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With demand for protein likely to increase as global incomes rise, what does Australia need to do to maintain its competitive export market? The University of Western Australia’s Institute of Agriculture will examine these and other agricultural-related issues during its annual Industry Forum next month.

The Industry Forum, now in its ninth consecutive year, brings together members of agribusiness, key opinion leaders, farmers, researchers and the general community to discuss current and future topics related to agriculture. This year’s topic is: “Where are we heading with the red meat industry?”

Director of The UWA Institute of Agriculture, Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique, said the Industry Forum had become a highlight of the agricultural calendar because the event focused on advancing Australia’s agriculture sector.

“The coming generation of farmers needs to be both innovative and competitive in the global market,” Professor Siddique said. “We need to ensure they have the tools, technologies and new farming systems to do so.

“After consultation with our Industry Advisory Board, the discussion at this year’s Industry Forum will be around the current status, issues and future directions of red meat industry, and will mainly focus on cattle and sheep.”

Richard Norton, managing director of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) will give the opening address on the current and future focus for Australia’s red meat industry, followed by a regional perspective by Robert Davidson, from the Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-Operative (WAMMCO).

Cattle farmer Paul O’Meehan of Butterfield Beef and Kojonup sheep farmer Robert Egerton-Warburton will present a case study on the cattle and sheep industries respectively, and Professor Garry Griffith from the University of New England will provide an economics perspective. The session will wrap up with a panel discussion and summation by Shane Sander from Agvise.

The Forum will be held at The University Club of Western Australia from 2pm to 5.30pm on Thursday 9 July. All are welcome however registration is essential as places are limited.

To register for the event visit www.ioa.uwa.edu.au/events/register-industry-forum

Media references

Diana Boykett (The UWA Institute of Agriculture)                  +61 8 6488 3756 / (+61 4) 04 152 262

David Stacey (UWA Media and Public Relations Manager)   (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716