SUPPLY CHAIN WA producer Jessie Davis (left) and agricultural economist Lucy Anderton during the MLA‑supported tour of MENA sheepmeat markets. Image: Tanya Kilminster On‑ground MENA insights WA sheep producer the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, “Each country needs to be treated Jessie Davis has a along with sheep from other countries, differently; each country needs its own better understanding waiting for the cultural festivals of Eidparameters and its own conditions. of global markets for Australian and Ramadan. It’s not one market.” red meat after she headed to These festivals occur on different MLA’s Program Manager – Value Chain the Middle East and North Africa dates each year, so the culturally Research, Development and Adoption, (MENA) region as part of an significant slaughter times also move. David Beatty, said it was encouraging MLA‑supported industry tour. In 2019, Eid fell during the Australian to see producers take an interest in the live sheep export ban during the whole supply chain. Jessie, who runs a mixed enterprise in northern summer, so sheep needed to the wheatbelt with her parents Murray be maintained for three months while “They’re taking responsibility for more and Vicki Dixon, said there were lots of waiting for slaughter. than just what happens on‑farm by surprises during the tour. understanding how their product is “Dubai and Qatar were hot when we handled and marketed beyond the farm “The supermarkets in these countries were there so it was timely to go in the gate,” he said. ■ were amazing, with full carcases middle of summer to experience what on display to purchase and viewing our sheep would experience over there. LESSONS windows into the coolroom, even at the LEARNED high‑end supermarkets.” “They were being fed a maintenance ration and they looked great.” Insights such as seeing hundreds > The Middle East and North Africa of people coming into public meat Jessie said conditions in Jordan were very different, with temperatures only sheepmeat market is diverse houses to haggle for carcases also reaching the mid‑30s (°C) by day, and and complex. highlighted unique aspects of the cooler overnight. She would like to > Consumers are very connected MENA supply chain. see more research into how long it to their food and its origins. “They seem much more connected to would take sheep to recover here, if > Australian sheep in Middle their meat products, but I think we’re they travelled through the Gulf when it Eastern feedlots were in starting to see it more here – people was hot. excellent condition. are wanting to see more about where One of the biggest take‑home their food is coming from,” Jessie said. messages for Jessie was the diversity As a producer, Jessie was interested of Australia’s overseas markets, even Jessie Davis to see Australian sheep in feedlots in within the same region. E: jessie.davis@zoho.com SNAPSHOT:Jessie Davis, Murray and Vicki Dixon, Narembeen, WAS Area: Enterprise: Livestock: Pasture: Soil: Rainfall: 4,000ha Wheat and 1,500 Merino ewes Improved Mixed Around sheep mated to Suffolk pastures 300mm rams for prime lamb production 43