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Monday, 7 December 2020
Welcome to our last Beef Brief for 2020. Our next edition will be on January 18. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone:
In this edition:
- Cattle Council elects new President - Meet Markus Rathsmann
- Stories from the Station - Photo and Video Winners Announced
- Cattle Council backs in improved traceability systems
- Cattle Council November Board Meeting - Communique out now
'Sir Lickalot' by Sandie Read came in second in our Stories from the Station comp - see all the winners here
Meet your new President
Markus Rathsmann was elected President after Cattle Council’s Annual General Meeting in November.
Markus has a lifetime of experience in the Northern cattle industry and owns and operates Mount Ringwood Station in the Northern Territory’s top end.
Running 6,000 tropical composite Brahman cattle on Mt Ringwood and other Top End properties the businesses focus on fertility, polled genes, cattle trading and a fodder operation to prepare cattle for the live export market.
Markus also has experience in the buffalo industry and was a long-time manager of Gulin Gulin Buffalo Co in Arnhem Land supplying free-range buffalo and cattle to the live export trade.
Priorities as President
Finance: Like some other Peak Industry Councils we should consider a Capital fund for resilience to enable CCA to achieve its goals.
We must leave CCA in a better financial position than when we came.
Communications: A focus on explaining to our members the work that we do and why we take certain policy positions on key issues.
No one in our industry should be left wondering or guessing on the position we have taken.
Restructure: In 2021 we need to take positive steps in our restructure process. This means leading the process and setting the agenda. The first step in this is the Pilot Policy Council.
We need greater transparency and democracy in electing our Board and Policy Council members.
Preserving the unity and representation of our State Farming Organisations is also essential. It has been and remains our key strength.
Advocacy: With COVID restrictions easing it is appropriate we reset our board strategy and engagement with politicians, MLA, and other institutions.
See your elected council
members here
Read our statement about the AGM and changes to the council here
Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) is calling for expressions of interest to join the CCA Pilot Policy Council and working groups in 2021.
The new structure will replace the five existing consultative committees to encourage more effective policy development and advocacy by increasing the opportunity for people across the industry to be involved.
Cattle Council CEO Travis Tobin said positions on the new Policy Council and working groups would be open to anyone in the industry.
By Travis Tobin, CEO
One of the challenges representing the largest and most geographically diverse single agricultural industry in Australia is getting unanimous agreement on positions and ensuring all 46,000 beef cattle producers understand the reasoning behind decisions they do not agree with.
When it comes to our traceability system, producers sometimes ask what benefits and cost savings do new technologies deliver to me?
The bottom line is that the beef industry's traceability system underpins so many critical elements across the industry, including providing assurances to customers and consumers about what they are purchasing and why they should be paying a premium for it.
Cattle Council is pleased to host Dr Frank Mitloehner from UC Davis and Diana Rogers, the Director, Producer and Co-Author of the 'Sacred Cow' documentary in a virtual forum where they will share their views on beef sustainability and hold a Q&A session.
For more information and to register for this event click here
Notices
Cattle Council held board meetings in November and December and approved significant structural changes for the organisation and the way policies are developed. You can read about it in the CCA communique by clicking here
Greatest Beef on Earth Summer Beef campaign has been launched, including a new three-part video series featuring ‘The Beef BBQ Squad’ of Brian-the-Butcher; Pip Pratt, Chefs Mitch Davis and Randi Thraves. The videos – which will run across Australian Beef’s social channels – will provide useful tips, tricks and recipe inspiration to help Australians take their BBQ pride to the next level this summer. The first social media video with Pip Pratt is available now. For more information, click here
Northern Wet Season Hub Northern
producers can now access regionally-relevant resources to support seasonal on-farm decision making this summer with the launch of a Northern Wet Season Hub on MLA’s website. This is an addition to the Summer Hub for southern producers launched last week.
Meat Standards Australia has released it's Annual Outcomes Report for 2019-20. You can read it here
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has compiled the latest resources for producers sending their beef to the EU including EU Vendor Declarations. You can access these resources by clicking here
Information on how to manage your property during the coronavirus response can be found at our portal www.cattlecouncil.com.au/coronavirus
Cattle Council's Canberra office will be closed from for the Christmas and New Years period from Thursday 24 December 2020 to Monday 4 January 2021.
Media Monitor
Grassfed producer claims Woolies’ Supplier of the Year award Beef Central - Dec 3
China still talk of the town in beef export circles The Land - Dec 2
Record prices, but it could impact international competition ABC Rural - Nov 30
Beef 2021 gets green light - Beef Central - Nov 26
Traceability grants available for ag supply chain Beef Central - Nov 25
Wagyu beef diverted from China, Aussie markets to meet US demand: The Land - Nov 23
Unity the key to tapping red meat's enormous potential The Land - Nov 19
Hopes trade pact may soothe China tensions The Land - Nov 16
Dry-aging adds value during tough COVID era Beef Central - Nov 13
