Past events

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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 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

Irrigated pasture updates (sponsored by DLF Seeds)

Dryland pasture updates (sponsored by Barenbrug)

Sheep Updates (sponsored by Zoetis)

Beef Updates (sponsored by Landfall Angus)

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 program

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 efficiencyGeorge Nichols, Nutrien Ag Solutions, TAS

Carcass monitoring in processing plants & what this means for lamb suppliersDr 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 makingDavid McLean, Resource Consulting Services, QLD

Irrigated Pasture Updates – sponsored by PGG Wrightson Seeds

The costs associated with compromising perennial pasturesBasil 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

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.

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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.

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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:

Photos from Red Meat Updates 2016

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Red Meat Updates 2013, 2014 & 2015

For information about the program and speakers at previous Red Meat Updates events, click on the proceedings below.

Photos from previous events

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Media coverage

Tas Country 22 July 2016

Red Meat Updates Working Group member, George Shea, featured in the Tasmanian Country on 22 July 2016.  Access the full article online.

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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

Tasmanian Country newspaper article 16 May 2014

2013 ABC Rural coverage