Pilbara and Kimberley cattlemen study red meat supply chain

Screen Shot 2016-05-05 at 8.10.59 AMBeef producers from the Pilbara and Kimberley regions have travelled south to gain an insight into the suitability of cattle for a range of markets, as well as how cattle can be identified and managed through the supply chain.

The visit to producers, backgrounders, a feedlot, a wholesale branded beef business and a processor had been organised by the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Northern Beef Futures project, made possible by Royalties for Regions.

Department development officer Lauren Gibson said representatives of Indigenous pastoral properties Louisa Downs, Millijiddee, Myroodah, Noonkanbah and Roebuck Plains were involved in the tour.

“By visiting local producers and processors who are transforming regular supply chains into value chains, tour participants will be better able to identify high-quality live export and boxed beef export market opportunities,” Ms Gibson said.

“The northern beef producers will also consider alternative business models, new integrated supply chains which allow for more diverse marketing opportunities, and experience a range of technologies and practices being used.

“Improved knowledge of the meat quality program Meat Standards Australia (MSA) will help them improve the value of their own product.”

Newly-integrated supply chain processes are being viewed at a backgrounding property, which aims to value-add pastoral cattle through innovative pasture management techniques.

A feedlot visit will allow the comparison of different types of cattle, particularly which types are suitable to be put on feed, how grain feeding can add value, and marketing opportunities unique to value-added cattle.

Ms Gibson said the tour program would also take in a visit to a boutique beef business with a branded product to hear how a pasture fed cattle assurance scheme had added value to the business.

“A visit to a major processor will outline compliance issues for northern cattle, and highlight opportunities to improve the grading of northern producers’ product and add value to station cattle sent direct to the processor,” she said.

Ms Gibson said indigenous pastoral businesses represented an opportunity for WA producers and beef companies to create partnerships that produce long term, mutually beneficial outcomes.