New markets for South African and Argentinian beef may not pose immediate threats to Australian established markets, but we need to ensure that we are not complacent. Recently Argentina, through the recently established trade agreements, gained access to the United States fresh meat market for the first time this century after eliminating FMD disease. Sure it is only 20,000 tonnes, minor in the scheme of things when you take into account the US imports just over one million tons each year.
The world’s largest beef feedlot operation in South Africa, which supplies the Middle East, is expanding beef exports to China taking advantage of the increased demand by gaining access to this lucrative market. Karan Beef finishes over 500,000 units annually and operates south of Johannesburg. This year to date Karan Beef has shipped 4.4 million kilograms of beef to China, nearly as much as they have to the Middle East.
At the recent MLA Red Meat AGM, the senior marketing team was upbeat about the continued success of access of Australian product to emerging markets while maintaining our lead position in our current markets namely Japan, South Korea and the US. The message was to maintain our quality and stay ahead of the competition, which is out there and replicating our high product integrity standards.
As indicated earlier, both South Africa and Argentina may only have a limited amount of access to some of our strongest markets, but as we all know “from little things big things grow”.
Tattersall’s male members are now revisiting an issue that most thought was settled more than 12 years ago with a postal ballot next month. Do they allow female members? I am not a member of the club, only an occasional visitor, but the fact this issue has been so public would be disappointing to most members of this respected establishment. There would no doubt be strong sentiment on both sides of the debate and regardless of the outcome the divisions will remain.
In contrast, the equally respected Brisbane Club last week hosted a reception recognising that the club has had female members for the past 20 years. The speaker for the function was the first female member Cheryl Hirst. The club during that time has elected a female president and currently has two female directors sitting on the board of The Brisbane Club, all with little or no publicity.
Blake Munro has stepped aside as Elders Queensland’s stud stock manager after leading the team for the past 20 years. Blake will remain in the stud stock team.
The team gathered for the annual review of the season where it was also announced that respected and experienced operator Michael Smith would manage the operation.
Blake has been entrenched in the Elders Qld Stud Stock team for 20+ years as team leader, having begun his career as an agent with Primaries in 1971 in Brisbane. His time has taken him across Queensland working in branches including Wallumbilla, Inglewood, Hughenden, Texas, Pittsworth, Longreach and Roma. His management of the team and absolute focus on the client will allow this succession to be smooth and efficient.
Michael has had a number of livestock sales roles around Queensland in his 22 years with Elders. Branch positions include Clermont, Dalby and then onto Blackall as branch manager, with the past 13 years as a stud stock sales specialist based out of Toowoomba.
Elders Queensland sold over 4000 bulls at auction to average $6405, while maintaining the 2017 clearance rate of 89 per cent. On top of the auction sale results were another 2315 bulls sold privately for a gross value of $8.2 million, according to Queensland livestock sales manager Paul Holm.
Respected executive Brad Henderson has resigned from his senior position with MLA to re-enter the private sector. Brad was responsible for taking the annual low-key AGM and turning it into a highly successful Red Meat Event attended by over 800 members this year in Canberra. Prior to MLA Brad spent time in an executive position with the Liberal National Party.
