IN BRIEF From paddock Join the to plane action nspiring new ways of using red have to pay for premium cuts to get at MLA’s Imeat on the menus of Australia’slargest airline was the focus of“There are a lot of logistical challengesa great eating experience. genetics a recent workshop with Qantas, to consider for in‑flight catering. Menus hub hosted by MLA in Sydney. are locked in nine months ahead of MLA team members met with Qantas time, there isn’t a full working kitchen on‑board and then there is the fact we M LA has created a new culinary team executives and chefs genetics hub to bring from celebrity chef and restaurateurlose sensitivity to taste at altitude. Neil Perry’s consulting team, who together tools and “Despite this, demand remains strong resources for producers to use create menu ideas for Qantas as partand red meat meals are a popular of the renowned chef’s partnershipchoice for Qantas passengers.” breeding values and accelerate with the airline. productivity in herds and flocks. Meat Standards Australia (MSA) MLA Domestic Market Manager Retail Training Facilitator Kelly PayneThe hub – genetics.mla.com.au – Graeme Yardy said with Qantas seamed out an MSA rump and includes resources for tropical serving more than 10 million meals aMLA Corporate Butcher Doug Piper cattle, temperate cattle, prime lambs year, the workshop was a valuable butchered a lamb carcase to show and Merinos. opportunity to showcase the red meatthe full range of cuts which can be You can: industry’s credentials, demonstrateused to maintain cost‑effective and creative ways to use red meat and • hear from other producers in consistent portion size. case studies ultimately drive increased use on board Qantas flights. MLA chefs Sam Burke and Julie • watch how‑to videos including Ballard then prepared lunch using understanding breeding values “We highlighted our work across lesser‑known beef and lamb and setting breeding objectives many parts of the business includingnon‑prime cuts. traceability and biosecurity, livestock • access resources and key contacts management, some of our research Qantas and Neil Perry Consulting • test your sire‑selection skills in and development and marketing have created a collaborative group ‘pick the performer’ videos. work, and talked about sustainabilityto work with MLA on increasing the The hub is already hitting the mark and the role we’re playing in the reduse of red meat across all classes with producers, with the following meat industry’s target of being carbonof travel. ■ ‘traffic’ recorded in the 12 weeks neutral by 2030,” Graeme said. since the campaign launch: “We also demonstrated the diversity ofGraeme Yardy 6,935 non‑prime cuts to show that you don’t E: gyardy@mla.com.au visits to the campaign website 5,839 video views 15% are returning visitors 63% visited the site on a mobile device ■ See pages 20–22 for more on the benefits of breeding values. MLA’s genetics hub: MLA Business Manager, Food Service and Corporate Chef Sam Burke and MLA Product genetics.mla.com.au Development Executive and Culinary Chef, Julie Ballard (pictured in aprons), prepared lunch using lesser‑known, non‑primal cuts for the team from Qantas and Neil Perry Consulting. 6