In this week's podcast our guest, Chris Meade, shows that anything is possible with a strong will and a clear vision. 

Born and raised on a farm, his initial dream of becoming a veterinarian was set aside after his father died tragically and Chris ended up in the building industry. At the age of 23, Chris began what is now known as CMTP, a prominent name in the Australian packaging industry.  How his enthusiasm for cattle is woven into this story comes later. 

Beginning in the backyard of the Meade family's rented house, Chris's hard work soon led to an expansion of CMTP. In its early years, the company's primary product was potato and onion bins. Today, they can produce a painted and stencilled pallet every ten seconds. In the last year alone, the company created three million pallets.

CMTP's current operations include 11 sites with around 300 employees.  Chris reflects, “Lots of people say, "Oh, you can't do it." Well, we do it. And we have quite a complex business in terms of how many sites it's over and the amount of material we use. So, if somebody says you can't do it, they've got it wrong. You can do it." 

Chris highlights his commitment to the ethics and integrity of his company, as well as financial transparency. They conclude each day with a clear understanding of whether they've operated at a profit or loss, allowing them to promptly address any issues, rather than discovering financial setbacks months later. 

In 2008, he rekindled his involvement in farming by purchasing a small herd of unregistered and "unruly" Limousin cattle. He has since established a well-structured breeding programme and says his cattle are more like "puppies" now. Core values in his breeding programme include docility, polledness and structural soundness.

As part of their conversation, Mark and Chris discuss the impact of the F94L gene on Limousin cattle. This gene contributes to a 20% reduction in IMF and a 30% decrease in external fat cover.  It results in a 19% increase in prime cuts in the carcass. Also, animals with two copies of the F94L gene (98% of Limousin), maintain the same feed intake efficiency as those without it. This has a direct impact on methane production.

Chris's commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected at CMPT as well. Part of their sustainability strategy includes leveraging waste from their timber operations to enhance soil quality on their farms. Chris also shares how he sees his approach to farming as a form of self-insurance. By investing in properties, they can weather minor disasters without relying on external insurance.

Listen to the full episode to hear how Chris Meade has built CMTP into Australia's top pallet and bin supplier, whilst maintaining his abiding passion for livestock and genetics.

Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited.

We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best: [email protected].

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