RED MEAT 2019 SPECIAL FEATURE The home of red meat Tamworth became the home of red meat as well as country music in November when more than 550 producers and industry stakeholders rolled into town for Red Meat 2019, hosted by MLA. As well as MLA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), the industry’s flagship event featured on‑farm tours, the latest research, innovation and marketing insights, and social events. At the AGM, MLA members voted on the election of three directors to the MLA Board, including first‑time director John Lloyd and the re‑election of New MLA Chair Alan Beckett with newly‑elected MLA Board Directors Erin Gorter, Robert Fitzpatrick Robert Fitzpatrick and Erin Gorter. ■ and John Lloyd. Triumph over adversity Sprinter, Paralympian and third‑generation producer Scott Reardon kicked off his role as an Retiring Chair and MLA Board Director Dr Michele Allan reflected on her eight years inMLA Australian Beef Ambassador the role at the social function. with an inspiring presentation at Reflections from Red Meat 2019. Australian Beef is an official partner of MLA’s outgoing Chair Australia’s 2020 Paralympic Team, and Scott will be representing Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the men’s 100 At the event’s main social of becoming Australia’s largest metres T63. function, retiring Chair and beef export market in 2019.” MLA Director Dr Michele Born and bred in Temora, NSW, Scott was Michele cited a range of 12 years old when he lost his right leg in a Allan reflected on her eight innovations and advancements farm accident when his shoelace got caught years in the role and the including the introduction in the PTO shaft of a tractor. ■ significant changes in the of DEXA objective carcase industry in that time. measurement in processing plants, the signing of free “In 2011, nearly 70% of our beef trade agreements with exports were concentrated Japan, Korea and China, MSA in three markets – the US, delivering record high farm Japan and Korea. I remember gate returns, and the release the forecast back then that of new leucaena varieties as there could be a really good some of the highlights MLA opportunity in China; it was 1% had delivered during her time of our export market,” she said. as Chair. “We as an industry are now “I’m proud of what this industry less reliant on those three has achieved and what MLA markets. Today, they are less has delivered on behalf of levy than 60% of our exports. We’re payers in increased productivity, realising those opportunities profitability and sustainability in Sprinter, Paralympian and third‑generation producer in China and it’s on the brink the industry,” Michele said. ■ Scott Reardon kicked off his role as an MLA Australian Beef Ambassador at Red Meat 2019. 10