Red Meat Updates was first held in 2013 and has continued to grow ever since. The event consistently attracts 300 people, with over 350 people attending in 2018 and tickets selling out in advance. Approximately 70% of conference attendees are sheep and cattle producers.
Red Meat Updates – Friday, 29 July 2022
The 9th annual Red Meat Updates was held on Friday, 29 July 2022 at the Tramsheds Function Centre, Launceston.
The theme for Red Meat Updates in 2022 was ‘future-proofing your farm business for long-term sustainability’ and presentations on the day covered topics in the areas of sheep, beef, irrigated and dryland pastures.
Red Meat Updates would not be possible without our event sponsors and the working group greatly appreciate their continued support.
In 2022 we were excited to present our online industry catalogue – here you can find valuable resources from each of our 2022 sponsors.
2022 Red Meat Updates full program
Download the 2022 RMU proceedings
Red Meat Updates Virtual Farm Tour (sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions)
The 2022 Red Meat Updates Virtual Farm Tour was sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions and features the O’Connor family from Connorville Station, Cressy Tasmania. Connorville Station, located in Cressy, northern Tasmania is one of the oldest farming operations in the state. Continuously farmed by the O’Connor family since it’s establishment in 1824. Seventh generation producer, Roderic O’Connor and his wife, Kate take a pragmatic approach to farm management decisions, looking long-term to ensure the business’ resilience and sustainability.
Thank you to the O’Connor family for being our hosts for the 2022 VFT and to Nutrien Ag Solutions for their ongoing support of Red Meat Updates.
2022 Red Meat Updates Virtual Farm Tour – Connorville Station, Cressy TAS
Presentations from Red Meat Updates 2022
Welcome address
Red Meat Champions
- Private Forests Tasmania Industry Innovator: The cost of financial freedom shouldn’t be your time – Ram Savana, Enable Ag
- Coles Gate to Plate: Diversification of the family farm – Sophie Nichols-Johnston, Littlewood Farm
- Angus Australia Emerging Leader: Making the most of opportunities that come your way – Rozzie O’Reilly, LAMBPRO
Irrigated pasture updates (sponsored by DLF Seeds)
- Lessons learnt from across the ditch – Sarah Adams, Gallagher New Zealand
- Setting up paddocks for irrigation success – Graham Mulligan, Gallagher Animal Management
Dryland pasture updates (sponsored by Barenbrug)
Sheep Updates (sponsored by Zoetis)
- Fit to join – Dr Mary McQuillan, Charles Sturt University
- Efficiency gains to be made through genetic selection – Rozzie O’Reilly, LAMBPRO
- The keys to unlocking ewe survival – Dr Mary McQuillan, Charles Sturt University
Beef Updates (sponsored by Landfall Angus)
- Traceability in the beef industry – George Basha, Integrity Systems Company
- The potential of dairy beef for the Tasmanian beef and dairy industries – Stephen Creese and Mark Miers, Clovelly Tasmania
- Heifer development and management to increase productivity – Jena Alexopoulos, University of Adelaide
2021 Red Meat Updates
The 8th annual Red Meat Updates was held on Friday, 23 July 2021 at the Tramsheds Function Centre, Launceston. The theme for Red Meat Updates in 2021 was ‘profit-driven decisions for the future’ and presentations on the day covered topics in the areas of sheep, beef, business, and irrigated and dryland pastures.
Red Meat Updates 2021 conference proceedings
Presentations from Red Meat Updates 2021
Red Meat Champions
Rabobank Industry Innovator:
Future proofing our workforce, it’s everyone’s role – Clare Peltzer, Logan, TAS
Newton & Henry Gate to Plate:
Avoiding the sale yards: lessons learnt from direct marketing – Guy Robertson, Mount Gnomon Farm, TAS
Sheep Updates – sponsored by Zoetis
Using individual animal management to maximise profit and efficiency – George Nichols, Nutrien Ag Solutions, TAS
Carcass monitoring in processing plants & what this means for lamb suppliers – Dr Bruce Jackson, veterinary consultant, TAS
Beef Updates – sponsored by Landfall Angus
Where do trace elements fit in beef production systems? – John Webb-Ware, Mackinnon Project, VIC
Prioritising investment in beef businesses – Hilary Bunny, Aggregate Consulting, NSW
Getting down to business
Business analysis for better decision making – David McLean, Resource Consulting Services, QLD
Irrigated Pasture Updates – sponsored by PGG Wrightson Seeds
The costs associated with compromising perennial pastures – Basil Doonan, Pinion Advisory, TAS
Worm management for sheep and cattle under irrigation – John Webb-Ware, Mackinnon Project VIC
Dryland Pasture Updates – sponsored by Barenbrug
Getting your grasses rooted for the long run– David McLean, Resource Consulting Services, QLD
Pasture utilisation: Breaking the per 100mm rainfall barrier – Steve Crawford, Lackrana Grazing, TAS
Virtual Farm Tour – sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions
This year we visited the picaresque Flinders Island to catch up with Chris Macqueen from ‘Skyhaven’ and Tom Youl from ‘The Quoin’. This year’s Virtual Farm Tour was sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions and we greatly appreciate their continued support.
Watch the 2021 Virtual Farm Tour
2019 Red Meat Updates
Red Meat Updates 2019 was held on Friday, 26 July 2019 in Launceston. The theme for the event was ‘Getting down to business’ and the day showcased presentations focussing on business and people management. The day sold out weeks in advance and attracted over 350 people from the Tasmanian red meat industry.
Presentations from Red Meat Updates 2019
Red Meat Champions
Irrigated Pasture Updates
Dryland Pasture Updates
Sheep Updates
Beef Updates
Industry Update
2019 Virtual Farm Tour
This year for our 2019 Virtual Farm Tour we visited Steve Sattler from picturesque ‘Barnbougle’ at Bridport on the north-east coast of Tasmania. The 2019 VFT was sponsored by TP Jones & Co and we greatly appreciate their continued support.
Watch the 2019 Virtual Farm Tour
2018 Red Meat Updates
Red Meat Updates 2018 was held on Friday, 27 July in Launceston. The day attracted over 350 people from Tasmania’s red meat industry, with the event selling out two weeks in advance. Feedback from attendees and sponsors was very positive.
Presentations from Red Meat Updates 2018
Welcome
Red Meat Champions
- Derek Daniell – Rabobank Industry Innovator
- Julian Waghorn – KPMG Gate to Plate
- Aiden Coombe – Angus Australia Emerging Leader
SAMRC Update
Sheep Updates
Beef Updates
People in the business
Irrigated Pasture Updates
Dryland Pasture Updates
Virtual Farm Tour 2018
This year in our virtual farm tour we visited Scott Colvin at ‘Nosswick’, at Blackwood Creek in the Northern Midlands. We heard from Scott about his business enterprises and practices as well as the succession process for the Colvin family.
The 2018 Red Meat Updates Virtual Farm Tour can be viewed here.
Photos
2017 Red Meat Updates
The focus of our 2017 event was building business resilience. In recent years, Tasmanian graziers have experienced floods, fires, droughts and price shocks, among other challenges. This year we examined what makes some businesses more resilient to challenges and change.
Click here to view the Red Meat Updates 2017 Conference Proceedings.
Photos
Presentations
Welcome
Red meat champions
MLA update
Irrigated pasture updates
Dryland pasture updates
Sheep updates
Beef updates
Virtual Farm Tour 2017
This year we visited William and Melissa Fergusson’s Grindstone Bay Pastoral property at Triabunna, on Tasmania’s east coast. We heard about their business, the challenges they face and strategies they have implemented to make their business resilient.
Click here to view the Virtual Farm Tour online.
2016 Red Meat Updates
The 2016 event attracted 333 red meat industry stakeholders. The theme of the conference was preparing for, managing through and recovering from adverse conditions. If you missed out on attending the event or want to follow up on a topic, the event proceedings and most of the presentations from the day are available below.
Presentations:
- Alison Napier
- Shane Thomson
- George Shea
- Richard Apps
- Dale Grey
- Jock Hughes
- Richard Culvenor
- Rob Winter
- Julian von Bibra
- Tom Graesser
- Leon Quilliam
- Richard Sutton
Photos from Red Meat Updates 2016
Red Meat Updates 2013, 2014 & 2015
For information about the program and speakers at previous Red Meat Updates events, click on the proceedings below.
- 2015 Red Meat Updates Proceedings
- 2014 Red Meat Updates Proceedings
- 2013 Red Meat Updates Proceedings
- 2015 Virtual Farm Tour on YouTube
Photos from previous events
Media coverage
Red Meat Updates Working Group member, George Shea, featured in the Tasmanian Country on 22 July 2016. Access the full article online.
Red Meat Updates Working Group chair, Georgie Burbury, featured in the Tasmanian Country on 15 July 2016. Access the full article online.
Tasmania’s weather-worn meat producers buoyed by strong demand for beef and lamb – ABC news, 22 July 2016
Meat and Livestock Australia reveals digital strategy for big data – ABC Rural, 22 July 2016
King Island farmer Richard Sutton guest speaker at Red Meat Updates conference – The Advocate, 22 July 2016
Breeding and identification of stock paramount for beef producers: Winnaleah farmer – The Examiner, 22 July 2016
Vision needed to tap digital potential, red meat industry told – The Land, 22 July 2016
MLA value chain digital strategy to drive red meat industry future – Sheep Central, 22 July 2016
MLA to accelerate red meat industry’s digital future – Farming ahead, 25 July 2016
Record numbers expected for Tassie red meat day – Beef Central, 18 July 2016
2015 ABC Rural interview with Richard Norton, Managing Director of MLA
Tasmanian Country newspaper article 20 June 2014