The Weekly Grill

IN today's episode podcast, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with up with US animal genetics expert and award winning ag communicator Professor Alison Van Eenaammen. Prof Van Eenennaam is a distinguished Professor of Cooperative Extension in the field of Animal Genomics and Biotechnology in the Department of Animal Science at  the University of California, Davis where she has been on faculty for over 20 years. She spoke at the recent World Angus Congress in Brisbane on the opportunities and challenges for DNA and biotechnology in the beef industry.         The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.    

IN today's episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Dr Frank Mitloehner, in a deep-dive into the beef industry's climate impact, the importance of accurate accounting methodologies and why the livestock “If we continue to reduce methane emissions in livestock sectors, whether through better grazing and forage, genetics, or tools coming online such as feed additives, livestock can be part of a climate solution. There aren't many sectors that can say that,” he told the recent World Angus Forum. Rather than being wrongly cast as a climate villain, Prof Mitloehner presented an opportunity for the livestock industry to be part of the climate solution. “Farmers and graziers are stewards of the land and have been for generations. Stewardship is sometimes called sustainability, but regardless of the term, it's part of the make-up of agriculture to manage the environment responsibly,” he said. “If we can reduce methane emissions from livestock, which we have, we can reduce warming by absorbing some of the excess greenhouse gases being emitted by industry.”         The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.  

IN today's episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with John Stika, president and CEO of Certified Angus Beef, the world's largest branded beef program. Over the last 47 years CAB has grown into a red meat marketing colossus, grading around six million cattle each year producing beef sold into dozens of countries worldwide. But it hasn't always been easy, going within a single vote of being cancelled in its formative years before the program turned a profit.

IN today's episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Angus cattle producers attending the World Angus Congress in Brisbane. Genetic selection of cattle for lower methane, sustainability and consumer attitudes to climate issues were common themes throughout the two-day event. In this podcast, Angus cattlemen and women from across Australia and overseas give their views on how genetic selection for low methane might unfold in coming years. Will it be driven by pull-through from beef brand programs wishing to make carbon/methane claims? Will price signals be necessary for bull breeders to add methane to the already long list of traits they select for?  Next week: Global livestock emissions crusader Frank Mitloener, who spoke this week at the World Angus Forum.   The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.      

In today's episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Dairy Australia's Sustainable Animal Care Manager Dr Andy Hancock, on progress in beef production from dairy calves.   Dairy Australia, the industry equivalent of MLA, is seeking beef industry input into the project called Calfways – a contraction of Calf Pathways. Developed over the past 18 months, the project originates from a dairy industry policy to ensure all dairy calves enter a valued market chain by 2035, with no on-farm euthanasia of viable calves. To achieve the industry objectives, the project is aiming to input 300,000 to 400,000 extra animals per year into the beef supply chain.   The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.  

In today's episode Kerry Lonergan catches up with prominent nutritionist and food scientist Dr Anneline Padayachee. Anneline is a strong advocate for the role of red meat in a balanced diet, and the broader role of food production and nutrition science in improving public health. She is one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming World Angus Forum being staged in Brisbane on 7-8 May. Beyond weight loss and disease treatment, Anneline views nutrition as fundamental to cellular health, growth, aging, disease prevention, and overall functioning. With a PhD in nutritional food science and extensive experience in industry, research, and academia, Anneline provides independent scientific advice to a range of different clients and industry bodies. She is recognised nationally for her expertise and contributions to the field, holds positions in various professional organisations and has received awards for her work including being named Australia's number one science communicator and one of the nations' Top-50 cutting edge female scientists for her ability to translate science for industry and community.   The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.  

With sweeping tariff changes in the US, dramatic currency movements, floods and widespread late summer rain in pastoral areas of QLD and NSW, there was a lot to talk about in the latest Weekly Grill markets update podcast with regular commentators Chris Howie and Matt Dalgleish. In today's episode Kerry Lonergan catches up with the pair on US President Trump's evolving tariff negotiations and the implications for China, the knock-on affects for Australia and other international markets, and how this affects the local cattle and sheep markets.   In other news the trio discuss: Media mis-reporting of beef prices The current market and the impact of the droughts in the south and floods in the north Livestock figures Record prices for mutton Predictions for the next quarter And more   The Weekly Grill is brought to you by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.  

As part of Beef Central's Top 25 Livestock Transporters feature running this month (click here to access) Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week chats to Gerard Johnson, president of the Australian Livestock & Rural Transporters Association. The pair discuss some of the big issues being faced by the livestock transport industry, including regulatory matters, driver access, cost-to-operate, and road condition and access. The Top 25 Transporters feature coincides with today's ALRTA annual conference being staged in Canberra, being attended by Beef Central's James Nason, along with about 200 delegates from across the nation.             The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.  

Five gun Australian retail butchers are competing in the World Butchers' Challenge taking place in Paris France this weekend. Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan talks with team captain, South Australian butcher, Luke Leyson about this unique competition, and Australia's chances among the 24 nations competing.  Kerry and Luke discuss the Australian team's chances at the prestigious international event. The podcast covers: • Australia's previous performances at the event • How the team prepares • Our greatest rivals • The competitions' format  • What the judges are looking for and how the winner is adjudicated They also talk about the shape of Australia's retail butchering business, value-adding, the rise of pre-prepared meals, staffing issues... and more.     The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.  

In this week's episode, Kerry Lonergan discusses possible US Tariff scenarios with global meat trader and analyst, Simon Quilty from market intelligence firm, Global AgriTrends. Then attention turns to MLA's three year projections as Kerry chats with MLA's Market Information Manager, Stephen Bignell.    Simon Quilty, Global Agribusiness • Possible US Tariff implications • The economic factors the US should be taking into account • Best case scenario for Australia's beef industry • Should there be a different tariff for grinding meat Vs quality beef cuts? • America lamb markets • Alternative export markets for grinding meat • The US traceability system • Biosecurity issues     Stephen Bignell, MLA Manager - Market Information   • MLA Market Projections for the next 3 years • Boxed beef markets: Indonesia and Vietnam  • China - what are they buying? • The Middle Eastern high-end market • Carcase weights - producing more with less • The Live trade outlook • Local cold storage limitations  

This week's Weekly Grill podcast features Beef Central's regular US-based columnist Steve Kay, publisher of US Cattle Buyers Weekly, on recent tariff developments between the US and major trading partners.     While the fast-moving nature of the topic means there's been developments on a couple of points since this item was recorded, much of the general sentiment remains.   Topics discussed include: • President Trump's delayed announcement of Tariffs •  What the tariffs could mean for Mexico and Canada… and repercussions for Australia • How are US meat packers dealing with reduced supply? • The prospect of Aussie feeder cattle going to the US? • Any sign of the herd rebuilding? • Carcase weights. Are they too big? • More dry conditions forecast. • Have US export numbers dropped? • Predictions for 2025

Teys Australia feedlot general manager Grant Garey assumed the reins as president of the grainfed sector's peak body, ALFA, in November. He arrives in the role at an important inflection point for the grainfed industry. During this podcast conversation with Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan, the pair discuss recent industry growth, appetite for further expansion, how water access is challenging some projects and the rising costs of feedlot development. Other topics on the block include: The issue of accessing grain/protecting against drought Labour challenges, and ALFA's Feedlot X initiative Ongoing work with using methane-inhibiting feed additives in the intensive feeding industry Emerging technologies of use to lotfeeders The impact of providing shade in feedlots, and where the industry is up to in achieving its shade objective How lotfeeding is influencing average carcase weights across the industry.

It's been 28 years since Australia last hosted a World Angus Congress, and interest across the Angus world is already reaching fever pitch ahead of the 2025 event being held in Brisbane and Tamworth in May.   In today's episode, podcast host Kerry Lonergan chats with Angus Australia's Scott Wright about preparations for the once-in-a-generation event. Up to 1000 Angus stakeholders from across Australia, New Zealand, North and South America and Europe are expected to gather for the Congress, Forum, and support events. Already some red-hot tropics are emerging, including: Where to from here for Angus genetic progress? Can current rates of gain on eating quality, fertility and carcase traits be maintained? With US fed cattle carcase weights now pushing 900 pounds, is carcase size a concern in the Angus industry? The concepts and challenges of the Australian Beef Industry's quest for Carbon Neutral 2030 Scott provides a valuable run-down on what  stakeholders attending the event can expect.

In today's episode, Kerry chats with veteran strategic researcher, Howard Parry-Husbands.    • Working with MLA  • Looking at the data to understand red meat eaters • Red meat consumption in Australia • Guilt fatigue (consumers now questioning the facts) • What the numbers and research data tells us about the negativity towards eating red meat / animal welfare and ethics in red meat production • Do plant-based foods pose a threat to the red meat industry? Do they have a future in our supermarkets? • Productivity and sustainability • Will artificial intelligence transform the way we farm?

In today's episode of The Weekly Grill, Kerry Lonergan chats with the Red Meat Advisory Council Independent Chair, John McKillop.  

Welcome back to Beef Central popular Weekly Grill podcast series for 2025. Today's first episode for the year sees the return of regular market watchers, RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish. Weather conditions over the next couple of months will have a strong bearing on slaughter and store cattle prices heading deeper into 2025, the pair suggest in today's discussion with host. Other topics range from the impact of Trump's tariff actions, prospects for beef sales into the US, where cattle and beef prices are at record highs after the drought driven herd collapse, currency movements and other factors.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.  

As the festive season draws closer, pressure on the nation's critically important charity groups like Foodbank reaches its height. Foodbank is the largest hunger relief charity in Australia, providing the ‘food pantry' to the charity sector across the country.  This year alone, Foodbank sourced enough food for more than 92 million meals, and the number grows as cost of living pressures continue to mount. In this final Weekly Grill podcast episode for the year, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Foodbank Australia chief executive Brianna Casey, and chief transformation officer Michael Davidson about the massive task at hand, and how people can help. Michael shares progress on the beef sector's engagement with Foodbank, and the associated BeefBank concept. The Weekly Grill will return with a new series in 2025.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

FOOD securuty has been in the news this week, and in today's episode of the Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Andrew Henderson from AgSecure Andrew is the principal of Agsecure, the independent chair of the Safemeat Advisory Group and a former adviser to the federal government on biosecurity and the red meat and livestock sector.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

A glimpse into the future of artificial breeding in the cattle industry is provided in this week's podcast, where Nbryo's Nick Cameron and Gerard Davis talk through the company's ambitious plans to ‘condense seven years into seven days' using a suite of novel technologies that promise to re-imagine livestock systems for future food resilience. By any reasonable measure, the broader scope of the Nbryo project is visionary, and potentially far reaching. The technology is designed to have equal application for a progressive beef producer in Australia looking to produce more efficient and environmentally friendly beef, as it is for a smallholder farmer in Bangladesh with two head of cattle, who could improve his or her productivity by as much as 50pc in a single generation. For this reason the project has attracted some serious early financial backers, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Today's Weekly Grill podcast continues our occasional markets series, with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish. Weather conditions over the next couple of months will have a strong bearing on slaughter and store cattle prices heading into 2025, regular markets contributors Chris Howie and Matt Dalgleish suggest in today's episode of the Weekly Grill podcast. The pair also discuss the impact of the Trump victory in Wednesday's US elections on Australia trade, the prospects for more Australian beef into the US next years as US herd recovery kicks in, and where the bargains are likely to be found over the next six months in the store market. This will be the last markets update in Beef Central's Weekly Grill podcast series for 2024.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

In this week's episode of the Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with respected leader for change and 2024 Nuffield Scholar, Catherine Marriott who was invited to present at the BeefEx feedlot convention in Brisbane recently. Over the last 20 years, Catherine has worked as an executive, a non-executive director and consulting roles in the agricultural, reseach and regional development sectors in Australia and internationally. During this time, she has become a proven business leader, communicator and organisational renovator, focussed mostly on leadership development, advocacy and delivering innovative solutions for the industries in which she works. In this episode the pair discuss Catherine's journey through the Nuffield program, ESG (Environmental Social Governance) and where it started, its impact across Europe, Asia and the United States, and how if impacts Australian agriculture. The Weekly Grill podcast is brought to listeners by Rhinogard from Zoetis.

In this episode of the Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Centre for Food Integrity, who spoke at the grainfed beef industry's BeefEx conference in Brisbane last week. He spoke about how global expectations around animal welfare are shaping beef production practices in Australia, and how the industry can help protect its freedom to operate.  

This week Kerry Lonergan sat down with international economist and political theorist, Ralph Schoellhammer following his presentation at Beef Ex 2024. Professor Schoellhammer specialises in the intersection of political philosophy and energy policies. His work explores how cultural convictions influence policy outcomes, particularly regarding energy, industry, and agriculture, addressing what he sees as a cultural self hate in the West. As reported earlier this week, Professor Schoellhammer advocates 'The world needs more Australian agriculture and mining". However, as Kerry and the professor discuss, the challenge lies in changing deep-rooted idealologies.   [  

Momentum continues to grow in the sustainable and renewable energy field, with plenty of applications emerging in the beef industry's processing and lotfeeding sectors, especially.   In this week's Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Carl Duncan, former sustainability officer with Teys Australia who now heads sustainable energy solutions provider NRG-One. The company helps agribusinesses reduce their carbon footprint for a variety of reasons, from reducing operating costs to making brand claims around carbon reduction. How far can solar, methane capture and wind projects go in the bush?

The head of the vertically-integrated Stockyard grainfed beef business, Lachie Hart, sat down last week for an extended chat with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan. Among a host of topics touched on by the pair was Stockyard's experiences as one of Australia's trail blazers in the field of sustainability performance-linked finance; the rapidly growing cost to operate in the commercial lotfeeding industry; Stockyard as a multi-generational family business; trials and adoption of new technologies like live animal scanning for marbling performance; and how the Stockyard business has evolved from its earlier heavy focus on Japan to other high-value export markets like the Middle East.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

  There's a lot happening in the international and domestic environment that's shaping the Australian rural property market heading towards 2025, leading property marketing identity Danny Thomas tells Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan in this week's episode. The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.  

Young Scotswoman Claire Taylor has risen in prominence as an ag communicator since tackling a Nuffield Scholarship last year, helping turn the tide on the global anti-farming agenda. Farming is coming under increasing fire on multiple fronts, and the industry has a job to do, to rise above the noise and present a stronger, more united voice against many of the criticisms thrown at its door, she tells Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan in this week's episode. Throughout her Nuffield scholarship, Claire uncovered brilliant examples where farming has a voice at the decision-making table and strong relations with policymakers, the media, and members of the public. Her objective is to share these stories and encourage farmers to step outside the agricultural echo chamber and better communicate with members of the public, media and politicians, to ensure their voices are not only heard, but valued. Claire grew up on a small beef farm on the west coast of Scotland, later studying Politics and International Relations at Edinburgh University. She spent ten years working with the BBC and the Scottish Farmer – first as a reporter and later as political editor - covering the ag sector she cares so passionately about. The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Recent episodes of animal activists using drones to intrude on feedlot sites has reignited interest in laws and rights over intrusion on private property.   In this week's Weekly Grill podcast with host Kerry Lonergan, Brisbane-based agribusiness lawyer Trent Thorne from Hamilton Locke steps through the laws, regulations and rights surrounding drone use, and how they apply to commercial businesses like feedlots and cattle properties. Among other topics, the pair also discuss developments in the long-standing live export class action following the suspension of live export cattle trade into Indonesia in 2011, and what it takes to climb Mt Everest.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Meat & Livestock Australia's new managing director Michael Crowley has well and truly got his feet under the desk since kicking off in his new job in late May.     Many in the industry got their first insight on Mr Crowley's take on the industry service delivery company's future direction in an address to the Queensland Rural Pres Club last month. One of his key visions is to see Value-Based Marketing embedded within the Australian beef industry, delivering performance-based payments to producers that factor in meat yield, as well as meat quality and carcase traits.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

University of Queensland genetics researcher Prof Ben Hayes   AI has exploded in importance over the past year or two across all areas of business, research and society in general, and the agriculture field is no exception. What lies ahead for the use of AI in the beef industry? Is it a tool than can further increase the industry's rate of genetic gain, particularly on hard-to-measure traits? Where else can AI fit into the beef production system?

Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto was elected President with a landslide victory in February. Ahead of his inauguration on 20 October, what the the implications for Australian agricultural trade - and live cattle exports in particular - with our nearest neighbour?   Veteran live exporter Greg Pankhurst, who spent more than 20 years living and working in Indonesia, provides his view in this week's Weekly Grill podcast episode with host, Kerry Lonergan. In March this year, Prabowo said he believed that within five years Indonesia would be able to become a net food exporter and gain food independence. How realistic is this target?  

Today's Weekly Grill podcast continues our occasional markets series, with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish. The looming impact of the US drought on global beef demand over the next two years out of the US and other countries is one of the key focuses in today's update. Slaughter and store cattle supply and demand heading into spring could produce some  surprises, the pair suggest   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Competitive Texas BBQ smoker cooking is a huge activity in the United States, and one of the best in the business - Phil Breeden - is in Australia at present, competing in a local competition, delivering master-classes and checking out the Australian Texas BBQ scene.     Phil has been involved in competitive BBQ events in the US and Canada since 2015, and is now full-time professional competitor, having competed in 167 sanctioned US competitions, earning 16 grand championships and 19 reserves to date. Along with fellow Texan BBQ competitor Bill Purvis, Phil is visiting Australia as a guest of the Australian BBQ Alliance. He caught up with Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan during his visit.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

This week's Weekly Grill podcast is a conversation with livestock scientist Fran Cowley from the University of New England, whose current work focusses on managing and mitigating livestock methane emissions.         Associate Professor in livestock production at UNE, her current work includes looking for better ways to predict emissions from feedlot cattle. A lot of this was a future-proofing exercise – providing support to grain feeding being a method of reducing the carbon footprint of beef. “The feedlot industry is an important way that we can work towards a carbon-neutral food production system,” she said. “In the future, it's highly likely that we will see an environment where there will be a price on market access on carbon. Being able to have a more accurate and lower estimate of the emissions and carbon footprint of feedlots is going to ease potential issues accessing markets that require no or low emission product,” she said. Prof Cowley reinforced the importance of producers continuing to adopt best practices, with research reinforcing the importance of feeding more efficiently and making sure that every mouthful of feed that cattle are consuming is being turned into more beef.     The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Rhinogard by Zoetis.

In this week's Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Queensland lotfeeder Charlie Mort, principal of Mort & Co.   The pair discuss the changing Australian feedlot environment, plans for the construction of Mort & Co's new Central Queensland feedlot near Gogango, market demand for grainfed beef and other topics.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by  Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Jack Owen is a Victorian sheep-meat producer who used to spend hours thinking about what his neighbours were doing and how successful they were – until he decided to stop thinking and do something about it – so he interviewed over 200 successful farmers and graziers and made notes on how they operated and why they there successful. The result is his personal improvement book, 'You Are Not Your Farm - What the top 5pc of farmers are doing that the average farmer is not.' His work takes a broad sweep of common farming practices – and personal likes and dislikes among the primary producers he spoke to, which contribute to ongoing success. Much of this is self-evident, but there's also thought-provoking assessments which will challenge our everyday habits, he tells Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan. His book is available from the Amazon books website.

In this week's Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on Wagyu boss Matt McDonagh, discussing the opportunities and challenges facing the Wagyu industry in Australia, where breeders are placing their genetic selection emphasis, and the impact as greater numbers of Wagyu feeders occupy valuable pen space for long periods in Australian feedlots.  

Victorian veterinarian Dr Craig Wood is the new president of the Australian Cattle Vets, a special interst group of the Australian Veterinarians Association. A cattle specialist at Mortlake Vet Clinic, Dr Wood succeeds Broome WA vet, Dr Tracy Sullivan as ACV president. In a wide ranging discussion, Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan chats with Dr Wood about the role vets would play in any exotic disease incursion in Australia, the current level of risk from LSD and FMD from nearby Indonesia, and the challenges in attracting young veterinarians to work in the bush.   The Australian Cattle Vets members provide crucial services to agricultural producers who feed the country, playing key roles in disease surveillance, securing the nation's quarantine status and protecting ongoing productivity. Members also have a significant responsibility in managing and maintaining animal welfare. The ACV is one of the AVA's largest special interest groups, with 1100 members across Australia. Members come from private practice, government departments including agriculture and quarantine services, research, and animal health companies. The ACV has representation on Cattle Australia, with which it has associate membership, and works closely with other cattle industry bodies.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Fifth generation retail butcher Michael James operates a successful retail site at the inner southeastern Brisbane suburb of Carina. He also represents independent retailers on the board of the Australian Meat Industry Council. In this Weekly Grill episode, Michael speaks with host Kerry Lonergan about the current domestic retail beef trading environment, where consumers face considerable cost of living presses and time constraints. Are customers shifting out of steak into mince, or out of beef into cheaper chicken and pork? How are modern independent butchers countering the challenge of the dominant national supermarket meat retailers?   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Today's Weekly Grill podcast continues our occasional markets series, with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish. The looming impact of the US drought on global beef demand over the next two years out of the US and other countries is one of the key focuses in today's update. Slaughter and store cattle supply and demand heading into winter could produce some  surprises, the pair suggest   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Carbon, industry advocacy and greater need for education in agriculture came into focus during Weekly Grill podcast host, Kerry's Lonergan's lengthy chat this week with large scale Queensland beef producer MDH's Julie McDonald.   Julie wears many hats within the family-owned MDH cattle business. In addition to providing an update on MDH's cattle operations spread across 14 properties in North, Central and southern Queensland totalling some 3.4 million hectares, she shares her thoughts on carbon – saying while its represents an opportunity for the industry, there is still a lot of work to be done. Julie said it was important for the industry to have government understanding of the difference between carbon and methane. Carbon and the associated impositions on the beef industry needed to be carefully thought out, and agriculture needs to be weary that it is not simply burdened by additional costs. MDH is using AgForce's carbon assessment tool AgCare, and is very happy with it, she says in this week's Weekly Grill.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.

ONE in six people in Australia experience food insecurity and hunger on a weekly basis. Now a unique outback initiative has been launched enabling members of the Australian cattle industry to help their city counterparts and raise much needed funds to support those in need. The inaugural 2025 Great Australian Charity Cattle Drive was officially unveiled by Beef Bank director Bim Struss during the sold-out Rural Press Club of Queensland breakfast during Beef Week in Rockhampton. The drive will see 2000 head of cattle walked by professional drovers and paying supporters on horseback along designated stock routes from Longreach to Roma in May next year. In this week's Weekly Grill, Bim chats with host Kerry Lonergan about the exciting project, designed to bring city and country together.

The long, hot, wet 2023-24 summer saw a marked rise in Three Day Sickness across Australia, including outbreaks in areas as far south as Victoria where it has never before been seen. In those regions, naive herds never previously exposed to BEF were hard-hit, with stock losses reported. Is climate change and warner temperatures behind it, or is it simply natural variation from season to season?   Zoetis's senior veterinary technical manager Dr Lee Taylor provides some answers, and suggestions for preventative management in different parts of Australia.     The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.

AS part of Beef Central's coverage of this week's Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton, the industry's national exhibition held every three years, we present our special daily podcast series, Trendsetters. Today's fifth episode features former Australian Agricultural Co boardmember, and former MLA chairman David Crombie, reflecting on 200 years of continuous operations for AA Co. The company celebrated its bicentenary with a lively long lunch on Tuesday during Beef 2024, attended by 450 stakeholders, past and present.   This week's Trendsetters special podcast series is brought to readers and listeners by Colliers Agribusiness.  

AS part of Beef Central's coverage of this week's Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton, the industry's national exhibition held every three years, we present our special daily podcast series, Trendsetters. Today's third episode features Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture CRC chief executive, Richard Heath. The ZNE-Ag CRC was brokered by The University of Queensland and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, with a consortium of 73 partners across industry, government and education. The Australian Government's CRC contribution of $87 million is the largest in the program's history. Mr Heath says ZNE-Ag will support the industry to achieve emissions targets in Australian agriculture by 2030 and 2050. Coming up in this series: US National Cattlemens Beef Association president Mark Eisele and former MLA chair, NFF president and AACo director David Crombie reflecting on 200 years of AAco. This week's Trendsetters special podcast series is brought to readers and listeners by Colliers Agribusiness.  

AS part of Beef Central's coverage of this week's Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton, the industry's national exhibition held every three years, we present our special daily podcast series, Trendsetters. Today's second episode features dynamic young New Zealand livestock producer Nancy Crawshaw, who recently received the 2024 Zanda MacDonald award. As part of her employment with Angus Australia, Nancy crossed the ditch to experience her first Rockhampton Beef Expo. She previously worked with Teys Australia in a supplier relationship role, working her way through the ranks. Coming up in this series: US National Cattlemens Beef Association president Mark Eisele; Zero Net Emissions from Agriculture CRC chief executive, Richard Heath.  

As part of Beef Central's coverage of this week's Beef 2024 event in Rockhampton, the industry's national exhibition held every three years, we present our special daily podcast series, Trendsetters. Setting the scene in today's first episode is Cattle Australia chairman, Garry Edwards. Speaking as the three-yearly industry event opened this morning, Mr Edwards said Cattle Australia had been working hard to ensure the interests of grassfed cattle producers were not just represented, but were being advanced. He also appealed to producers to cast off their humble nature and speak proudly on behalf of the largest levy-paying sector in the Australian economy. “My words are simple - get comfortable being uncomfortable and having conversations with people you don't know,” he said. “Embrace the challenge and get out there and talk to people who don't look like you, who don't understand what you do, because they are the consumers of your product and ultimately deliver our social licence. That is critical to the profitability and sustainability of our future." Garry Edwards will be on the speaking panel during Beef 2024's Queensland Rural Press Club breakfast on Thursday.   This week's Trendsetters special podcast series is brought to readers and listeners by Colliers Agribusiness.

Today's Weekly Grill podcast turns to the important topic of mental health in the bush, with contributions from Dolly's Dream general manager Sally McSweeny and neuro science specialist Dr Simone Shaw. Dolly's Dream was created by NT couple Kate and Tick Everett following the loss of their 14-year-old daughter, Dolly, to suicide, after ongoing bullying. They have been tirelessly working since then to change the culture of bullying. Today Dolly's Dream addresses the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide through direct support to young people and their families, especially to those living in rural, regional and remote Australia. At Beef 2024 in Rockhampton next month, Do It For Dolly Day will be celebrated in Friday 10 May, dedicated to bringing the community together, spreading kindness, and uniting to end bullying in honour of Dolly Everett. Here's how visitors can participate: Go blue: Wear something blue on Friday 10 May or come down to the McKenzie Pavillion and buy some Dolly's Dream merchandise. Be kind: Embrace kindness in all your actions and go that extra mile on the day (or week!) to be kind to someone. One kind word can change someone's entire day. Fundraise: Help raise funds to deliver our anti-bullying initiatives. Your efforts will ensure that we can continue to support young people and families experiencing bullying. You can register your activity here. Donations: You can download a Do It For Dolly Day poster to display at your Beef 2024 site to encourage donations. There is also a fundraising lunch “Dining for a Dream” planned for  Tuesday 7 May. Click here for further details.     The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.

Driven by favourable weather across eastern Australia, and growing international beef demand, the 2024 cattle market has some strong underpinnings for the 12 months ahead. Today's Weekly Grill podcast continues our occasional markets series, with host Kerry Lonergan talking with regular markets commentators RMA's Chris Howie and Ep3's Matt Dalgleish. The looming impact of the US drought on global beef supply and beef demand over the next two years out of the US and other countries is a key focus in today's update.   The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Elders and Rhinogard by Zoetis.