MITCHELL beef producer Grant Maudsley has some key industry issues in his sights should he be elected the next AgForce president.
Mr Maudsley is the current Southern Inland Queensland regional president, having started his involvement with AgForce at the grassroots level as the Mitchell branch president a decade ago.
He has since held a number of roles on the AgForce Cattle board, including AgForce Cattle president for four years. Mr Maudsley was directly involved with work to better promote grassfed beef products through the Cattle Council of Australia, which eventually led to the rollout of the Pasture Certified Accreditation Scheme.
"It took leadership to overcome the mindset of grainfed versus grassfed, and a lot of policy work to get MLA to look at the opportunities for grassfed beef in Australia and overseas," he said.
"It was a good news story that was only possible because of our MSA system which enabled us to guarantee a consistent product. But now that MSA-grading numbers are up, we need an industry discussion on product at the bottom end of the beef market that is misdescribed or misrepresented.
"This also includes supporting the ongoing development of science-based carcase description and consumer requirements to drive carcase language and payments. Engagement with a range of processors and pathways to markets will continue to be a role for AgForce to ensure competition for livestock."
Mr Maudsley is also keen to continue his work on biosecurity and animal welfare issues. He is on the board of the newly formed Biosecurity Livestock Network, which aims to make producers more aware of practices and procedures they can undertake to boost their own on-farm biosecurity.
"I see this as a really vital issue for our industry because if we have a biosecurity breakdown, it won't matter how good our produce is.
"Animal welfare is also a crucial issue and one where we will need to demonstrate industry credentials though systems like LPA."
Other issues on Mr Maudsley's radar include access to efficient and economic transport and infrastructure.
"It is also vital that AgForce continues the work in the areas of vegetation reform, CSG land access and land tenure.
"Leadership and driving community awareness of agriculture through the 'Every Family Needs a Farmer' campaign would also be a high priority for me.
"This campaign has been well recognised but is under-resourced. Its future direction will be dependent upon developing strong corporate partnerships that recognise interconnectivity of all agriculture."
Mr Maudsley and his wife Jane live on Nalpa Downs, Mitchell,
with their children, Sophie and Matthew.