Meat & Livestock Australia's On The Ground Podcast

Thailand is no longer a side market for Australian beef and lamb—it is one of the fastest-changing growth stories in Asia. Sam Gill from CP Foods breaks down why the Thai market is expanding, what the Thailand–Australia Free Trade Agreement has unlocked, and how evolving consumer habits are reshaping demand for everything from chilled beef to lamb.

Australia just proved it can beat the world at steak—and Nick Thompson explains exactly how Paradigm Foods pulled it off. From a first-ever entry at the World Steak Challenge in Amsterdam to a history-making purebred Wagyu eye fillet that stunned judges, this conversation unpacks the genetics, feeding strategy, and supply-chain discipline behind a global win.

AMIC CEO Tim Ryan joins Josh Anderson to discuss the major pressures facing Australia’s red meat processing sector, including rising costs, tight supply, regulatory challenges, and growing trade risks. Tim explains the latest on the US lamb investigation, changing market access across Asia, competition from South American exporters, and why a strong processing sector is vital for the entire livestock industry. Plus, we explore the latest Sausage King awards and Australia’s role in hosting the World Butchery Challenge in 2028.

In this episode we head straight to the paddock and follow our Aussie Beef Mate delegates on a journey through Victoria, as they discover the science, care, and precision behind Australian beef. At Harmony Wagyu, we explore how genetics, IVF breeding programs, pasture management, and emerging technologies such as grazing collars and drones are helping produce more consistent, high-quality Wagyu. We also hear from chefs from Harrods, the Philippines, and Indonesia as they share their impressions after visiting farms and processing facilities—and explain how these experiences are changing the way they understand, cook, and serve beef. It’s an inside look at the people, processes, and decisions that have helped make Australian beef a global benchmark.

When flights stop, exports stall. Christian Thomas from C.T Freight reveals how Middle East conflict has ripped through Australian chilled meat logistics, tripling freight rates in some lanes, rerouting product through new hubs, and forcing exporters to make decisions in hours, not days. If you sell beef, lamb, or fresh product into global markets, this is the episode that shows how fragile - and adaptable - the supply chain really is.

This week Josh Anderson catches up with Andy Groneman, MLA’s business development manager in the US, while he’s in Australia for the Aussie Beef Mates tour and filming content for the Aussie Meat Academy. The conversation opens with the latest US beef quota announcement and what it could mean for imported product sentiment, cattle prices, and domestic herd expansion.

This week Josh catches up with Travis Brown, Regional Manager for Japan and Korea, to unpack what’s happening on the ground across two key markets for Australian red meat. From Brazil’s potential market access and what it could mean for competition, to the success of Father’s Day retail and food service campaigns, the conversation explores how MLA is building brand value, loyalty, and long-term market readiness.

The US red meat market is bigger, more complex, and more full of opportunity than most people realise - and Paul Da Silva reveals why Australian beef, lamb, and goat are still finding buyers even as trade policy shifts underfoot.

Josh Anderson sits down with Paul, MLA’s regional manager in North America, for a sharp update on the forces reshaping the market: tariff moves, the USITC safeguard investigation into lamb, and the surprising demand signals from consumers actively seeking protein.

In this episode we're joined by Valeska, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, as she unpacks shifting global trade flows and what they mean for Australian beef and lamb across markets like the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Valeska shares insights from the ground in Manila, where she’s seeing growing demand for premium products, stronger retail and foodservice opportunities, and a rising interest in health-and-wellness activations that connect Australian beef with consumers in new ways. It’s a timely look at how Australia is strengthening its presence across Southeast Asia through trade shows, education, and partner-led activations.

In this special episode, we join MLA's special guests—international delegates of industry experts and international dietitians—sharing first hand perspectives on Australian livestock and food culture. Step into the paddocks with industry insiders and international experts as they explore the critical connection between soil quality and premium meat production. Learn why diversified pastures and sustainable farming practices aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the backbone of a resilient, future-proof industry that feeds millions with quality and confidence.