NORTHERN Co-operative Meat Company at Casino has been hosting a run of introductory seminars this week aimed at helping graziers identify practices hat can enhance their profitability and sustainability.
The Grazing Best Management Practice program, or Grazing BMP, is a voluntary grazing management system already used throughout Queensland.
It provides an online self-assessment tool for beef producers so they can benchmark their practices against an industry-developed set of standards.
Program consultant Fiona Borello said anonymous feedback gleaned from the program – funded jointly by the NCMC, MLA and AMPC – is aimed at helping direct future producer funding or training through agencies like Local Land Services or even private providers, highlighting producers’ needs on a valley by valley basis.
“Results from the Northern Rivers program will be able to identify information gaps, training needs and enhanced production opportunities specific to location,” she said.
Given the diversity within the region, it might be about weaning cattle correctly in one district and soil health in another.”
Grazing consultant Steve Banney said he will be presenting one of five modules of Grazing BMP – the business of running a profitable and sustainable beef enterprise.
“Good record keeping and maintaining a good chart of accounts to see where the expenses are going and income is coming from are the basics of the business side of beef production” he said.
“It’s important that producers work more effectively with their accountants and bankers to know what direction their business is going.
“Beef producers are generally good with cattle and pastures, however many producers are seeking improved financial skills.
“A good beef business should not only provide a lifestyle but it should be able to create wealth and be sustainable under adverse seasonal and market conditions.”
Of course big wins could be expected when environmental ideology united with farm profitability and that was where the grazing program was hoping to go.
As noted by Ms Borello the temporary suspension of live cattle exports in 2011 and the proposed ban to greyhound racing in NSW points to consumers and the wider community demanding ethical and environmentally sound practices across all industries.
“The Grazing BMP program is a great way that producers can substantiate these good practices, promote the industry and protect our farmers’ right to farm,” she said.
The program will be continuing throughout the Northern Rivers for the next few months via a mixture of one-on-one on farm assessments and additional workshops. For further details or to register contact Lucy Amey, NCMC member services, on 02 6660 0772.
