Industry gives ample food for thought

Complementing the full contingent of display booths from sponsors, drone demonstrations, competitions and a charity auction, a line-up of industry professionals took to the podium in the shed at Willyung Farms, Albany, throughout the event.

Are parasites taking your profits?

Kicking off the day of presentations to a full crowd that was packed into the main shed was parasitology consultant Brown Bieser with a discussion on parasites.

The focus of Dr Bieser's presentation was on the implications of worms in cattle, particularly young stock.

"Pre-emptive action on worm control in cattle prevents production loss," Dr Bieser said.

"There can be a 10 per cent production loss when worms are an issue but have not been dealt with, and this can rise to 20pc after serious signs of worms become visible."

Dr Bieser advocated keeping a close eye on susceptible stock (yearlings, weaners and bulls) and a correct drenching times (summer is best, avoid winter), methods and dosages.

There was also discussion on drenching mature cows.

"Talk to a consultant or a vet about drenching your mature cows and avoid drenching when you don't need to," Dr Bieser said.

"Another thing to keep in mind is drench resistance which is becoming more common.

"There are discussions now about the effectiveness of pour-on technology in comparison to oral and injectables, so watch this space as more research is done.

"Worms don't have to be visible to cost dollars so make sure drench dosages are correct and the timing of those drenches is important."

What is happening in the markets?

Damon Holmes from Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) national livestock reporting gave an update on the markets.

Mr Holmes outlined the current record highs in cattle prices after near record lows but said beef production is expected to decline.

One of the more central issues raised in the presentation was global political uncertainty which impacts directly on the Aussie beef market.

"Where 70pc of Australian beef product ends up through exporting is affected by political uncertainty," Mr Holmes said.

"In terms of demand prospects, beef into China is increasing and our clean green image marketability plays a big role in that.

"With Brexit, the EU and the UK are spaces to watch as is the USA.

"Due to tensions with Mexico where a lot of grassfed product goes across the border to the USA, there may be an opportunity for us in the future.

"But our consumers are very political so there is a lot of uncertainty."

Farm nutrient mapping funding

David Rogers from the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) discussed the benefits of mapping on-farm nutrient levels.

"We're trying to encourage better evidence-based farm nutrient management," he said.

"Often people don't realise they are putting fertiliser on paddocks which don't need it.

"When you consider the input cost of fertiliser is around 25pc of total input costs, it would obviously be in a producer's best interests to know which areas of their farm need what sort of inputs."

Mr Rogers demonstrated some major overspends on fertiliser and then went on to give some interesting statistics which raised some eyebrows around the room.

"Sixty three per cent of paddocks will not respond to applications of phosphorus," he said.

"And 56pc contain one to three times more phosphorus than needed which is an unnecessary economic and water quality risk.

"Eighty to one hundred per cent of paddocks are too acidic and 40-70pc are potassium deficient."

The project Mr Rogers is involved with at DAFWA is welcoming applications from producers to receive subsidised on-farm soil testing to provide detailed information on what their nutrient levels are in each individual paddock.

The information from those soil tests will enable producers to target individual paddocks for individual issues, thereby reducing unnecessary spending, improving efficiency and reducing environmental impacts beyond the property.

Boosting biosecurity defences

In another presentation from DAFWA, Jeisane Accioly emphasised the importance of maintaining the clean and green image of Australian beef as a way to keep markets strong.

"Due to the high percentage of exports from Australia and our reliance on those international markets, the health status of our herds is crucial," Ms Accioly said.

"Risk management of disease outbreaks needs to involve a number of factors.

"These include strict pre and post border biosecurity regulations, on-farm biosecurity, surveillance and traceability, supported by training and awareness."

One image of the State with the distance animals from one saleyard travel in two days demonstrated the ease and speed with which diseases could potentially spread.

"The main message is know the threat and call a vet," Ms Accioly said.

From the producer to the consumer

Major sponsor of the Harvey Beef Gate 2 Plate Challenge Coles was represented on the day by Dale Pemberton, national livestock manager at Coles, who gave a presentation on what happens in the supply chain from saleyard to the consumer's shopping basket.

Mr Pemberton said customers were the central focus and determining factor of how Coles conducted business.

"We can't sell what people won't buy," he said.

"Coles processes 55,000 head of cattle per year in WA through Harvey Beef, along with 300,000 head of sheep through V&V Walsh, 100,000 head of Plantagenet Pork and 80,000 head of Linley Valley pork.

"This means Coles spends more than $200 million in WA per year."

Mr Pemberton mentioned various avenues and brands through which Coles acquires beef but said lotfeeders played the major role in the annual numbers.

He also cited factors which influence the Coles operation and procurement of livestock which correlate with the concerns of producers.

"We're influenced by the seasons, disease outbreaks, supply versus demand and the finance and global markets," Mr Pemberton said.

"So it's fantastic for us to be involved with an event like this and we're very happy to be on board."

The experience of employing a trainee

Ravenhill Pastoral's Bonnie Ravenhill took to the podium to share her experience with employing trainees for their Narrikup-based dairy.

The Ravenhills employ two trainees per year, providing young people an opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment with mentoring from experienced staff within the operation.

"We wanted to replicate the trainee's commitment to us with an equivalent level of training and experience," Ms Ravenhill said.

A registered training organisation signs off on the trainee as they learn new skills and the Ravenhills offer to fund Tafe courses to complement the on-farm learning.

"Not only is the trainee program providing us with eager and keen young staff, but it's a practical learning experience for them too," Ms Ravenhill said.

"We can talk about pasture management during the growing season, we can talk breeding during the breeding season and so on."

Students in the audience perked up during Ms Ravenhill's presentation and asked about what her advice would be to young people about to enter the workforce.

"Work hard, show your enthusiasm and just do your best," Ms Ravenhill said.

Implications of non-compliant animals and welfare laws

The final presentation of the day was from John Bardon, DAFWA compliance inspector, who gave a presentation on animal welfare requirements.

"In my experience, most producers are compliant these days and there are plenty of ways you can get more information on what your responsibilities are," Mr Bardon said.

"But if you're not sure if one of your animals is fit to travel, call a vet for an opinion.

"If the animal is deemed unfit to travel you can either treat and monitor the problem, call a vet or if necessary, euthanase.

"It is your responsibility to select only cattle that are capable of travelling safely and are healthy enough to do so."

Tony Melrose from Regional Men's Health also gave a heartening presentation advocating talking to someone before it gets too much, which was well received by audience members.