Learnings from BeefEx 2024 From Chloe & Zoe
Chloe Plowman and Zoe Puls were able to attend the 2024 ALFA BeefEx Conference in Brisbane thanks to the support of the Angus Foundation.
Each of the scholarship recipients have provided a report of their time at Beef Australia.
CHLOE PLOWMAN
As a proud recipient of the Angus Foundation BeefEx Scholarship, I had the opportunity to attend the 2024 BeefEx Conference held from October 15 to 17 at the Brisbane Showgrounds. This conference brought together leading experts, industry professionals, suppliers, researchers, university students, and other scholarship recipients from various companies across the globe to discuss the latest innovations, sustainability practices, market trends, and to recognise successful feedlots and the efforts many businesses put in every day. My participation not only expanded my knowledge but also allowed me to network with individuals who share my passion for feed lotting and the red meat industry.
Throughout the conference, I engaged in various sessions that deepened my understanding of trends, innovations, and research in the feed lotting industry. Some of the significant speakers who stood out to me were Ralph Schoellhammer, a European political scientist, and US consultant Joe Kerns, both of whom provided insights into the Euro and US markets, discussing how these markets might evolve and affect us in Australia, especially as we export 60% of the beef we raise. Additionally, Charlie Arnot explained the importance of increasing our market access in light of social expectations regarding animal welfare in the US, EU, and other global markets.
Two speakers who do not have everyday involvement in the feed lotting industry shared their stories of resilience and experience within their own professions. The first was Qantas Captain Richard de Crespigny, who shared how he utilised leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving under immense pressure. The second was Ben Ikin, CEO of QLD Rugby League, who recently worked with a feedlot to improve their people management and recruitment practices.
The conference also featured many Research & Development findings. Dr. Melissa George presented her research on partial feedlot coverings for Angus steers, comparing their performance when fed under cover on woodchip, under cover on normal ground, outside on woodchip, and outside on normal ground. She highlighted how these conditions affected daily performance, water intake, feed intake, movement, and ultimately, kill data.
Another technological innovation that was impressive to see was the Te Pari automated crush, which allows inductions to become more automated, positively impacting labour needs and animal welfare.
Overall, the 2024 BeefEx Conference provided a fantastic opportunity for me to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the feedlot industry, covering trends, innovations, requirements, and sustainability. I would strongly recommend that all young people with an interest in the red meat or feedlot industry participate in future BeefEx conferences, as there are so many key takeaways that you will find useful.
ZOE PULS
BeefEx 2024 did not disappoint! I was lucky enough to receive one of the scholarships offered by Angus Australia that gave me the opportunity to attend BeefEx 2024 in Brisbane. It is a key event on the calendar for the Beef Industry, particularly those in feedlots and is organised by Australian Lot Feeders Association (ALFA), who did an incredible job! While there was the main conference with many guest speakers travelling nationally and internationally to come to the event, there were also 80 booths of companies showcasing their developing technology to assist in feedlot and beef productions.
There were several speakers during the conference that bought insights from their own industries that can be used throughout the feedlot and entire beef industry. One of these speakers were Dr Ralph Schoellhammer, an Austrian political Scientist who questioned why is Australia not taking advantage of the resources currently available to us, instead of importing the materials? An example he used was the solar panels that have been installed in Australia, majority have been made in China and we are not being efficient with our resources. Dr Schoellhammer said that the ‘world would envy’ Australia with how efficiently and cheaply we can generate energy and electricity if our own resources are utilised, however it is a ‘political decision’ which prevents this from being actioned upon.
Nick Abrahams was another great speaker that gave his insight of Artificial Intelligence and how all industries should not be scared of it but use it to their advantage. While at the moment, there is no clear use for AI in the beef industry, Mr Abrahams illustrated its uses in administration roles and data analysis.
We heard from Dr Fran Crowley and Dr Sarah Meale that spoke about their current research into methane emissions and how Bovaer has shown results to reduce emissions when implemented into cattle’s diet.
To close BeefEx, we were extremely fortunate to hear from Mr John Schumann AO who spoke about the backstory to the creation of the song ‘I was only 19’. Mr Schumann illustrated his background research and history with the Vietnam conflict and how Australians are able to support each other through difficult times since the creation of the song. The singer-songwriter was taken aback when he completed entertainment tours for troops in Afghanistan and had troops come up to him saying ‘Thank you for coming! You are going to sing our song!” which Mr Schumann remarked, ‘How could this be your song? It was made before you were born!’. Mr Schumann then spoke of his realisation of the impact his song had made, not only to the Vietnam Troops, but also for the next generations of Australian Troops.
I am very grateful for Angus Australia choosing to send me up to BeefEx to learn about the feedlot and beef industry. It was an incredible experience and will be an event I will never forget.
