The 10th annual Red Meat Updates will be held in Launceston at the Tramsheds on Friday the 28 July 2023.
The RMU producer working group are pulling together an exciting program for Tasmanian producers, with this year’s theme centred around managing risks and exploring opportunities in the red meat industry – stay tuned for more details soon.
Registrations will open on the 15 May 2023.
To keep up to date with the latest RMU news, make sure to follow us or visit https://redmeatupdates.com/
The Red Meat Updates Working Group are excited to announce that registrations for the 2022 event are now open.
To register to attend this year’s event please visit
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/red-meat-updates-2022-tickets-368751013207
The program for the 2022 event is packed full of exciting presentations from industry representatives and producers.
We hope to see you there for a day of learning and networking!
The September and October Livestock Health Monitoring Reports are now available!
This report outlines various health issues seen in flocks and herds across Tasmania in September/October 2021.
Good surveillance and early action on suspicion of a disease outbreak can limit the damage.
“One of the most important lessons from Covid-19 has been “Go hard, go early”. If an outbreak is detected while only a few individuals are infected, lockdowns (we use the term “stock standstill” in the animal world) can be very effective. It is just so important that anyone who sees some suggestive clinical signs in animals (e.g., salivation, lameness, blisters in the case of Foot and Mouth Disease reports this immediately to their vet or the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline 1800 675 888. If it is a false alarm, no harm done.
The importance of ‘contact tracing’ has been emphasised during the Covid-19 outbreak, and most of us are used to scanning in as we enter buildings and venues. Our National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), Property Identification Codes (PICs) and National Vendor Declaration (NVD) system and transferring animal IDs on databases are all part of an equivalent animal tracing system that has to be operating constantly in case there is an outbreak of an EAD. The better we all comply with this system, the faster we can get on top of any outbreak.” – Dr Bruce Jackson, Veterinary Consultant
You can find previous reports and subscribe to receive the monthly report here https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/tas-health/
For more information on this project, contact Bruce Jackson on 0407 872 520 or rja69392@bigpond.net.au
The January Livestock Health Monitoring Report is now available!
This report outlines various health issues seen in flocks and herds across Tasmania in January 2021.
Good surveillance and early action on suspicion of a disease outbreak can limit the damage. There has been presence of virulent foot rot observed this month in a sheep breeding operation, the most likely source being being a ram from a clean stud on the mainland transported to Tasmania via commercial livestock transport. With quick, decisive action and effective treatment administered, this outbreak should have limited impact on the operation. More details are outlined in the report under ‘biosecurity story of the month’.
If you would like more information on this project, please contact coordinator, Dr Bruce Jackson on 0407 872 520 or rja69392@bigpond.net.au
Further reading
For farm biosecurity plans, animal health declarations and information on biosecurity practices see: http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/
Remember
• Report any suspicion of an Emergency Animal Disease to the Hotline on 1800 675 888
• Never feed animal protein such as meat meal to any ruminant including sheep.
• Use NVDs and NLIS tags properly so that animals can be ‘contact traced’ quickly if there is an outbreak of an Emergency Animal Disease.
Article author: Dr Bruce Jackson, independent veterinary consultant
“Vibriosis has been diagnosed in a number of beef and dairy herds in Tasmania recently and the impact of this disease can be severe. In one case, about a quarter of pregnancy tested in-calf cows in a large herd did not calve and three other herds that received cattle from that herd also experienced pregnancy loss. There is also a very serious financial impact associated with this disease.”
If you would like further information on vibriosis infection in cattle please refer to the Tasmanian Livestock Health Monitoring Reports or consult your veterinarian.
After a successful pilot project the Livestock Health Monitoring program will continue to produce a monthly report on livestock diseases and conditions that have been observed by rural service providers across Tasmania. This program is designed to keep livestock producers and rural service providers up to date on what livestock diseases and conditions are currently occurring in Tasmania. This should mean earlier diagnosis, more effective treatment and better prevention of future outbreaks.
The Livestock Health Monitoring program is funded by Animal Health Australia (with support from Sheep Producers Australia and Wool Producers Australia) and by DPIPWE. Private veterinarians coordinate the project. If you would like more information on this project please contact Dr Bruce Jackson on 0407 872 520 or rja69392@bigpond.net.au
Due to the current circumstances around COVID-19, and uncertainty about gatherings for the foreseeable future, Red Meat Updates scheduled for 24 July 2020 has been postponed to Friday, 23 July 2021.
Although disappointing, the working group are viewing this as an opportunity to build on our current plans for the event and ensure that RMU returns in 2021 with a stand out program and lots of opportunity for networking.
Since its establishment in 2013, Red Meat Updates has grown to be the premier red meat industry event in Tasmania and a highlight in the industry calendar. We would like to thank all attendees and sponsors for their continued support of Red Meat Updates, and look forward to seeing you at a stand out event in 2021.
The RMU working group encourage you to save the date now for Red Meat Updates 2021 as it will be a day not to be missed.
Meanwhile, you can keep up to date with event planning and current industry news by following us on social media.
Facebook – Red Meat Updates – Tasmania
Twitter – @redmeatupdates
The 2020 RMU working group are working hard to put together another great program for red meat producers across Tasmania under the theme of ‘profit-driven decisions for the future’. Stay up to date with planning of the 2020 event by following us on Facebook and Twitter @RedMeatUpdates
Sponsorship packages are flying out the door but there’s still time to make sure your business is represented at the eighth annual Red Meat Updates!
This event consistently attracts over 350 Tasmanian red meat industry members and gives you and your business the opportunity to network directly with Tasmanian sheep and cattle producers.
We have 4 sponsorship packages still available:
A full overview of what’s included in each package can be viewed in our 2020 sponsorship prospectus here.
Download the sponsorship registration form here
If you would like more information regarding sponsorship opportunities or have any questions, please contact Sarah on 0408 340 074 or at redmeatupdates@macfrank.com.au
Murdoch University PhD candidate Elise Bowen is conducting a survey to better understand current sheep reproductive rates across Australia. This study forms part of a larger project, funded by Meat & Livestock Australia that is looking at improving the reproductive performance of ewes joined as lambs and hoggets.
The key benefit from this study to farm businesses will be a set of benchmarks to compare the reproductive performance of your sheep against regional and national targets.
Survey respondents will be asked to provide some information about the characteristics of their sheep flocks and scanning rates as well as some data on the number of lambs present at lambing.
Please read the instructions carefully, no questions are compulsory to answer. Please email the completed survey to elisejbowen@gmail.com.
The final report and publications from this project will not identify any individuals or businesses participating in the study. Any records that identify you or your business will be stored securely and not shared without your consent.
Download an electronic copy of the survey here.
For further information on this project, call Caroline Jacobson (0418 953 173) or Serina Hancock (0403 570 823).
Thank you for your support and contribution.
Photo: Georgia McCarthy
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