Cattle producers will be challenged to consider big questions potentially affecting their properties around carbon, renewable energy and mining access at a forum to be held as part of Cattle Connect 2024.
The debate will be led by Colette Glazik, a lawyer by training, Tasmanian food and fibre producer by practice, and Nuffield Scholar who investigated the agricultural carbon footprint and how international frameworks, government policy and consumer preferences impacted farmers on the ground.
Ms Glazik’s report, titled ‘A Wolf Called Opportunity’, examines the value of carbon and nature markets for agriculture.
“Cattle producers across Australia are faced with a fast-changing operating environment offering on one hand the opportunity to profit from carbon and nature services markets, while on the other they are facing land access disruptions from mining and renewable energy companies,” Cattle Australia (CA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chris Parker, said.
Cattle Connect is the inaugural conference and producer day of CA, the grass-fed beef industry’s peak body responsible for driving policy, and guiding research, development, and adoption (RD&A) and marketing investment for the sector.
The event, to be held at Bective Station in Tamworth, New South Wales, on 21 November, is designed to foster knowledge sharing and encourage debate on the big issues facing the industry, as well as celebrate its successes.
Following her keynote address, Ms Glazik will be joined in a panel discussion with Michael Katz, CEO of RELA, a firm which specialises in helping landholders navigate the renewable energy landscape, as well as Will Evans, CEO of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, and CA Regional Consultative Committee representative, Kari Moffat.
Meat & Livestock Australia Managing Director, Michael Crowley, will also address the event on the organisation’s vision as it develops a new strategic plan for 2026-30, providing attendees an opportunity to engage in discussions on how they want their levies spent over the coming years.
Cattle Connect 2024 will feature a screening of the internationally renowned documentary, ‘World Without Cows’, and finish with a fun and tasty sundowner with chef Sam Burke’s ‘Rare, Medium, Live!’
Register to attend Cattle Connect 2024 at www.cattleaustralia.com.au.