"WHAT'S YOUR BEEF" presented by Suncorp Bank
Meet Podcast Host Jayne Cuddihy
Jayne is a multi- award winning professional communicator with almost 20 years’ experience reporting, writing and broadcasting across Australia and overseas.
She comes from- and is deeply committed to- regional Australia and its people and has worked tirelessly to bridge the city-country divide through engaging storytelling. Jayne has worked for RuralPress, News Ltd and the ABC. Now running her own media company with her husband Martin, she has a diverse portfolio in freelance writing, public speaking, broadcasting, communications consulting, producing, editing and project management.
Now based back home in rural North Queensland with Martin and their three young children, she’s working on adding ‘cattle producer’ to her already impressive CV.
EPISODE 1 Bryce Camm "All Roads Lead to Beef 21"
“What’s your Beef” launched with episode one featuring Chair of Beef Australia, Bryce Camm. Growing up in North Queensland on “Natal Downs”, Bryce’s extensive personal and professional development has led naturally to this role. Bryce shares some of the great history and new initiatives unveiled on the road to Beef Australia 2021.
EPISODE 2 – Kitty Sheridan "From the Bush to the Beef Industry"
Growing up on a cattle and cropping property in New South Wales, Kitty always wanted to work in the beef industry. Kitty shares her time with Elders at the Charlton feedlot, her career progression and current role as Livestock Strategic Operations Manager for Teys Australia in Naracoorte.
EPISODE 3 – Terry Nolan "An Evolving Industry"
Terry Nolan is seen by many as a legend of the industry and listening to his story, it’s easy to see why. From humble beginnings as a family run butcher in Gympie, Nolan Meats has grown to be an innovative company renowned for quality. Terry shares some great insights into breeding, the development of his business and shares what he is most looking forward to at Beef Australia.
EPISODE 4 – Lucinda Corrigan "Innovation Unpacked"
Wearing many hats, Lucinda has worked in the Australian livestock industry for forty years. Seedstock, Genetics, Producer, Chair – Lucinda is an experienced Jack-of-all-trades and respected, long term member of the agricultural community. Speaking of her passion for the industry, the bush and how her diverse career and innovative approach led to her working with Angus Beef.
EPISODE 5 – Amanda Moohen "The Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program"
Following a long career in the beef industry, Amanda was selected for the inaugural Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program. Amanda speaks of her participation in this “life-changing” program and the foundation it laid for the progression in her career and on her road to Beef Australia 2021.
EPISODE 6 – Tom Acton "Beef Connections Honours Graeme"
As a fifth generation cattle grazier from Central Queensland, Tom Acton explains his family’s association with the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program. Named in honour of his late father, Tom says the Beef Connections program plays a key role at Beef Australia and to the next generation. Tom also speaks of the Acton family’s involvement and love of campdrafting, and the annual iconic event at Paradise Lagoons.
EPISODE 7 – David McLean "Is Beef Regenerative?"
As a sought after educator, consultant, facilitator and public speaker across Australia, Chair of RCS Australia David McLean explains the balance required in the beef industry to deliver regenerative beef. David speaks of the importance of loving our landscape as much as our livestock and the vital role of storytelling to the beef industry.
EPISODE 8 – Ced Wise "40 Years at the Wrong End of a Cow"
As the name of this episode suggests, bovine veterinarian Ced Wise has made a name for himself specialising in the back end of cattle! He talks about his lifetime involvement in bovine reproduction, embryo transfer and bull fertility. Ced explains how he became involved in the beef industry and takes us right back to where his interest in reproduction began and why he won’t be settling down any time soon!
EPISODE 9 – Lydia Inglis "Outback to your Plate"
Leading hand Lydia Inglis is a Beef 21 Next Generation Committee Member. Lydia spoke of her role at ‘Yarrie Station’ and the property’s ongoing commitment to producing sustainable beef whilst looking after the country; and more recently, the launch of ‘Outback Beef’ online. She also gives us a candid insight into dealing with anxiety in isolation and the crippling effect drought can play on one’s mind.
EPISODE 10 – Jason Childs "Who was the Prince that became a King?
Central Queensland Seedstock producer, Jason Childs is a member of the Beef Australia stud cattle committee is widely recognised for his family’s ongoing advancement of the Droughtmaster breed, and their success in the show and sales rings. Russell Hughes sat down with Jason at the family’s Glenlands Stud just outside of Rockhampton, to uncover some of the history of his family’s 120 years of custodianship of the property, and to learn who was … the Prince that became a King!
EPISODE 11 – Charlie Arnott "The Regenerative Journey"
Charlie Arnott is an eighth generation beef producer, educator, podcaster and regenerative agriculture specialist! Charlie has transformed the pasture of his property near Boorwara in the south-east slopes of New South Wales, delighting his herd of Shorthorn cattle and revolutionising the marketing opportunities of his beef, cropping and sheep enterprises. Charlie talks of the transformation of not just ‘the paddock between his ears’, but his beef, pasture and business. Fun fact: Charlie is one of the few family members who haven’t graced the floors of the family’s famous biscuit factory – but admits it’s hard to go past an orange cream!
EPISODE 12 – Peter Chiesa "From Little Things, Big (Expensive) Things Grow"
Peter Chiesa bought his first cow at age 14. From a long family lineage of butchers, Peter saw the opportunity to be an important part of the production chain and started his own Brahman stud in the lush, green paddocks of Ingham in North Queensland. Peter shares his tips on breaking into the seedstock industry and the opportunities of technology. And, do you know what a $45,000 cow looks like? Peter talks us through what that means on the inside and out!
EPISODE 13 – Angus Lane "The Voice of Queensland"
For over 30 years Angus Lane has been the voice of Queensland’s agricultural shows, the Ekka and of course Beef Australia. His voice is synonymous for Interbreed Grand Parades and he has a true passion for rural Australia – Angus is excited by the future generations and shares the secret to his success behind the microphone (spoiler alert- it’s his wife Vicki!). Angus reminisces about his favourite and hilarious highlights of Beef events, including the time he unexpectedly starred in the Grand Parade.
EPISODE 14 – Elisha Parker "Rules of an Innovator"
Elisha Parker’s association with Beef Australia is long and colourful. As Beef’s Young Ambassador in 2009, she has worked on and led a number of Next Gen committees and is now recruiting high calibre speakers for the 2021 symposium. But it’s her incredible contribution to the Australian beef industry through her online beef marketing platform, several industry group representations and advocacy that is worth noting. Elisha speaks of the need for the Australian beef industry needing to hone their message, running an online business from a telecommunications black spot and her ‘silver bullet’ solution to recruiting and maintaining youth in rural industries.
EPISODE 15 – Lorraine Gordon "Beef Cattle Farming - The Regenerative Journey"
Lorraine Gordon is a carbon farmer and holistic beef cattle trader at Ebor in the New England Tablelands of New South Wales. She’s also Southern Cross University’s director of Strategic Projects and Associate Director for Organics research. She lets host Jayne Cuddihy in on some secrets to time-controlled management plans, holistic grazing and the perfect way to finish steers. Also- her favourite cut of beef will have your mouth watering in seconds!
EPISODE 16 – Julie McDonald "Opportunity, Diversity and Family"
If there was an Olympic event for multi-tasking, Julie McDonald would be in the running. As Chief Financial Officer for McDonald Holdings- one of Australia’s largest integrated family owned and operated beef cattle enterprises, Julie is also a director of several of her own businesses. In this episode, Julie gives host Jayne Cuddihy an incredibly candid insight into how she took up the reins after the tragic loss of her husband Zanda in 2013 and flourished in her own right- both in the boardroom and parenting their four daughters.
EPISODE 17 – Allana Ross "Beyond the farm gate"
The future of the beef industry is in good hands with the youth, passion and professionalism of people like Allana Ross. Recruited by Brisbane based company OBE Organic, Allana spends her time spruiking the company’s brand across the globe and helping to oversee quality control in the processing plants. Join Jayne Cuddihy as she discovers why Allana abandoned a career in journalism to follow her heart into beef.
EPISODE 18 – Charlie Perry "Doing beef business globally"
It’s every industry’s dream to have young and passionate people coming up through the ranks, the beef industry being no exception. Charlie Perry is one of those gems the cattle industry is lucky to have. Charlie left a corportate career in Sydney to manage the family’s Wagyu Stud at Aberfoyle in New South Wales. In the last five years he’s ridden the highs and lows of farming to cement their business in the global marketplace for genetics and seedstock.
EPISODE 19 – Don Menzies "From Bronco Rails to Biometric Tags"
Innovator Don Menzies has observed the beef industry go from bronco rails to biometric tags over the last 30 years. Beginning his career in the Rockhampton CSIRO offices, Don has been part of tremendous change in the use of technology to aide management practices and marketing. Join Jayne Cuddihy as Don reminisces about his various industry roles, challenges and triumphs, including the madatory uptake of NLIS tags and electronic identification- which wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
EPISODE 20 – Mark Peart "Driving Agriculture from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age"
If you want to talk Ag Tech, then Mark Peart is your man! He’s the CEO of DIT Technologies, one of Australia’s experts in livestock water supplementation and agricultural technology. But, by his own admission he’s a serial entreupreneur and his passion for making life easier for people living and working on the land is incredible. Listen as he takes host Jayne Cuddihy through some of the recent breakthroughs in Ag Tech in Australia and the enormous potential for a more dynamic beef industry.
EPISODE 21 – Paul Holm "Sustainability and growing Beef - from BEEF18 to BEEF21"
Doing Business at Beef- whether it’s networking, selling, buying or showcasing, Beef21 has it covered with industry partners such as Elders. Paul Holm is the Livestock Manager for Queensland and the Northern Territory for Australia’s biggest publically listed agribusiness agency. He gives us a sneak peek at what innovations they have in store for the 2021 expo as well as some pointers as to how to do business in the bush!
EPISODE 22 – Cherie Gooding "Beefed up approach to better health"
Cherie Gooding has been a keen advocate for Beef Australia’s expo for decades. Moving through the ranks as a junior cattle judge, she now leads the charge with Beef’s junior judging and announcing- mentoring dozens of hopeful competitors each event. As a stud breeder and bovine vet based at Biloela, Cherie brings a terrific knowledge and sense of humour to everything she does. Listen as host Jayne Cuddihy learns about her beef adventures in Africa and her return to the family property as well as a candid account of her battles with Rheumatoid arthritis and how breeding better beef through better soil saved her life.
EPISODE 23 – Shane Webcke "From front rower, to farmer"
Best recognised for mixing it with some of the toughest front row forwards rugby league has ever produced, Shane Webcke recently caught up with Russell Hughes in a Toowoomba bar for a couple of beers, a steak, and a chat. They discussed footy, Shane’s love of agriculture, and how he manages to jam 25 hours into each day. He also opens up about the devastating loss of his Dad when his rugby league career was just taking off and the person that provided a shoulder to lean on when he really needed it. Make sure you say g’day to Shane when you spot him at Beef 2021 … just don’t get caught behind him at the buffet table!
EPISODE 24 – Robert Bell "Beef's Pitch to Success"
Pitch in the Paddock was one of the highlights on the Beef18 program and its popularity looks set to continue. Robert Bell and his team from ProAgni took out top honours at the 2018 event and have reaped the rewards from the spotlight, as their business continues to grow and develop. In this episode, Robert tells host Jayne Cuddihy that the five minute pitch is worth the effort and gives some fabulous tips on how to prepare. He also explains how ProAgni has revolutionised bovine health by producing patent-pending antibiotic free feed supplements for cattle and sheep that significantly improve productivity. You can find out more about how to throw your hat into the ring for Pitch in the Paddock at Beef 2021.
EPISODE 25 – Leon Giglia "A W.A. Perspective of the Livestock Game"
There’s no doubt about it – Leon Giglia loves his beef! Whether it’s in the paddock, on the plate, or in utero, Leon has an unbridled passion for the livestock industry. As Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Western Livestock manager, Leon has the pleasure of overseeing a dynamic and diverse part of Australia’s cattle industry. From the Pilbara to Bunbury his detailed knowledge of markets, trends and genetics has been built up over a lifetime. Join What’s Your Beef host Jayne Cuddihy as she discovers what sparked his career and why he insists on dragging huge amounts of Western Australian cattle producers across the Nullabor to Beef Australia events.
EPISODE 26 – Shane Bailey "Sometimes secondary (cuts) are best"
In the lead up to Beef 21, a good tantalising of taste buds was definitely in order as Beef Australia’s Executive Chef Shane Bailey took host Jayne Cuddihy on a culinary journey to explore all things that are glorious about Aussie beef. They discussed why those tasty/secondary cuts have become such a sensation on dinner plates across the world, and the fool proof ‘magic number’ to ensure your next beef creation is cooked to perfection. Jayne also delved into Shane’s chef journey from the Noosa Boathouse, to cooking for 40,000 guests at Noosa Food and Wine, to co-ordinating the exciting Beef Australia’s Celebrity Chef program at the iconic triennial event.
EPISODE 27 – Emily Pullen "Beefing up the snacking game"
Emily Pullen is beefing up the snacking game. As the CEO of Toowoomba based Jim’s Jerky, Emily aims to have nutritious beef snacks in the glove box of every beef-loving Australian. In this episode of ‘What’s Your Beef’, Emily describes her interesting career path back to the family business after her father’s seemingly random purchase of a butcher shop. Emily also has a terrific relationship with Beef Australia, having been a Young Ambassador and as a result spending six years in Europe. She also credits Beef Australia as playing match maker with her now husband! She is also passionate about more industry players becoming involved in industry groups and bettering understanding policy issues.
EPISODE 28 – Mark Harris "Talking Fences and Animal Performance"
Mark Harris is the Global Animal Management Marketing manager for Gallagher- one of Australia’s favourite brands for fencing and animal management products. In this episode, he tells Jayne Cuddihy how a humble family business became a global company based on innovation, technology and knowing what cattle producers want in their management systems. As an engineer and a beef and dairy farmer, Mark has the best of both worlds and has a fantastic insight into the best way to help cattle producers get the results they desire. Despite the chilly weather on his New Zealand farm, Mark’s favourite way to cook a steak is outside!
EPISODE 29 – Shannon Speight and Emma Black "Next Gen. sets the pace for Beef21"
Shannon Speight and Emma Black are quintessential modern women. Young professionals, willing and able to make meaningful change, young children running around their feet as they launch a new business and plenty of volunteer hours on the industry they are most passionate about- beef. Emma and Shannon come from vastly different backgrounds but have both landed in Far North Queensland to work in the beef industry. They’ve identified the challenges around producers’ larger bugbears- the concept of ‘data’ and what to do with it, or how to manage it and have come up with an incredible business idea aimed at getting the most of out of the D word. They are also both on Beef Australia’s Next Gen committee and have a sneak peek at what’s in store for next year’s event.
EPISODE 30 – Sam Burke "Growing Aussie Beef’s Rightful Place On the Menu"
If you ever get invited to Sam Burke’s house for a Sunday barbie, don’t be surprised if there’s at least five BBQ’s at work for the meal. It’s only a third of his collection after all! Meat and Livestock Australia’s corporate chef is as passionate about beef as the producers that put it at his disposal. Listen to this episode as he takes Jayne Cuddihy on a candid trip through memory lane- starting with his Central Queensland cattle country heritage, to cooking for thousands at a Rugby World Cup, to ensuring beef is on the menu as best as it can be in international food service. He’s got 25 years experience of working with premium beef and a life time of passion for the product.
EPISODE 31 – Michael Wilkes "A Carbon-Neutral Cow ... tomorrow’s reality, or a load of bulldust?"
Michael Wilkes is the head of the Thomas Elder Institute – the research and development arm of Elders. He works alongside Meat and Livestock Australia for the MLA and Elders co- innovation project and is an expert in carbon farming! In this episode he talks Jayne Cuddihy through some of the cutting edge innovations and technology they’re working on to refine the science behind carbon farming and why he considers it a key sustainability initiative that many beef producers are considering as part of their agribusiness.
EPISODE 32 – Alison Larard "Leading from Behind"
Alison Larard is one of those unique individuals that’s everywhere at the same time. While her desk job is a beef extension officer with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in Mareeba, you rarely find her in the office! She’s had a career as a financial councillor and beef economist, completed a Nuffield Scholarship and dabbles with her own herd of cattle whenever she gets a chance. As Jayne Cuddihy found out, Alison is deeply passionate about empowering people in the beef industry to think outside the box, get educated and be involved- cumulating in a new industry specific leadership course offered in 2020.
EPISODE 33 – Mark Scholes "Trapsing the Catwalk and Beyond to 21"
Mark Scholes is an account manager with Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Stud Stock department. For 26 years he’s trapsed the catwalks of Queensland’s selling arenas, gaining a terrific insight into market trends, but also an idea of some of breed developments we can expect over coming years. He also told host Jayne Cuddihy some of his trade cooking secrets!
EPISODE 34 – Joe Rolfe and Bernie English "Life and times in the Northern Beef industry"
Bernie English and Joe Rolfe are two old beefos- or beef extension officers with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries- albeit these days they hold well deserved senior positions in Mareeba in Far North Queensland. In this episode they reflect on their careers with host Jayne Cuddihy and talk about some of the greatest achievements and ongoing challenges for the Northern beef industry. They also discuss the merits of delicious Aussie steak, but lament the way it’s sometimes presented by those who should know better!
EPISODE 35 – Garlone Moulin "Landholders Driving Change"
Garlone Moulin and Jamie Gordon own and operate Mt Pleasant Station between Bowen and Collinsville in North Queensland. They have been active members of the Queensland Government initiative – Landholders Driving Change project. Their willingness to trial different approaches to managing their property and then share it with their extended community has proved incredibly valuable in the Bowen, Broken and Bogie catchments of the Burdekin region. In this episode Garlone takes Jayne Cuddihy on a tour of the smorgasbord of biodiversity they’ve bought back to their pastures and ecosystem to the benefit of their grazing business.
EPISODE 36 – Dale Retschlag "Building Soil Carbon With Cattle"
Dale and Alicia Retschlag are a dynamic partnership from Goovigen in Central Queensland, passionate about biodiversity, tasty beef and soil health. While they have been advocating for improvements in soil heath for 20 years, they’ve upped the anti in the last three – putting their stock through a high intensity grazing system under irrigation which has reaped some incredible results.In this episode Dale takes host Jayne Cuddihy through the changes they’ve made in their opertation to maximise nutrients for the soil and the cattle and highlighting the dramatic benefits of good stock handling.
EPISODE 37 – Sam Becker "A Genetic focus for Commercial Success"
Central Queensland’s Becker family made a splash at Beef18 with their bright red shirts and virtual reality property tours. Their Jarrah Cattle Company brand has only further developed their seed stock and other vertically intergrated pursuits. Beef21 will be no different- listen here as host Jayne Cuddihy chats to Sam Becker about how they are opening their property gates for tours during the 2021 event and what we can expect for smoko! (Also what’s in the paddock of course!)
EPISODE 38 – Greg Pankhurst "Live Export: A Reason to Celebrate"
Greg Pankhurst is the chair of the Queensland Live Exports Association, following a 35 year career in the feedlotting and live export industry- most of it in Indonesia. In this episode he tells host Jayne Cuddihy how the Australian live export industry can better communicate their amazing achievements and the rigour behind the World’s best animal welfare standards. He also details his incredible collection of Indonesian wedding and celebration attire and gives a sneak peak into what we can expect from his mentor partner in the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program at Beef21.
EPISODE 39 – Dominique Rizzo "The Delicious Road to Beef 2021"
Dominique Rizzo is one of Queensland’s culinary gems. She’s owned restaurants around the Brisbane area, but more importantly is passionate about showcasing Australian beef on an international stage through innovative menus and various experiences. She is also one of Beef Australia’s Celebrity Chefs and as host Jayne Cuddihy discovered, is creating quite a mouthwatering repotoire for the Beef21 event!
EPISODE 40 – Trent Thorne "Beef 2021 Symposium - a sneak preview!"
Trent Thorne is one of those characters of the Australian beef industry that is hidden in plain sight! With a terrific sense of humour and quick wit, it seemed a shame to limit his stories to the length of a podcast episode! By his own admission, his introduction to university involved too much of ‘the good life’. Jackarooing in the Top End bought him back to reality and Trent went on to a tremendous career as special council for McCullough Robertson lawyers in Brisbane, specialising in agriculture. In this episode he talks about his foray into the Twitter sphere- namely off the back of the 2011 live export ban and some insights into some of the big issues in the Australian beef industry in 2021. And perhaps most importantly he gives a sneak preview into what we can expect from the Symposium at Beef21!
EPISODE 41 – Mark Harvey-Sutton "Live Export, Producers and Australian Beef"
Mark Harvey-Sutton is CEO of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council. His career has been varied in that he’s worked for the Sheep Meat Council of Australia (now Sheep Producers Australia) and the Cattle Council of Australia as a policy director, as well as the Agriculture Department and other policy roles. There’s not a lot about the fine print he doesn’t know. In this episode he takes a candid approach to what the industry learned following the shock of the 2011 live export ban. He showcases the benefit of the production system to many international communities and how Australia can claim to be World leaders in animal welfare practises.
EPISODE 42 – Angus Street "Australia’s AgTech 33 year overnight success"
Angus Street is the CEO of AuctionsPlus- Australia’s most trusted online auction platform for agricultural and livestock sales. Angus is also a journalist, a marketing and communications professional, has worked for various industry body groups in a plethora of positions, including policy and finance, and started his own businesses. He’s also thrown his hat in the ring for a number of roles with Beef Australia including sitting on the Next Gen committee, Beef Promotion Committee and this year he’s a mentor in the Graeme Acton Beef Connections program. In this episode he tells Jayne Cuddihy about how hitting a low point in his life, drastically changed his direction for good and how country music is the key to business success!
EPISODE 43 – Rob Sinnamon "1988 ... A Year forever etched in Rob's memory"
The Sinnamon family have been stalwarts of the Queensland beef industry for generations; a love of the Santa Gertrudis breed running strong. Rob Sinnamon hasn’t missed a Beef Australia event since it’s inception and could possibly win the prize for being one of the event’s most passionate fans. Not to mention a win at the Inaugaural Beef 88 when 14 judges pooled their votes to select Rob and Ron Sinnamon’s Santa Gertrudis breeder, Robenlea Nightingale as a clear-cut winner of the Supreme Champion Interbreed Female. Now as the General Manager of Yulgibar Pastoral Company, he is lucky enough to not only breed cattle as his day job, but as a hobby too, as his wife Lorraine and son Andrew run Riverina Santa Gertrudis stud.
EPISODE 44 – Robert Mackenzie "Macka's Beef - An Aussie family's success story"
The Mackenzie grazing history started in 1884, when Robert’s grandfather and aunties started raising cattle in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Robert, a fourth generation grazier is carrying on the legacy with his father Bruce and two sons James and Jack. They sell a premium branded beef product- Macka’s- born because of the family’s dedication to quality from paddock to plate! In this episode Robert takes host Jayne Cuddihy through the incredible journey of setting up his beef brand, their committment to supporting their local community and what’s on the menu when international guests pop in for dinner at their Hunter Valley property.
EPISODE 45 – Owen Gwilliam "Going Organic - Hints and Tips"
Owen Gwilliam is a self-confessed beef enthusiast and modern pioneer of the Australian organic industry. He’s been working in the certified organic industry for 20 years, having provided auditing, training and consulting services to farmers in 15 countries, putting him in the perfect position to be the ‘technical guy’ at the peak body for organic farmers and handlers- Australian Organic Limited. On a personal level- he’s also eats a carnivore diet for health reasons and is a passionate advocate for the Australian beef industry.
EPISODE 46 – Marina Fortes "Contributing to a Sustainable Beef Industry"
If you know nothing about genomics, or if you know everything, then this interview is for you! Marina Fortes is a researcher with the Livestock Geonomics Group at the University of Queensland. She has a degree in Veterinary Medicine and a master of science in animal reproduction from the University of Soa Paulo, Brazil. She then completed her PhD in genetics at the University of Queensland and has held prestigious scholarships from UQ and the Beef CRC. In this interview she takes host Jayne Cuddihy through the fascinating work being done in paddocks across Australia and the repercussions for a stronger, more sustainable industry into the future. She also has an amazing story of her own- from growing up in the overcrowded cities of Brazil, to her move to Australia for love and the sacrifices she made to follow her dream. In this case, it included counting fleas!
EPISODE 47 – Fast Ed Halmagyi "When you do less, the ingredients can do more"
‘Fast Ed’ Halmagyi is one of Australia’s best-loved TV chefs and food authors. He’s also the newest member of the team for Beef Australia’s Celebrity Chef program! His reputation for transforming elegant restaurant cuisine into recipes anyone can prepare at home means, he’s able to showcase beef at every opportunity. In this episode he explains why he’s so passionate about Australia’s hospitality industry and the excellence of beef product coming from producers.
EPISODE 48 – Brian Sanders "Meat Misconception"
Brian Sanders is the film maker behind the feature-length documentary Food Lies and host of the Peak Human podcast. He’s also a health coach and co-founded the health education company SAPIEN. Brian is passionate about regenerative agriculture and increased access to well-raised animal products through his company Nose to Tail. He’s heading to Australia to be speaker at Beef21 on the issue of Mythbusting in the agricultural arena. Listen here as he explains why he switched careers from mechanical engineering to telling the truth behind the amazing contribution red meat and its production systems make to the planet.
EPISODE 49 – Stephen Moore "From Rugby Caps to Boardroom Chats "
As one of our nation’s most capped rugby union players, Stephen Moore has graced football fields across the World, representing Australia 129 times, including 24 tests as captain. After hanging up his boots, Stephen entered the corporate arena, spending three and a half years in senior positions with the North Australia Pastoral Company- or NAPCO and played a big role in putting together the Australian Beef Sustainability framework. He’s currently a Principal in the client division of the Queensland Treasury Corporation. In this episode Stephen talks about everything from his proud family heritage, to his passion for the Australian beef industry and the importance of grass roots, country rugby.
EPISODE 50 – Alex Turney "Silage on the menu at Beef21 "
We hear a lot about human gut health- but what about cattle? With four stomachs to keep in optimal condition it stands to reason we should be talking about it more. There’s some fascinating work being done here in Australia with microbial fermentation and its relationship with animal nutrition by global company Lallemand Animal Nutrition. If you’ve ever wondered about silage and the benefits to both animal health and food safety, then this is the episode for you. Managing Director Alex Turney leaves no stone unturned in what’s involved in the production process and the benefits to cattle production. He also gives a sneak preview of their huge plans for their Beef21 site, including a fresh silage pit to touch, smell and taste!
EPISODE 51 – Mark Trotter "Smart tags to improve monitoring"
Remote sensors on livestock is one of those things that in 1984 you would have thought impossible- and today- we’re almost spoilt for choice. But, like any technology, how much further can we take it and what is it’s potential? Mark Trotter is a researcher leading Central Queensland University’s Precision Livestock Management team. His specialist area is the development and evaluation of on-animal sensors, such as smart tags, to improve monitoring and management of individual animals for production, health and welfare issues. In this episode he talks about the benefits and the challenges of remote sensors and how CQU is leading the charge in research for grassroots applications.
EPISODE 52 – Cameron MacMillan "Making dreams a reality even when mother nature has other ideas"
For many young Australians, owning your own cattle property has become almost an impossible dream. Cameron MacMillan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority or QRIDA who are increasingly gaining a reputation for being the saving grace to making dreams reality. They also play a pivotal role in getting communities back on their feet following disaster. Join Cameron as he takes a look at his fascinating career- from starting as a stock and station agent in Western Queensland to setting up export markets in South Korea before they were a major trading partner, to his role at QRIDA and everything in between!
EPISODE 53 – Sabina Knight "Growing our own"
You’d be hard pressed to find someone more passionate about rural health services that Professor Sabina Knight. After a lifetime living and working in remote areas of Australia, she has developed an intimate knowledge of the best way to service some of our most problematic areas. Currently working as part of James Cook University’s Department of Rural Health, Sabina’s dedicated to growing a rural health network from her base in Mount Isa, Western Queensland.
EPISODE 54 – April Cavanagh "Making a difference with a passion for finance and fashion"
April Cavanagh is an impressive character in Australia’s banking and agricultural sectors. As Suncorp’s head of Agribusiness she knows all too well the challenges and triumphs of the beef industry. Listen here as Jayne Cuddihy discovers where her passion stems from and why her staff and peers rate her as one of the most influencial leaders of her time. She also has bit of fashion advice for those wanting to make a difference!
EPISODE 55 – Ian Mill "The biggest Beef yet"
What do 115 thousand people, 5000 cubic metres of sawdust, $23million worth of cattle, 50 politicians and 78 ticketed events have in common? You guessed it – Beef 21. After such a tumultuous leadup it’s hard to believe it’s over, but wheels are already in motion for Beef24. Ian Mill is Beef Australia’s CEO. This was his first time in the driving seat and while he’s been a long- term Rockhampton resident, he says the inner sanctum gave him a refreshed appreciation for Australia’s incredible beef industry.
EPISODE 56 – Stephen Rennie "Show me the beef cheeks"
Where are the beef cheeks? That’s the number one demand coming from consumers according to one of Australia’s biggest supermarkets. Steven Rennie is the national livestock manager for Coles Beef. The retail giant says they prefer to work with family farms and businesses citing the ability to build meaningful relationships with their suppliers and a commitment to quality and consistency. They are also proven problem solvers when a hiccup does arise. Coles processes over half a million head of Australian cattle annually and according to Steve, it’s important to him that his buyers are in the drafting yard when they are selected.
EPISODE 57 – Pitch in the Paddock at Beef21
Pitch in the Paddock is one of Beef Australia’s showcase events. It’s where innovators and entrepreneurs in the Ag Tech space spend a few gruelling months preparing a three minute pitch to some of the most well connected funders in the country. Not only do they have a $10 thousand prize up for grabs, but access to influential networks and decision makers. Listen here as What’s Your Beef podcast host Jayne Cuddihy went behind the scenes to meet the finalists and the judges.
EPISODE 58 – Melinee Leather - "A Sustainable Legacy"
Melinee Leather is an organic cattle producer from Barfield Station in Queensland’s Banana region. With her husband Rob, the pair have built a thriving cattle business and hold true to their values of sustainable agriculture with strict biosecurity and animal welfare measures. It’s through her work with the broader industry that Melinee has gained a strong understanding of what consumers are expecting from their food producers and has been awarded several times for her tireless efforts to improve understanding within her peers.
EPISODE 59 – Alison Meagher aka Butcher Girl - "Butcher Girl Takes Centre Stage"
One of the featured events of the Beef Australia expos is the Nose to Tail dinner- where a carcase is cut down on stage to reveal some of the complexities of meat preparation, all the while guests are treated to the delicious results on their plates. At Beef21, the spotlight was on butcher Alison Meagher, or Butcher Girl as she is known. The beef industry has a wonderful relationship with Alison. Not only has she found a career in meat, but it’s taken her around the World, showcasing Australian product to some of the planet’s highest rollers in the most spectacular places. It also meant finding the love of her life, as they both wielded butcher’s knives on opposite sides of the cutting bench. ‘What’s Your Beef’ host Jayne Cuddihy was lucky enough to speak to her between events at Beef21.
EPISODE 60 – Richard Rains - "Call to arms"
Can you imagine being the person responsible for first selling Australian meat to Korea? Or having the brainwave that Americans should have Australian meat in their hamburgers? Richard Rains can. He’s been a champion of the Australian red meat industry for his entire career with boundless energy and enviable lightbulb moments. After a cadetship with Dalgety Australia he then joined meat exporting company Sanger Australia in 1976 and by 2000 he owned a majority stake in the business. He is also keen to see more young people stand up for leadership roles in the beef industry to drive change in the way the industry communicates outside their peer groups. As he tells What’s Your Beef? host Jayne Cuddihy, he believes there are some amazing emerging leaders.
EPISODE 61 – Russell Lethbridge - "Succeeding in Succession"
Russell Lethbridge and his family own and manage a number of North and Central Queensland properties, including Werrington Station near Einasleigh. He’s been a driving force behind better management of northern breeding herds and is one of the producer representatives of MLA.Russell and his family have also taken an empowering approach to succession planning, which has seen their business not only expand, but prosper. Listen here as he tells his story to Jayne Cuddihy, including some suprising confessions about what he likes to create in the kitchen!
EPISODE 62 – Peta Ward - "Valuing Relationships"
Peta Ward is Westpac’s Queensland Regional General Manager of Agribusiness for Westpac and says that building maintaining relationships is a major part of their success with long term clients. Be it constructive meetings- a day in the paddock helping with a muster or even fishing. Peta’s spent a lifetime in rural Queensland and has bought a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the table. Listen here as she tells Jayne Cuddihy what she sees as the major issues for modern regional banking and what this golden era of interest rates means for property purchases.
EPISODE 63 – Geoff Fordyce - "The answer is genetics"
Dr Geoffry Fordyce is one of Australia’s leading authorities on genetics and fertility, following a long career first as a vet and then with Queensland’s Agriculture Department and most recently as a senior research fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation and an Adjunct Associate professor at James Cook University. He was at Beef21 principally to talk about his latest paper; a deep dive into the Australian cattle herd: a new perspective on structure, performance and production. He and his team had realised there was a great discrepancy in what the reported size of the northern beef herd was and what is actually on the ground. What followed is ground-breaking research into the number of calf mortalities in our beef systems and how businesses can take back lost revenue by improving their genetics.
EPISODE 64 – Beef Australia Suncorp Schools Program
Almost 4000 school students participated in the Suncorp Schools Program at Beef21, and were inundated with opportunities to learn where their food and fibre comes from. Students were captivated by the program which included everything from participating in a live cattle auction, an interactive introduction to agricultural supply system and raising the profile of the broad range of agricultural careers, and of course, icecream!
EPISODE 65 – Jack Travers "Tracking the road less travelled"
One of the most exciting aspects of being in the beef industry is how diverse the range of vocations are.
It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what background you’ve had, what you studied after school, there’s something for everyone.
Jack Travers was one of the finalists in the Pitch in the Paddock event at Beef21 with his TruckTracker app. Solving supply chain issues in the beef industry was absolutely not what Jack thought he would be spending his time on, but here’s his story.
EPISODE 66 – "Stud Cattle Showcase at Beef21"
The Stud Cattle are a major draw card to Beef Australia. Dominating the Centre Ring for much of the week, attendees are treated to a smorgasbord of breeds, colours and sizes. But for a lot of these stud breeders, Beef Australia is more than a marketing strategy, its a social event. The exhibitors start bumping in well before the gates are officially open, and their campsite is abuzz with laughter, gossip and good old fashioned breed competitiveness. Kicking off with an Interbreed Tug-of-War on the Sunday night …
