The nutritional capacity of Mitchell grass and the types of courses that could be undertaken at the Longreach Pastoral College were among the questions fired at local experts when a 13-member Vietnamese beef industry delegation visited the Longreach Pastoral College last Friday.
Thanks to an Australian Award Fellowship that aimed to build capacity and strengthen partnerships between countries, the group was midway through a 20-day tour of Queensland that included technical advice on cattle nutrition from the UQ Gatton campus, field trips to Glenlands Droughtmasters at Rockhampton and Stratford cattle station south of Jericho, and observing the butchering techniques of the college’s expert, Pat Tanks.
An animal health researcher with the Vietnamese National Institute of Veterinary Research, Huyen said the inspection of the abattoir in Longreach had contrasted differences in biosecurity protocols between the two countries for her.
“Our abattoirs are quite dirty – animals are killed in the pens you’re working with them. They don’t get washed again,” she said. “And the customer cuts the carcase themselves. Women are usually doing the work of breaking the carcase down.”
Huyen and the other delegates that included hand-picked staff from the Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development, researchers and private industry representatives, will contribute to the development of a framework for Vietnam-Australian cooperation in the beef industry based on their findings, with recommendations for improvement to be delivered to the MARD Minister.
There were plenty of questions as delegates were shown the stun gun used at the abattoir in Longreach, and as the NLIS traceability protocols were demonstrated.
College director, Karen Smith said the facility was uniquely placed in Queensland to deliver training on meat processing, safe handling and livestock handling courses.
There were moments of confusion when delegates asked about veterinary training before Longreach’s vocational approach was explained.
A comment from Department of Agriculture scientist David Phelps in relation to MLA levies funding portions of his work was received with great interest, as was the explanation by tour leader Sharon Brown that it meant producers were driving research rather than the government.
Dr Phelps fielded other questions on links between teachers and producers, as well as enquiries about the seed harvesting capacity of Mitchell grass.
Its relatively high 20 per cent protein capacity was of interest until Dr Phelps explained that it struggled with consistently high wet conditions.
The capacity of the local cattle selling facility was outline by Longreach Regional Council deputy mayor Leonie Nunn, who also emphasised the role kangaroos play in competing for pasture.
Visit collaborators include the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the University of Queensland, Trade and Investment Queensland, and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and was supported with funds provided by UQ, Vietnam’s MARD, and the Australian government.
The delegates visited live export facilities in Townsville on Monday as well as the quarantine feedlot at Charters Towers, and will debrief with DFAT officers on Friday before returning to Hanoi.
Expected trip outcomes include increasing knowledge to help Vietnam’s beef sector expand its national breeding program, to improve fattening enterprises, and ethical cattle slaughter techniques.
Cooperative arrangements are expected to be documented and finalised in January 2017.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
