of the Weekly Grill almost three years ago, and the pair discuss the dramatic changes seen in the beef industry landscape since then – for both producers and processors.
Fresh back from a marketplace visit to Indonesia, Consolidated Pastoral Co head and Livecorp chairman Troy Setter sits down to chew the fat in the latest episode of Beef Central's Weekly Grill podcast.
Host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat, asking about beef demand and economic conditions in Indonesia, boat cattle livestock price prospects for the rest of the year, and other trends.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Cattle Australia CEO, Luke Bowen.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on two of Australia's leading meat scientists, Prof Graham Gardiner and Dr Peter McGilchrist - who have headed Australia's recent research into objective carcase measurement. The ground-breaking ALMTech project driving advances in objective measurement for carcase yield and quality officially came to a close on 30 June.
So what's been achieved? What remains to be done? Is there a risk of the work stalling, now that funding for the research under ALMTech has come to a close? Why does the industry even need objective measurement of beef and lamb carcases?
These and other questions are covered by Dr McGilchrist and Prof Gardiner, in this detailed four-way discussion with Weekly Grill editor Kerry Lonergan and Beef Central's Jon Condon
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on the woman regarded by many as the 'voice of the bush' in Canberra, Senator Susan McDonald.
Among the broad topics discussed, Sen McDonald was the chair of the Senate inquiry into Definitions of Meat and Other Animal Products back in 2022, that proposed a raft of changes to terminology around plant-based meat and other issues. What's happened since?
This week, Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on international red meat advocate, Laura Ryan
Australian young cattle and slaughter cattle prices have continued to descend during the first half of 2023. In this week's podcast, regular markets commentators, RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish face the big questions: Are we at or near the bottom of the price cycle? What impact will the forecast drier winter have on cattle supply and demand?
Are processors going to be able to cope (labour wise) with larger numbers of slaughter cattle? If not, what happens to prices? These and other topics are posed in today's cattle market update podcast by Weekly Grill host, Kerry Lonergan.
Other topics include the rapidly changing circumstances in the US beef production cycle, the impact of this month's UK Free Trade Agreement and other potential headwinds and tailwinds.
TAKE a look in any supermarket retail chilled cabinet, and it's evident that value-added meat products are rapidly soaking up space previously devoted to basic chilled, packaged beef and lamb.
Around the world, time-poor householders are increasingly looking at more convenient heat-and-serve and ready-to-eat meals.
One of the pioneers in the value-added further processing industry in Australia, David Beak, sits down with the Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week.
His Sydney-based food manufacturing business, Beak & Johnston, employs 1200 staff, and is in the process of opening an enormous new state-of the-art facility to keep up with booming domestic and international demand.
What does it mean for the Australian beef and lamb industries?
As an aside, David has a close family connection with pastoral industry legends, the Vestey family, and recounts some of his memories with Kerry.
New South Wales beef producer George King's views expressed in an opinion piece on carbon published on Beef Central back in March attracted an extraordinary level of reader comment.
Mr King, who also joined the board of the new Cattle Australia board representing the grassfed cattle industry in December, sat down with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan last week to chew the fat.
Angus seedstock breeders are gathered in Tamworth this week for their annual conference, and in this week's Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan caught up with Angus Australia president Erica Halliday.
Erica talks about the challenges and opportunities facing Angus cattle and beef in Australia, progress in objective measurement of an ever-widening list of production, fertility and meat quality traits, with some focus on sustainability issues, including feed efficiency measurement and related topics.
Beef Central’s Weekly Grill podcasts brought to readers by sponsors, Zoetis and Elders.
IN this week's episode, 88-year-old beef processing industry veteran Allan Teys reflects on his experiences stretching across seven decades in the red meat and livestock industry.
Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan digs deep into the industry's eventful past in this interview with Mr Teys, who before retirement headed the Teys processing business for more than 35 years and represented the industry as a long-standing chairman of the Australian Meat Industry Council and its predecessors. The pair explore the evolution of the multi-generational Teys business - from humble beginnings as retail butchers in Brisbane to small scale abattoir operations, and onwards to become the industry powerhouse it is today.
He cut his teeth buying cattle at Brisbane's old Cannon Hill saleyards in the 1950s.
Mr Teys reflects on the good times, as well as the bad, and the colourful as well as the sober - including the 1974 Beef Slump, dealings with the late Kerry Packer during the Consolidated Meat Group alliance, and the relationships between producers and processors.
For any students of the history of the Australian beef industry, this interview provides an important resource.
In this week's episode, Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on MLA international markets manager Andrew Cox, with a focus on Australian red meat's Free Trade Agreements.
Australia is drawing closer to start under the new agreement with the United Kingdom, and steady progress is taking place behind the scenes over a new trade agreement with the European Union.
It is widely anticipated that Prime Minister Albansese will make an announcement about the UK FTA while in London this weekend for Charles' investiture.
Hear Andrew's take on future trade prospects into these and other regions where Australia sells red meat.
This week's episode continues an occasional showcase series on interesting pieces of emerging ag technology.
Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan points the microphone at AirAgri's James Diamond, who has developed a personal location finder device with high workplace safety implications for agriculture. The mobile app based technology works in conjunction with an iOT tracking device to ensure farmer safety.
Dr Mark Ferguson is from New Zealand tech developer neXtgen Agri, whose AI-driven facial recognition technology for livestock is in an advanced stage of development for individual animal ID and herd management purposes.
Goats used to be the supplementary commodity that 'helped pay the annual boarding school fees' for many livestock operators in western regions. Then the market for goats soared to record highs during COVID, before crashing spectacularly over the past six months. Where does the goat market go from here? Is international demand in recovery? Have goat numbers bred up after the drought to the point of over-supply? In this episode of the Weekly Grill podcast series host Kerry Lonergan talks with Western Meat Exporters' Campbell McPhee.
Australian young cattle and slaughter cattle prices have continued to descend since our opening markets summary podcast with regular commentators, Stockco's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish back in late January. Two months on, are we near the bottom of the price cycle? Is there still a way to go? What impact will the forecast drier winter have on cattle supply and demand?
Are processors going to be able to cope (labour wise) with larger numbers of slaughter cattle? If not, what happens to prices? These and other questions are posed in today's cattle market update podcast by Weekly Grill host, Kerry Lonergan.
Other topics include the rapidly changing circumstances in the US beef production cycle, China demand and other potential headwinds and tailwinds.
Big changes are sweeping the Australian grainfed beef industry, and today's episode of the Weekly Grill podcast captures some of the big trends evident in Beef Central's current Top 25 Lotfeeders industry analysis. Join Zoetis's Andrew Hallas and Beef Central's Jon Condon, as they sit down with podcast host Kerry Lonergan to explore the big trends in the industry, and what's driving them.
The reverse countdown Top 25 feature started a fortnight ago, and is currently up to No 13 - the Rowe family's Princess Royal. The final 12 'big hitters' are still to come.
Click here to access the Top 25 Lotfeeders report.
This week's Weekly Grill podcast focusses on Highland Beef Pastoral Co, a unique Australian certified grassfed beef supply chain targetting the United States home-delivery beef market.
As principal Murray Richardson explains, Highland Beef - somewhat unusually - was 'reverse engineered', in that the large US customer was found first, and the supply chain built around it. The business now manages a large and growing beef herd under a unique business model, but does it without owning one hectare of land.
Highland Beef is tapping into the growing population of US consumers looking for cleaner, healthier food options.
As a former Reserve Bank of Australia economist, Mr Richardson has taken a fresh and original approach to building and growing his business.
This week's podcast features an interview with live export industry pioneer Dr Rick Trivett.
As the head of Austrex, Rick has ridden the peaks and troughs of the Australian live export industry, pioneering trade into Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other parts of the world.
This week's podcast is an interview with the grassfed cattle industry's new boss, David Foote, chairman of Cattle Australia.
The freshly-minted peak council has a big task in front of it, not the least being developing a viable funding model.
It made a solid and popular start this week appointing Luke Bowen as the organisation's inaugural CEO.
Mr Foote shares his early thoughts in the direction, purpose and approach of Cattle Australia.
This week's podcast is an interview with Beef Central's veteran saleyards market reporter Murray Arnel, who retires shortly after a distinguished 45-year career watching the ebbs and flows of the southern cattle and sheep markets.
Murray has covered store and prime cattle and sheep sales across Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales since the late 1970s.
Welcome back to the 2023 third series of Beef Central podcasts, the Weekly Grill, with host Kerry Lonergan.
Today's second episode is a start-of-year assessment of the cattle and beef industry's state of health in 2023, and the issues at hand with MLA managing director Jason Strong.
Among other topics, the pair discuss research and development, marketing and market access priorities for Australian red meat in 2023, and possible weather impacts with a forecast return to El Nino by mid-year.
Next week's podcast is an interview with Beef Central's veteran saleyards market reporter Murray Arnel, who retires shortly after a distinguished 45-year career watching the ebbs and flows of the southern cattle and sheep markets.
Sponsoring our Weekly Grill podcast series are Kelly's Finance Group and Elanco Animal Health.
Welcome back to the 2023 third series of Beef Central podcasts, the Weekly Grill with host Kerry Lonergan.
Today's season-opening interview is a start-of-year assessment of the cattle and beef markets for 2023 with regular commentators, Stockco's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish.
The pair discuss the 2023 year and what lies ahead: the dramatic adjustments in slaughter and young cattle prices seen since the start of the year; weather impacts with a forecast return to El Nino by mid-year; the effect of the US drought on demand for Australian beef in international markets and other potential headwinds and tailwinds.
Next week's episode 2 will be an interview with MLA managing director Jason Strong.
Today's final 2022 Weekly Grill podcast with host Kerry Lonergan is an interview with Flinders + Co branded beef supply chain principal, James Madden. Flinders + Co created headlines in 2018 when it became the first meat company in the world to fully offset all carbon emissions from not only its own business, but every kilogram of meat it sold. What has happened since?
The Weekly Grill podcast series goes into summer recess but we'll be back for Series Three in early 2023. We hope you'll join us again then.
Today's Weekly Grill podcast with host Kerry Lonergan is an end-of-season wrap-up of the cattle and beef markets with regular commentators, Stockco's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish.
The pair discuss the 2022 year that was, and what lies ahead. One of the unexpected twists that took place this year was the brief, but dramatic drop in cattle prices around July, when cattle producers were spooked by concerns over an FMD or LSD disease incursion from nearby Indonesia. The looming impact of the US drought on global beef supply and demand over the next two years is another key focus in today's update.
Next week's episode 40 will be the last for the year, before the Weekly Grill goes into summer recess. The final episode is an interview with Flinders + Co branded beef supply chain principal, James Madden. Flinders + Co created headlines in 2018 when it became the first meat company in the world to fully offset all carbon emissions from not only its own business, but every kilogram of meat it sold. What has happened since?
MLA’s corporate chef Sam Burke has an infectious enthusiasm for all things red meat, and the endless possibilities in how best to enjoy it when cooking a quick mid-week meal for the family, or a long weekend lunch with friends out of the smoker.
Any reader who has attended one of MLA's big industry events has probably heard Sam speak, or indeed eaten his some of his great food.
In this extensive Weekly Grill interview with host Kerry Lonergan, the larger-than-life character looks at the changing needs of red meat consumers as the world continues its recovery after COVID lockdowns; how lesser known cuts have gained considerable traction with food service and retail customers; how techniques like seam cutting are lifting carcase value; and the presence of plant-based meat substitutes in the market.
The Weekly Grill headed to the feedlot industry's BeefEX conference in Brisbane last week, catching up with Darling Downs lotfeeder David Brown for an extended chat on the present challenges and opportunities in lotfeeding, plus a series of 'vox pop' responses from other lotfeeders attending the conference.
David, a trained veterinarian who owns and operates the West Talgai feedlot near Allora, represents the smaller end of Australian feedlot operators, basing his business around a long-term supermarket supply contract. The pair discuss current challenges including high feeder cattle and grain prices and how smaller-scale feedlots work, in an industry sector dominated by some giants.
Against a background of rising interest rates and international political uncertainty, agricultural financiers remain optimistic about lending in the Australian agriculture space, the Weekly Grill podcast host, Kerry Lonergan learned this week. In this episode, Kerry speaks with National Australia Bank's Khan Horne, who has monitored the industry's fortunes over 30 years.
The pair discuss the outlook for beef next year, the rise in interest in sustainability-driven lending practices, what affect the rise of interest rate will have, prices of rural properties, cyber crime, labour shortages, and what impact a 10pc drop in cattle prices might have on the market.
Global burger restaurant giant McDonald's has withstood the effects of the COVID pandemic better than many in the food service industry, with trade volumes well up this year in many countries. It has made the supply challenge ever greater for McDonald's global head of procurement, Andrew Brazier, even greater, he told the Weekly Grill's Kerry Lonergan in an interview yesterday at BeefEX 2022.
The pair discuss the outlook for beef supply next year, McDonald's changing approach to servicing customers through its 39,000 restaurants worldwide, and other challenges.
The looming impact of the US drought on global beef supply and demand over the next two years is a key focus in today's Weekly Grill podcast cattle and beef market update with Ep3's Matt Dalgleish and Stockco's Chris Howie.
The pair discuss the outlook for cattle prices and supply heading into what is shaping up as a wet, wet start to the summer grass growing season, live export prospects as boat cattle prices start to rise and other points.
Australian agriculture has always punched above its weight in terms of delivering world class inventions to improve farming and livestock efficiency – and therefore profits.
In today's episode of The Weekly Grill you’ll hear about two more all-Australian technologies which are fast proving themselves here and now their inventors have their sights set on overseas markets.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns the heat up on water and dam construction advocate and managing director of Bowen River Utilities, John Cotter.
His company is backing the huge Urannah Dam proposal near Bowen in North Queensland, pitching it as a combined agricultural irrigation and hydro electricity green energy project.
What will it take to get the project over the line?
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week points the microphone towards the president of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians Association, Dr Tracy Sullivan.
From her remote practise in Broome, WA, Tracy represents cattle vets across the country under the ACV banner.
In a wide ranging discussion, the pair explore the historic launch this week of the ambitious Immune Ready vaccination program (click here to view earlier article), the challenges in attracting young vets to work in the bush; the pros and cons of layman preg-testing and other topics.
Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week points the microphone towards independent meat and livestock industry analyst and consultant, Simon Quilty.
In a wide ranging discussion, the pair chat about prospects for improvement in China market access, the impact that the US drought will have on Australia's beef fortunes heading into 2023, cattle market direction, Foot & Mouth Disease and other topics.
Forget tradition and focus on profitability. That's one of the key messages from livestock and genetics industry innovator, Tom Bull, who sits down with The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week for a chat.
The high profile Holbrook, NSW lamb genetics provider is a regular speaker at beef industry gatherings across the country, providing an 'outsiders perspective' on approaches to genetic and business development.
In their discussion today, the pair touch on the progress in marbling in lamb and what high-end lamb consumers are looking for, progress in lamb lotfeeding, the potential for greater lamb exports into the US, and future opportunities in Europe for red meat, under new Free Trade Agreements.
This week the Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Mick Crowley, Meat & Livestock Australia's general manager for research, development and adoption.
In a wide ranging interview, the pair discuss the prioritisation and allocation of industry funds to R&D, and the industry service delivery company's focus on 'Fewer, bigger, bolder," R&D projects.
They also drill into some of the specific newer research targets, such as the examination of delivery systems for methane inhibiting compounds to cattle being run in extensive paddock applications.
This week the Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Andy Hearnden, executive chef with beef processor Kilcoy Global Foods in Queensland.
Operating from Kilcoy's sparkling new commercial test kitchen located near Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Andy (pictured) has become something of a social media sensation, produced a suite of inspiring and motivating video clips encouraging young chefs and keen home cooks to push the boundaries in how they select, prepare and cook red meat cuts.
He currently has 2.7 million followers on Instagram, 2.4 million followers on TikTok, and 1.22 million followers on Youtube.
Andy worked at a number of Melbourne restaurant institutions, including Entrecôte in Melbourne’s CBD and Gill’s Diner. Earlier, the New Zealand native also completed a six-year stint in England working across some of London’s trendiest restaurants in Notting Hill and Shoreditch.
While Kilcoy’s own high quality beef brands are clearly evident in some of the videos, the content is far from brand-specific, and is designed simply to celebrate quality meat in general. Some of his videos have had more than two million views. How has he done it?
This week the Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Jim Lindsay, one of the three co-founders of the Low Stress Stock Handling movement.
Over the past 30 years, Jim and his collaborators Graeme Rees and the late Rod Knight have delivered hundreds of LSS courses across Australia, imprinting thousands of beef producers with better understanding about work cattle. Some grazing families have now had three generations of members through an LSS course.
Few, if any programs have had as much direct impact on animal welfare, human welfare, productivity and stretching scarce labour resourcing than LSS.
While The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan was at the Brisbane Ekka he caught up with Greg Pankhurst.
In a wide ranging interview, Kerry spoke to the Qld Livestock Exporters Association president about the current markets, FMD, impacts on exports, plus what that means for Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Brazil... and more.
This week, The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan ventured out to the Brisbane Ekka to turn up the heat on NTCA President and Tipperary Group GM, David Connolly.
This week, The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on our regular cattle market commentators, Chris Howie from Stockco, and Matt Dalgleish from Thomas Elder Markets.
There have been some dramatic movements in the Australian store and slaughter cattle markets since the trio last came together in June.
How much of it is driven by producer anxiety over the potential risk of BSE incursion? How much is due to normal mid-winter turnoff after frost, or financial management of cattle turnoff due to big tax bills leading up to June 30? Is the competitive pressure in international beef markets from the US, which is currently experiencing serious drought, have anything to do with it?
Matt and Chris answer these, and other questions around the current slide in cattle prices, and what lies ahead.
This week, The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on industry identity David Larkin, head of the Kimberley Meat Co processing business near Broome.
How has this year's decline in live export activity out of northern Australia impacted Australia's most remote beef processing establishment? Is the labour access issue any different than it is for processors in more heavily populated areas? David answers these, and many other questions.
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on Beef Central's 'Man on the ground' in Indonesia, Dr Ross Ainsworth.
Dr Ross steps through the rapidly escalating crisis across the Indonesian archipelago, as it pushes closer to Australia in the tourism hot-spot of Bali.
What more can we do to mitigate risk to the Australian beef herd and sheep flock?
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on veteran Queensland red meat processor, Trevor Lee.
Trevor is the founder of Australian Country Choice, which operates a massive vertically-integrated beef supply chain stretching from breeding and backgrounding cattle to lotfeeding, processing and meat sales into a wide range of export and domestic markets.
Among other topics, the pair discuss the dramatic changes and challenges now facing the red meat processing industry, and how ACC has evolved over the years, including the development of a large Wagyu operation since 2020.
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on Central Queensland working dog legend, Frank Finger.
Fresh from his appearances on ABC TV's Working Dogs series Frank
Besides running his property – west of Clermont in central Queensland – Finger has decades of experience raising and training working dogs. He started a dog training school in 1995, which his sons and daughters now run. Unlike noisy quad bikes and deafening helicopters, dogs can also keep cows and sheep calm; as Finger says: “Dogs take the rattle out of the cattle.”
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on new Federal Agriculture Minister, Murray Watt.
In a wide-ranging discussion, the pair discuss jobs and the industry's underlying labour shortage, biosecurity challenges including FMD and Lumpy Skin Disease, energy prices, livestock export trade and carbon emissions.
Sen Watt was a solicitor before entering the Queensland public service where he worked as chief of staff to Premier Anna Bligh from 2002 to 2007.
He entered federal politics when he was elected to the Senate for Queensland in 2016, having previously served in the Queensland Parliament representing the seat of Everton.
Prior to last month’s Federal election, he served as shadow minister for Northern Australia, Disaster and Emergency Management and Queensland Resources in Opposition.
Senator Watt also participated in Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee inquiries in 2019 and 2020.
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on young NSW Wagyu beef producer, Charlie Perry.
Mr Perry, who lives and works on his family-owned and operated Trent Bridge Wagyu beef property near Guyra, returned to his passion for agriculture after a successful career in business consulting, and hasn’t looked back.
Since taking over management of his family enterprise in 2016, he’s overseen substantial growth in the family business, despite some of the worst years of drought on record, with a focus on productivity gains, genetic indicators and sustainability.
He also serves as the current president of the Australian Wagyu Association, representing Wagyu breeders, lotfeeders and other supply chain stakeholders across the nation.
Now in its eighth year, the Zanda McDonald Award supports talented and passionate young professionals in the ag sector from Australia and New Zealand.
Host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on StockCo's Chris Howie and Thomas Elder Markets' Matt Dalgleish, in our second markets wrap for the year.
The pair explore the current drivers for young cattle, breeding cattle and slaughter cattle prices and where the markets may head in coming months
The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan this week talks with northern Australian cattleman Peter Hughes, who has forged a vast grazing empire across Queensland and the Northern Territory over the past 40 years. Last month he was inducted into the Australian Wagyu Association's Hall of Fame
The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan this week talks with Barb Madden from Smithfield Cattle Co, president of the Australian Lot Feeders Association.
In a wide ranging discussion the pair explore current record high feedgrain prices, cost to operate for lotfeeders, challenges and opportunities for grainfed beef in the carbon space and more.
The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan this week talks with Sally Warriner, who recently published her memoirs, having spent nearly 25 years living in the outback on cattle stations with her former husband, Ken.
Sally left cattle station life when her children were in boarding school. Her sons are spread across the country and most are still involved in agribusiness.
She originally trained as a nurse - a useful skill in the isolated communities she lived in - and has lost track of the number of times she stitched up injuries over the years.
Books: Not Just the Wife of the General Manager: Life in the Outback and a Whole Lot More
A celebration of a woman's life on an outback station writ large.
In a wide ranging discussion, Ian and Kerry explore livestock's opportunities and challenges in an increasingly sustainability-conscious world.
The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan this week talks with Ian McConnell, the Australian-born president of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
From a well-known Queensland grazing family, Ian studied animal science at UQ Gatton and then meat science at Colorado State University. He worked as a DPI livestock extension officer for almost a decade, during which time he was named Australian Rural Youth Ambassador and Cattle Council of Australia’s Beef Industry Rising Champion.
In 2012 Ian joined the World Wildlife Fund For Nature Australia to lead the environmental organisation’s engagement with the Australian beef industry, before being promoted to WWF’s global beef industry lead in 2014. Last year Mr McConnell joined Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest protein companies, as the director of sustainability for Tyson's international business unit.
In a wide ranging discussion, Ian and Kerry explore livestock's opportunities and challenges in an increasingly sustainability-conscious world.
The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan this week talks with Australia's chief veterinary officer Dr Mark Schipp, discussing latest biosecurity issues of relevance to the beef industry - and in in particular, the looming threat of Lumpy Skin Disease.
Now appearing on Australia's doorstep in Indonesia, LSD presents an enormous biosecurity threat to Australian livestock - and not just the beef industry, but potentially sheep and goats as well.
Topics explored in today's podcast include the issue of vaccine development, and whether Australia should simply use currently existing live vaccines from overseas.
Rural property: what’s happening, and where are values headed? Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan this week talks with Herron Todd White’s Tim Lane, discussing some of the key messages from HTW’s recent annual rural property briefings held in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Will land prices and demand come under pressure from rising interest rates? Will the momentum in interest in land for carbon projects continue? Where are the likely hot-spots for rural property investment, heading deeper into 2022? Have we seen the end of the foreign and institutional investment cycle?
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on RCS's Terry McCosker, aiming to better understand the increasingly complex carbon sequestion and trading market.
In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair touch on a range of topics from carbon offsets, likely future price trends in the carbon market, tax implications for carbon projects and what a change of government might mean for the carbon market.
On the eve of the 150th Royal Easter Show in Sydney next week, the Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on two prominent people involved in cattle showing and competition in Royal shows in Sydney and Brisbane.
Sydney show chief beef cattle steward Al Rayner and Brisbane show's chief beef cattle steward Gary Noller have seen stud show rings and led steer judging evolve over the last 40 years.
Is there a future for showing stud cattle, in a world increasingly dominated by objective measurement? What does the future hold for led steer competitions? Is Australia likely to embrace the US trend, where led steer prize money is emerging as a form of tertiary education 'scholarship' for some lucky young handlers?
In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair touch on a range of topics to do with the hallowed tradition of showing stud and commercial cattle.
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on Wagyu industry pioneer, David Blackmore, who has been a key player in Wagyu's extraordinary trajectory in Australia since the mid-1990s.
In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair touch on topics including how Wagyu got a foothold in the Australian beef industry, the quest for quality over quantity, the extraordinary prices high-end restaurant customers around the world are prepared to pay for elite Wagyu, and the risk of over-producing Wagyu beef in Australia.
Sponsoring our Weekly Grill podcast series are Kelly's Finance Group and Elanco Animal Health.
The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on beef processing plant manager Wasa Mudannayake. Sri Lankan born Wasa has experienced an extraordinary career path, starting in the casual labour queue at Beenleigh, before rising through the ranks to become general manager at Teys Lakes Creek - one of the largest meat plants in Australia.
In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair touch on topics including the challenges surrounding attracting labour to the processing industry, and the crucial involvement the plant has with the Rockhampton community, as one of the region's biggest employers. And he is forever grateful to the Teys boys – and Australia – for all the opportunities that have come his way.
Sponsoring our Weekly Grill podcast series are Kelly's Finance Group and Elanco Animal Health.
Host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on grazing industry identity Jock Whittle, the head of asset performance for MIRA Agriculture for the Macquarie Group, who spent 12 years as chief executive officer of Paraway Pastoral Co. In a wide ranging interview, the pair touch on topics including the grazing industry (and Paraway's) approach to sustainability, carbon farming, and the critical need to focus on farm safety
Host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on veteran red meat industry leader David Crombie.
After forging his career as a director of Gunn Rural Management (GRM) and live exporter Austrex, Mr Crombie later became the chairman of the steering committee that moulded the formation of the Meat Standards Australia tenderness guarantee scheme, sat as chairman of Meat & Livestock Australia for six years, and served terms as president of the National Farmers Federation. In all capacities, he acted as a high profile industry leader, prepared to engage with grassroots producers across the length and breadth of the country.
Today he spends his time on his small cattle property near Warwick, and is a passionate participant in carcase competitions.
In today's episode, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Beef Central's regular live export market commentator and columnist, Dr Ross Ainsworth.
Ross has spent a lifetime working in the Australian live cattle export industry, including lengthy periods living and working in-market.
In this episode he explores prospects for live export cattle prices for 2022, how major markets like Indonesia and Vietnam are performing, and competition from other protein suppliers in South America and India.
Beef Central's ever popular podcast series, The Weekly Grill, has returned from its summer recess with today's second episode of a new series.
Host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on StockCo's Chris Howie and Thomas Elder Markets' Matt Dalgleish, in our first markets wrap for the year.
The pair explore the current drivers for young cattle, breeding cattle and slaughter cattle prices and where the markets may head in coming months.
Sponsoring our Weekly Grill podcast series again in 2022 is Elanco Animal Health
Beef Central's ever popular podcast series, The Weekly Grill, returns from summer recess this week with the first episode of a new series.
Kicking off this year's program, host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive, Patrick Hutchinson.
In a wide ranging interview, the pair explore the challenges ahead for red meat processors and retailers, including labour issues, livestock supply, consumer meat buying habits during COVID, and key export market access issues.
Sponsoring our Weekly Grill podcast series again in 2022 is Elanco Animal Health.
Marking National Agriculture Day today, this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series sees host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud.
In a wide ranging interview, the pair explore the road to zero net emissions for Australian farmers and graziers, description of plant based proteins purporting to be ‘meat’, and industry representation.
Today's episode brings to a close our 2021 Weekly Grill podcast series, brought to listeners with the support of Elanco Animal Health. Series Two will be launched in January.
In this week’s episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat again on StockCo’s Chris Howie and Thomas Elder Markets’ Matt Dalgleish, as the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator continues to surge to new record highs and torrential rain blankets large parts of eastern Australia.
Have we yet seen the peak in young cattle prices? Will the spring flush cattle turnoff in southern Australia pressure young cattle values? Both Matt and Chris are forecasting a softening trend, but market fundamentals among restockers, lotfeeders and processors jostling for scarce young cattle remain buoyant, to say the least.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Garry Edwards, founder and managing director of AAM Investment Group.
Garry has over 20 years’ experience in investments and management within the Australian agribusiness sector. As an equity investor, he has developed assets and opportunities in livestock production, livestock marketing, value added marketing and processing, and consistently delivered superior financial returns.
He studied a Bachelor of Applied Science, Systems Agriculture at the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury where he graduated as dux of his course and also received a scholarship to attend the University of Illinois in the United States.
In his early career, Garry created Livestock Exchange and developed the technology and systems that today underpin Australia’s multi-billion dollar livestock industry through NLIS. These days, Australia is the envy of all other livestock export markets due to the value attributed to commodities that fall under the NLIS program.
Garry has extensive experience in a diverse range of agricultural businesses from family operations through to large scale integrated corporate agricultural operations across a range of industry sectors. In 2007, AAMIG commenced the development, operation and management Operation and Management a portfolio of livestock selling facilities on behalf of Australian Superannuation funds which today trade over $1 billion of livestock annually.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Angus Australia’s chief executive officer Peter Parnell, who retires in February next year, having managed the nation's largest breed society for the past twelve and a half years.
Dr Parnell has presided over a period of dramatic growth for the Angus breed in Australia, driven in part by relentless breed improvement delivered through objective measurement and performance recording through Breedplan.
He foresees an exciting time ahead for the seedstock industry, driven in part by new genomic tools.
Dr Parnell took over from Grahame Truscott as Angus Australia CEO in 2009, having worked for NSW DPI for the previous seven years as a genetics research manager. Prior to that, he spent a lengthy term as Angus Australia’s breed development manager.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns the clock back to the 1970s, to take a look at the Great Aussie Cattle Slump.
The years 1974-78 were without question the toughest that the Australian beef cattle industry has ever seen.
In the lead-up to the slump, the national beef herd had built up to unprecedented levels above 31 million head. Meat market prices collapsed virtually overnight in 1974 as the two largest export customers, the US and Japan, withdrew their support for Australian beef. During the depths of the cycle, meatworks cattle were often worth less than the cost of freight to get them to market.
Domestic beef consumption soared to above 70kg/person, as meat was sold to the public at 'give-away' prices.
In addition to the financial impact, the beef slump took an enormous psychological toll on industry stakeholders.
What caused it? How bad did it get? Could it happen again? What did the industry learn?
Guests this week include veteran Northwest Queensland beef producer, Don McDonald, who was newly married when the cattle slump hit; former Australian Meat Industry Council processor group chief executive Steve Martyn; and veteran Victorian stock agent, Bruce Redpath, who was a fresh-faced new Elders recruit in 1974.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Meat & Livestock Australia chief executive, Jason Strong.
The head of the industry's service delivery company covers wide topics including the 2030 carbon neutral target, the industry's response to plant based proteins - especially those masquerading as 'meat', and the growing emphasis on extension and producer uptake of R&D outcomes.
See Beef Central separate report summarising Jason Strong’s comments.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on feedlot industry and grainfed branded beef pioneer Robin Hart, founder of Stockyard Beef.
From humble beginnings in 1965 feeding a few hundred cattle for local butchers at his Berwick property near Jondaryan on southern Queensland's Darling Downs, Robin's Stockyard Beef business rose in parallel with the fortunes of the feedlot sector.
Robin talks about the evolution of the Australian feedlot industry over the past half century, the emergence of the Japanese market as a major customer for Australian grainfed beef, the drive for quality through grain finishing, the arrival of beef brands and product description, and more recent trends including diversification into Wagyu programs.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Grace Brennan, founder of 'Buy from the Bush.'
In 2019, drought in New South Wales was devastating rural livelihoods and communities. In response, rural-dwelling, self-employed mum, Grace, started a social media campaign, #buyfromthebush, a campaign and online marketplace connecting talented makers, creators, artists and retailers from rural Australia with global consumers.
Showcasing beautiful wares available to buy from drought-affected bush businesses, the platform on Instagram, Facebook and website aims to strengthen connections between city consumers and creative, innovative and productive rural communities.
Buy from the Bush has become a social media and ecommerce phenomenon, now hosting goods from more than 250 sellers from across rural and remote Australia, creating stronger, more empathetic connections between rural and urban Australia. In the first four months of the campaign, an economic impact study found the platform generated $5 million in revenue for featured supplier businesses, with one in five hiring new workers. Ninety six percent of the businesses involved were run by women, and one in five started shipping products internationally.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat again on StockCo's Chris Howie and Thomas Elder Markets' Matt Dalgleish, as the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator continues to soar to new record highs, hitting 1031c/kg overnight.
Have we yet seen the peak in young cattle prices? Will the spring flush cattle turnoff in southern Australia pressure young cattle values? Both Matt and Chris are forecasting a softening trend, but market fundamentals among restockers, lotfeeders and processors jostling for scarce young cattle remain buoyant, to say the least.
On the Weekly Grill with Kerry Lonergan this week is Markus Rathsmann, President of Council of Australia.
A Northern Territory beef producer, Markus answers the burning questions on possible restructuring of CCA and MLA, he has opinions on the journey ahead for beef producers as they try to meet the goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 - and of course, there's the levy - to lift or to lower - it's On The Grill this week.
There's a world champion on the Weekly Grill this week - Patrick Warmoll, the boss of Jack's Creek Wagyu tells host Kerry Lonergan the story of winning the 'World's Best Steak' title - not once but twice. Now he's determined to get a third title later this year - and it all started because of an article in a magazine.
Third generation family owned Jack's Creek has evolved into an integrated Wagyu and Angus beef supply chain based out of Willow Tree, NSW.
In 1991, brothers David and Phillip Warmoll began crossing their Angus herd with the famous Tajima Wagyu sires from the Hyogo Prefecture in Japan.
With a secure farming platform and the Wagyu business born, the Warmoll brothers took the next natural step into beef processing and marketing, forming Australian Certified Wagyu Beef, which has traded as Jack’s Creek since 2000. They became one of the first Australian companies to breed, grow, feed, process, and market Wagyu beef.
Today, led by Phillip’s son Patrick, Jack’s Creek is a prominent premium beef producer, now processing and marketing grainfed Wagyu and Black Angus products into more than 20 destinations worldwide.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on veteran pastoral company executive Roger Halliwell.
Roger spent a quarter of a century with Stanbroke Pastoral Co, then the biggest beef producer in the world, before the company was sold by its owner, AMP, in 2006.
In this week's week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on veteran red meat industry identity Richard Rains.
Prior to his retirement Richard was the head of Sanger Australia, one of the nation's largest non-packer exporters.
He is widely credited for convincing global burger giant McDonald's US to shift its grinding beef policy from domestic only, to also including imported product from Australia. McDonald's global has since become Australia's single largest beef customer.
A passionate crusader for the red meat industry, Richard has strong views on wide ranging topics including fake meat, the greater need for branding to lift Australian beef out of the commodity space, and how the industry should respond to attacks from animal activists and environmentalists over its sustainability performance.
In this week's week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on carbon trading expert, Toby Grogan, from Impact Agriculture.
Carbon credits and carbon trading are arguably some of the most complicated and misunderstood topics in the beef industry today. What are they? How do they work? What's in it for producers?
Currently there are about 150 properties in Australia involved in regulated soil carbon projects, and perhaps a couple of hundred more involved in vegetation management carbon projects, Mr Grogan estimates.
The pair explore issues such as what the carbon trading rules say around a property selling credits, and then seeking to claim carbon abatement as part of beef brand claims.
In this week's week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Red Meat Advisory Council chair, John McKillop. The pair tackle sustainability, fake meat, red meat's carbon footprint, the red meat industry's ability to cut-through in Canberra, the evolving scope of RMAC, and other related issues.
How does the future look for stud cattle shows in Australia?
While the 2021 Royal Queensland Show has unfortunately been cancelled due to COVID, this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series sees host Kerry Lonergan turn up the heat on RNA councillor and Beef Cattle Committee chairman Gary Noller, and Northern NSW stud cattle breeder and exhibitor Rob Sinnamon.
Both have had a life-long connection with stud cattle exhibitions across Queensland and NSW, and suggest that the competitive showing of stud cattle remains as popular as ever, despite rising costs and other challenges. The pair also discuss the growing importance of the RNA's Paddock to Palate Performance Classes, which have risen in prominence over the past ten years - providing a great opportunity for cattlemen to benchmark their herd's performance against some of the best in the land.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat again on veteran Victorian meatworks cattle buyer, David Ronalds, who this year clocks up his fifth-eighth year buying cattle across eastern and central Australia. How has the industry changed? What was cattle buying like back in 1964, when he first started? Did he ever foresee slaughter cattle making the money they are today?
Tune-in to hear David's account of how cattle buyers used 'dead reckoning' on cattle weights, and other challenges facing buyers from days gone by.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat again on StockCo's Chris Howie and Thomas Elder Markets' Matt Dalgleish, as the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator this morning crashes through the magical 1000c/kg barrier for the first time in history.
Have we yet seen the peak in young cattle prices? Both Matt and Chris are forecasting a softening trend between now and mid-September, but market fundamentals among restockers, lotfeeders and processors jostling for scarce young cattle remain buoyant, to say the least.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Queensland beef processor and supply chain manager, Australian Country Choice's David Foote.
Mr Foote is currently in gradual transition out of his full-time role as ACC's group managing director, which he has filled for the past 22 years, handing over the reins recently to Anthony Lee.
Over the years Mr Foote has become well-known for expressing strong, well-argued opinions about red meat industry matters - ranging from labour reform to industry representation, the industry's response to recent challenges over its environmental footprint and animal welfare and a host of other topics - many of which are touched-on in this podcast.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on orthopaedic surgeon, Gary Fettke, who this year has emerged as a powerful advocate for a diet containing adequate amounts of red meat.
The sense that red meat industry is under attack from powerful and aligned forces, and urgently needs to better align its own resources and “get off the back foot”, has been a central and recurring theme across the meat industry this year.
An independent medical practitioner with no commercial ties to, or any financial interest in, the red meat industry, Dr Fettke explains that over the past 30 years he started seeing more and more complications arising from diabetes and lifestyle disease, that led to him having to perform amputations which he believed should have been avoidable.
The further he delved into the science, he said it became clear that diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates were the underlying cause - diets that effectively reflect the recommendations of Australia’s (and most other developed countries’) official dietary guidelines.
He spent several years exploring the evolution of plant-based vegetarian guidelines, and has uncovered the extent to which powerful processed food corporations and anti-meat religious groups have influenced global dietary guidelines and policies universally in place today, which effectively demonise red meat while promoting increasing consumption of grain, sugar and carbohydrates.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat again on low-and-slow BBQ competition king, Grant Coleman.
In his day-job, Grant is general manager at NH Foods' Oakey Beef Exports plant on the Darling Downs, but come the weekend, he is one of Australia's best known BBQ smoker competitors.
Three years ago he was runner-up in the World BBQ championships in the United States, and regularly travels for weekend competitions anywhere from from Townsville to Port Macquarie.
Is the low and slow BBQ movement just a fad, or is it here to stay? Hear what Grant has to say...
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat again on StockCo's Chris Howie and Thomas Elder Markets' Matt Dalgleish, on whether the industry has yet seen the peak in young cattle prices.
Both believe an Eastern Young Cattle Indicator above 900c/kg is going to be around for at least the next three months, and that market fundamentals among restockers, lotfeeders and processors jostling for scarce young cattle remain buoyant, to say the least.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Tracey Hayes, who led the live export industry's successful Class Action over the impact of the Federal Government's 2011 Indonesian live export market suspension.
Tracey explains the background the the action, and where the process of funds distribution goes from here. It has been suggested that up to $800 million will be distributed among the northern stakeholders who took part in the claim.
A former chief executive officer of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, Tracey is regarded as a senior business and industry leader, having also previously served as chair of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation and as a Member of the Order of Australia Honours Council. She is a director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Northern Australia, sits on the board of the Australia Indonesia Institute and is a member of the advisory board of the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Signature Beef founder and soon to be meat processor, Blair Angus.
Beef industry leaders and entrepreneurs Blair and his wife Josie are undertaking the biggest risk of their business lives in establishing their own meat processing business on their property near Clermont in Central Queensland.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Blair shares their vision for the project, some innovative new practises he hopes to embed in its operations including a novel form of tenderstretching carcases, and the new business's focus on "the customer, rather than throughput." "If we wanted to chase throughput, we would very quickly sink into the commodity beef game, and that's a dangerous place to play," he says.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Consolidated Pastoral Co chief and Livecorp chairman, Troy Setter, touching on wide range of topics including the tight trading environment for live exporters consigning cattle into Indonesia and Vietnam, the challenges facing the northern pastoral industry, and increasing regulatory burdens being borne by the live export industry.
Next week: The Weekly Grill gets an update on progress in Blair and Josie Angus's adventurous Signature Onfarm beef processing plant development near Clermont in Central Queensland.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on nutrition scientist and MLA special skills board member, Manny Noakes.
Prof Noakes has spent 25 years as a researcher and director in nutrition and health at CSIRO. She has extensive knowledge in many fields of nutrition and health including the food regulatory system and ‘functional foods’, and the role of red meat in human nutrition and the environment. Manny was instrumental in the development of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, which positions red meat as part of a healthy diet for weight control.
In addition, she’s also a member of the National Committee for Nutrition for the Australian Academy of Sciences as well as being on its Expert Working Group Special Project: ‘Nourishing Australia: A decadal plan for nutrition science’.
In this week's podcast, she touches on a range of topics including common misconceptions about red meat nutrition, how red meat is presented in the national dietary guidelines, and her opinions about the emergence of plant-based proteins, often marketed as 'meat'.
Next week: The Weekly Grill talks with Livecorp chair and Consolidated Pastoral Co chief, Troy Setter.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on the the challenges facing the Australian grassfed beef sector, in this wide-ranging and far-reaching discussion with Cattle Council of Australia independent northern and southern directors, Alice Greenup and Olivia Lawson.
Next week: The Weekly Grill talks with CSIRO nutrition scientist and MLA board member, Manny Noakes.
In this Beef 2021 special episode of The Weekly Grill podcasts, brought to you by Colliers Agribusiness, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Beef 2021 chairman Bryce Camm and commercial trade exhibitors about what was driving the boom in sales of products and services experienced across the grounds during the week-long event. Everything from stock handling equipment to animal ID, agtech, transport, fencing and water storage were in red-hot demand throughout the week.
Agtech in its various forms was a constant topic of discussion among the thousands of industry stakeholders attending Beef 2021 in Rockhampton last week. Virtually every seminar and trade commercial display was showcasing technology in one form or another.
In this Beef 2021 special episode of The Weekly Grill podcasts, brought to you by Colliers Agribusiness, host Kerry Lonergan looks at some interesting agtech items making their debut at the event, and talks with producers about how they are approaching technology in their own business, barriers to adoption and related topics.
Once-in-a-lifetime cattle prices, and where they may trend over the remainder of 2021, was a constant topic of discussion among the thousands of industry stakeholders attending Beef 2021 in Rockhampton last week.
In this Beef 2021 special episode of The Weekly Grill, brought to you by Colliers Agribusiness, host Kerry Lonergan talks to Thomas Elder Markets’ Matt Dalgleish and a bunch of everyday cattle producers attending the event, over where they see the slaughter and store cattle markets going in coming months. Many found it hard to envisage any storm clouds on the horizon, for the foreseeable future, with the possible exception of trade into China.
What's driving the property market amid an unprecendented period of super heated cattle prices, super low interest and largely improved seasonal conditions?
In this Beef 2021 special episode of The Weekly Grill from Rockhampton, brought to you by Colliers Agribusiness, host Kerry Lonergan talks to Herron Todd White's Tim Lane and Colliers International's Rawdon Briggs look at where the market is heading.
The prospects for methane reduction from seaweed additives in stockfeed surfaced at a number of seminars held during Beef 2021 this week. In this Beef 2021 special episode of The Weekly Grill from Rockhampton, host Kerry Lonergan talks with one of the presenters, Dr Rob Kinley from Futurefeed, the company charged with commercialising the aspargopisis red seaweed product for commercial use. Trials have shown the additive, used in very small doses, can reduce emissions in feedlot cattle by 90pc.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on the domestic retail beef market, in a probing discussion on consumer issues, beefr branding and the post-COVID retail environment with successful Sydney butcher Stephen Kelly, head of the Sutcliffe Meats chain of 10 retail outlets.
Stephen knows the red meat supply chain space well, having spent 30 years in senior executive positions with export processor, Nippon Meat Packers, now known as NH Foods. prior to venturing into the retail world.
In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat with his guest, Hugh Killen, managing director of the Australian Agricultural Co.
Mr Killen discusses AA Co's continued transition into a leaner, more agile luxury beef supply chain, the growing emphasis on Wagyu production, the implications in the company's launch last year of its annual sustainability report, and herd recovery after two years of drought.
He also touches on the impact of COVID on global beef supply and demand, and broader consumer trends towards 'quality over quantity.'
Next week: The Weekly Grill turns up the heat on the domestic retail beef market, in a probing discussion on consumer issues and the post-COVID retail environment with successful Sydney butcher Stephen Kelly, head of the Sutcliffe Meats chain of 11 retail outlets.
Australia is the world's largest producer of Certified Organic beef, but while supply is expanding, it goes nowhere near filling global demand, Alister Ferguson from Toowoomba's Arcadian Organic Meat Co tells host Kerry Lonergan in this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast series.
Alister discusses the dramatic changes he has witnessed in the Organic Beef industry over the past 16 years, Arcadian was launched in 2005. Today Arcadian employs more than 60 staff spread between its offices in Toowoomba and Sydney, and a packing plant in Gosford.
Next week: The Weekly Grill turns up the heat on the domestic retail beef market, in a probing discussion with successful Sydney butcher Stephen Kelly, head of the Sutcliffe Meats chain of 11 retail outlets.
This week on The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan chews the fat with livestock transport industry legend Ross Fraser, from Fraser's Transport.
Ross discusses the dramatic changes he has witnessed in the industry over the 75 years his company has been in operation, in areas like animal welfare, minimising bruising, transport efficiency and productivity.
Next week: The Weekly Grill focusses on the expansion being seen in Certified Organic beef production, with supply chain manager Alister Ferguson from Toowoomba's Arcadian Organic Meat Co.
On this week's Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Queensland lotfeeder Charlie Mort on the current red hot market for feeder cattle, the tough operating environment for grainfeeding supply chains, the expansion of the Mort & Co lotfeeding business, and future plans.
This week on The Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on cattle prices, the impact of recent rain on supply, and where the market is likely to head in coming months, with Thomas Elder Markets analyst, Matt Dalgleish and specialist livestock finance supplier StockCo's Chris Howie.
Our podcast with lotfeeder Charlie Mort has been held over until next week, due to the timeliness of today's topic on the cattle market.
Coming up on The Weekly Grill in April: Livestock transport legend Ross Fraser on 75 years operations in the cattle industry; and Organic Beef supply chain manager Alister Ferguson on the dramatic changes being seen on certified Organic beef production in Australia.
The Weekly Grill is supported by Elanco Animal Health.
This week, veteran agricultural broadcaster Kerry Lonergan joins Beef Central, hosting our brand new industry podcast series called The Weekly Grill. The new podcast series is brought to readers with the support of Elanco Animal Health.
Each week, Kerry will sit down with an industry identity to chew the fat on topical matters across the meat and livestock industry.
His first guest is Queensland red meat processor, lotfeeder and beef producer Terry Nolan, discussing the current challenging conditions faced by meat processors, Australian beef's global competitiveness, herd rebuilding, the future direction of MSA, the labour challenge, potential for automation in agriculture and other topics.