2012 AGM & Northern Beef Forum

28^th NTCA AGM & Northern Beef Forum - Darwin, March 30, 2012

Background

The 2011 live export crisis permanently changed the face of our northern beef industry.  Not merely about economics, the crisis showed our industry that political risk and public perceptions of our industry had, and may continue to have, the greatest impact on the future of northern Australian producers and their families.

Each year, the NTCA hosts one of the beef industry’s premier events to coincide with its Annual General Meeting (AGM).   This provides a focus for the northern cattle industry.

In 2012 the NTCA’s  28^th AGM provided a platform for the Northern Beef Forum which hosted open and challenging discussion on our most critical industry issues.

Northern focus

The forum included a panel of the nations industry leaders such as:

• National Farmers Federation President - Jock Laurie
• Cattle Council of Australia President - Andrew Ogilvie
• Australian Livestock Exporters Council - Peter Kane
• Meat and Livestock Australia Chairman - Rob Anderson
• AgForce President -Brent Finlay
• NTCA President - Rohan Sullivan (download his speech here)
• Rabobank – John Baker (download his presentation here)

Much of the days discussion surrounded the structure and effectiveness of national and commodity industry representation, industry leadership and producer levies, animal welfare, live export, the rural / urban divide and challenges  in reconnecting rural Australia.

Who attended

Primarily about our members and the broader industry, the forum included:

NTCA members, state farmer organisations particularly from WA, NT and Qld, national peak industry groups such as NFF, Cattle Council of Australia, the live export industry and the statutory bodies which spend producer and exporter levies such as MLA.

Images from the Forum and Dinner

The program included:

March 29

1. Briefing for Industry by Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) on the proposed Northern Abattoir

2. Ladies Lunch

3. National Blueprint for Australian Agriculture workshop, coordinated by the National Farmers Federation (NFF) this workshop is part of a national series of workshops and is open to all industry. download flier

4. Dinners and other events hosted by agribusiness companies and sponsors for industry clients (while not official program events are on invitation of the relevant agribusiness company).

March 30

• Northern Beef Forum - 8:00 am

1. Opening address, NTCA President Rohan Sullivan

2. Keynote speaker - John Baker, Rabobank

Download his presenattion here

Asia Head of Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory

3. Facilitated industry forum and panel of industry leaders and organisations including Meat and Livestock Australia, Cattle Council of Australia, AgForce, Australian Live Export Council, National Farmers Federation and LiveCorp.

• NTCA 28th Annual General Meeting, 3:30 pm (NTCA members)

• NTCA 28^th Annual Gala Dinner – 6:30 pm with welcome and sponsors drinks.

Close 1:00 am

Conference Program: