NORTHERN BEEF PRODUCERS’ EXPO
TOP RAIL FORUMS
Charters Towers, 3-4 June
NQ Dry Tropics is proudly hosting the second Top Rail Forums at this year’s Northern Beef Producers Expo. A range of speakers including leading Australian producers, scientists and advisors will share their experiences managing beef enterprises for profitability, productivity and ecological sustainability. NQ Dry Tropics will host three sessions featuring nine speakers.
SESSION ONE: FRIDAY 3 JUNE — 1pm-3pm
Regenerate your thinking on regenerative grazing: Take a moment to look at regenerativevagriculture and the importance of valuing your natural resources.
ALASTAIR RAYNER
Principal of RaynerAg and National Extension Coordinator for National Feedbase Project.
Click for details
Introducing the National Feedbase Monitoring project to northern graziers. This is a new initiative between Cibo Labs and MLA, to be launched in July. It provides property level satellite based pasture growth for 30 days, updated every five days (with the ability to look back over five years of data). The scope of the project is to provide graziers with additional tools for developing grazing management plans, value adding to forage budgeting programs and have confidence in making future decisions with an early response to seasonal conditions.
JANE and JORDAN MOORE
Amelia Downs graziers, with an innovative — and very successful — approach to pasture management.
Click for details
Jane and Jordan are north Queensland graziers, with extensive knowledge and data to support the improvements that can be achieved to landscape health and function with the implementation of dedicated and measurable grazing systems.
Of primary importance for Jane and Jordan, and their key message for graziers in the north, is that you must make your grass a bankable income by putting a dollar value on grazing it, or saving it.
FRANK FINGER
Grazier who featured in the recent popular ABC documentary series Muster Dogs.
Click for details
Clermont grazier Frank Finger recently found accidental fame when he featured on the popular ABC documentary series Muster Dogs, alongside his four-l4 legged fellow cast member, Annie.
Interested in learning more about using dogs to help muster cattle in rough country on his property, Frank invited renowned trainers Neil and Helen McDonald to conduct a short course at his property Hillview in 1996. That encounter sparked his passion for working dogs and he hasn’t looked back.
SESSION TWO: SATURDAY 4 JUNE — 9am-11am
Silent threats and new opportunities: Consider how you can contribute to overcoming the silent threats and emerging opportunities of the rural industry.
SHANNA WHAN
Australian of the year Local Hero recipient, founder of Sober in the Country (SITC).
Runs grassroots rural charity focused on peer support and creating social impact in the bush – primarily teaching mates to be fully respectful and supportive, no matter what they’re drinking…
Far from being anti-alcohol, SITC leads an entire bush culture the life-saving message that when somebody chooses to say ‘no thanks’ or ‘not today’, our support can be a gamechanger.
TIM PRYOR
Chief Operating Officer, StockCo.
Click for details
The opportunities in the current climate are presenting graziers with many avenues for securing family succession plans and developing greater drought resilience within their business.
Tim will highlight the current finance options to help graziers put a plan in place and secure their future in the rural industry – from those looking to get into owning their own farm to those looking at passing the business to the next generation, and all in between.
EIREN SMITH
Dreghorn Station grazier and chair of the NQ Beef Research Committee.
Click for details
Eiren will provide an update on the grassroots priorities of North Queensland graziers that are being put forward for consideration by MLA as research, development, education, extension or training priorities for the region.
SESSION THREE: SATURDAY 4 JUNE — 1pm to 3pm
Keeping rural families on farms: Discover how to keep your family working safely in rural industries now and in the future.
SHANE WEBCKE
Queensland Safety Ambassador and runs the family farm in regional Queensland.
Click for details
Since retiring from a career in rugby league, he spends time as a farmer, family man, businessman, author, news presenter, safety ambassador, guest speaker and host.
During his football career, represented Queensland 24 times and represented Australia in 26 tests.
Our contract with Shane prevented us from recording his presentation for those who did not see it live.
JEAN ROBBINS
Founder, Key Industry Solutions and grazier.
Click for details
She draws on her experience and expertise in business, finance, training and safety skills to help business owners and managers simplify, streamline and organise their operations.
Charters Towers born and bred, Jean grew up on a cattle station and has been involved in agriculture in some capacity all her life.
ROB MITCHELL
Agribusiness Manager at National Australia Bank.
Click for details
In the current perfect climate where graziers are experiencing record high cattle prices with some of the lowest interest rates in years and increasingly high valued land valuations, Rob will discuss what options graziers can look at to build the value of their business from the ground up.