Spotlight on weaner market

Presented by Hoffman Beef Consulting with the support of Meat and Livestock Australia, the event will be hosted by respected weaner producers Ron and Colleen Dean at their Mallanganee property.

Upton Pastoral Company buys large numbers of calves from the Northern Rivers to grow and finish for the European Union (EU) market.

Co-principal Greg Upton, Walcha, will discuss prospects for the autumn weaner sales and the value of weaning calves prior to sale.

Northern Co-operative Meat Company chief executive officer Simon Stahl, Casino, will also speak, having just returned from China which is a rapidly growing market for Australian beef.

Mr Stahl will discuss an initiative launched by the co-operative to encourage producers to join the new Pasture-fed Cattle Assurance Scheme, which will enable the meat company to produce and sell in the domestic and export markets a pasture-fed branded veal product.

Producers accredited under the scheme will be offered a payment incentive.

Event organiser Bill Hoffman said improving financial returns in the veal market was important for the local beef industry as profitability had been reduced by the cost price squeeze, rising cost of production and lower prices.

Other key speakers include specialist weaner producers Ray Humphreys and Ron Dean, and Atron Enterprises livestock manager Heidi Hayes.

Atron aims to underpin a brand as pasture-fed.

The day will include an inspection of the Deans’ highly regarded Hereford Simmental cross weaner calves.

Register by February 25, a fee applies.

Contact Bill Hoffman