Forum spotlights beef opportunities

Pastoralists, consultants, veterinarians and exporters learned more about export growth opportunities in the Kimberley as part of a Northern Beef Futures industry forum held in Broome.

The four-year $15 million NBF project funded by Royalties for Regions aims to transform the WA northern beef industry through improving markets, businesses and productivity.

One key objective is to capture new market opportunities, particularly in Asia, and secure sustainable growth.

The Department of Agriculture and Food and the Kimberley Cattleman's Association last week presented findings from a recent delegation visit to Indonesia and Vietnam to more than 50 forum attendees.

Department beef market and supply chain development manager Manus Stockdale said importers in both countries were keen to build commercial relationships with WA suppliers.

"Importers wish to provide feedback on animal performance to suppliers and gain a better understanding of Australian production systems," he said.

Beef producer and delegation participant David Stoate, of Anna Plains Station, about 250km south of Broome, said a common theme was a desire from importers in both Indonesia and Vietnam to expand capacity.

"In terms of the future, there remains a strong desire to continue to develop the trade in both countries due to the complementary nature of the production systems," he said.

"Most people we came across were keen to further develop relationships across the supply chain as a way of developing the trade with a view to securing supply."

Question and answer sessions enabled forum attendees to glean new information discovered by the delegation on the different market segments and importers' preferences.

NBF leader Brad McCormick said to build on the visit, Indonesian and Vietnam importers would be invited to WA to further their knowledge of production systems and cattle.

The project will also investigate how feedback systems, including customer preferences, could be improved so that more value is captured by the supply chain.

At the forum, producers were also introduced to the on-station practice change and capability program, a key activity of the Northern Beef Futures project.

This includes a framework developed as a result of a workshop in December last year involving industry specialists, which provides a basis for developing tailored plans for participating enterprises in the Kimberley and Pilbara.

The plans will involve the application of beneficial interventions designed to increase on-station productivity and using a market-driven approach.

"Northern Beef Futures will make possible the opportunity for beef enterprise managers and owners to receive full property production and financial health checks to develop an individual plan to suit their business," Mr McCormick said.

"Producers will be able to work closely with a range of experts to identify and implement improvements to increase their station productivity.

"We are very pleased with the level of interest so far and have received a number of expressions from producers at the forum keen to participate."