In episode 9 of the Meat and Livestock Australia Feedback Podcast hear about MLA’s latest winter beef marketing campaign with Australian Olympian and reigning world champion Javelin thrower, Kelsey-Lee Barber.

Called 'Beef. Feed Your Greatness', the campaign sees Australian Olympic and Paralympic athletes shining a spotlight on beef’s nutritional value and the important role it plays in their diets.

Also, find out how Australia’s sheep meat market is faring as MLA release their mid-year update to the 2021 sheep projections.

This episode is brought to you from Beef Australia in Rockhampton, and we will hear from:

• Armidale Beef Producer and winner of the 2021 Meat & Livestock Australia Producer Innovation Award, Bill Mitchell on his portable in paddock weighing system. (00:44)

This episode covers: 

• Boosting carrying capacity through soil testing | Interviewees: MLA Southern Beef & Sheep Adoption Project Manager, Andrew Morelli, and Sam White from Bald Blair Pastoral Co. [00:01:19-00:08:02]

Further resources 

• For more best practice advice, tools and information to help undertake on-farm soil testing, visit the MLA soils hub

This episode covers: 

• Connecting Australian consumers and red meat production | Interviewee: South Australian sheep and grain producer, Natalie Sommerville [00:01:06-00:06:36]

Further resources 

• Go to org.auto read Nat’s story and those of the five other #BackOnTrack feature producers

This episode covers:

• Demonstrating the value of adding annual varieties to increase production | Interviewees: Victorian sheep producer, Mal Nicholson and MLA Project Manager – Productivity and Market Insights, Alana McEwan [00:01:03-00:09:00]

Further resources

• Go to com.au/pds for more information about MLA’s Producer Demonstration Sites or to get involved

In this episode Jason Strong explains what MLA’s newly-released Strategic Plan 2020-25 means for red meat producers; we talk to Merimbula cattle producer, Deb Gray who is one of almost 100 fire-affected producers who have accessed support through MLA’s Back to Business Program; MLA Market Insights Manager, Tim Ryan, dissects the trade outlook for the second half of 2020; Central Queensland beef producer, Melinee Leather explains how MSA feedback informs her on-farm decisions; and Integrity Systems Company, Integrity Program Manager, Damon Holmes gives us the rundown on what to expect from changes to National Vendor Declarations, which come into effect from next month.

Further resources

• Follow this link for more information on MLA’s Strategic Plan 2020-25

To keep up to date on everything MLA, visit mla.com.au, follow MLA on social media, sign up to myMLA and subscribe to MLA e-newsletters.

In episode 1, hear from gold medal winning Australian Paralympian and beef ambassador, Temora’s Scott Reardon, and catch up with MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong for an in-depth interview on how industry is responding to the challenges from COVID-19.

We also get help for producers impacted by bushfires, some red meat cooking tips from MLA sponsored celebrity chef Hayden Quinn, and Victorian producer Fiona Conroy walks us through the making of her family’s carbon neutral farm.

Further resources:

· Click this link for more information on the carbon foot print calculation methods used at Knewleave Partnership 

· In response to the constantly changing COVID-19 pandemic, MLA has compiled a comprehensive list of resources. Visit mla.com.au/covid-19 for the most up-to-date information

· Many industry events have been cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit mla.com.au/events to stay up to date

· For producers recovering from bushfires, find out more about MLA’s one-on-one mentoring Back to Business program here

· Funding applications are now open for beef and sheepmeat producer groups interested in running local projects to validate the on-farm benefits of R&D. For more information and to apply visit mla.com.au/pds To keep up to date on everything MLA, visit mla.com.au, follow MLA on social media, sign up to myMLA and subscribe to MLA e-newsletters