2017 NTCA Conference

The 33rd NTCA AGM and Industry Conference was hosted by the NTCA Top End Branch in Darwin on 30-31 March 2017. The Conference featured the theme 'Positioning for Prosperity' - an important concept for our industry to embrace as we advance towards unprecedented levels of innovation, demand, and growth.

Delegates included northern cattle producers, industry associates and Federal and Territory Government Ministers and representatives, as well as overseas guests. The event program included a number of corporate and social occasions that offered opportunities to partner with the NTCA through sponsorship and endorsement.

The NTCA would like to thank our loyal sponsors, without whom this event would not be what it is today.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

GUEST SPEAKERS

Mr Tom Stockwell - NTCA President

Tom moved to the NT in 1978 to work for the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries after completing an Agricultural Science degree at the University of Queensland. He spent 20 years with the department, working closely with Katherine region cattle producers on research and development projects. In 1987, he bought his own small cattle herd and first property in 1989. In 1994 he and wife Bev bought Sunday Creek Station on the Sturt Plateau, later adding South Birdum Creek Station and Stillwater blocks. Tom & Bev have 3 children- Peta studying Ag Science at UQ Gatton, Brian in Grade 12 and Claire (grade 8) both boarding in Brisbane.

Tom has acted on the NTCA Board as Cattle Council Representative and Katherine Branch Chairman. Previously he was Chair of the North Australia Beef Research Council (1999-2005), board member of the Tropical Savannas CRC under the chairmanship of John Kerin, a member of the NT Pastoral Land Board, and a Founding & Life member of both the Katherine Rugby Union and Brahmans Rugby Club.

Tom was elected President of the NT Cattlemen's Association in 2015.

Hon. Andrew Robb AO

The Hon. Andrew Robb was appointed to the Federal Cabinet as Ministerfor Trade and Investment in 2013. In this role he negotiated free trade agreements with South Korea, Japan and China, as well as the 12 country Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore. Additionally he conducted 85 investment roundtables with 28 countries.

At the NT Cattlemen's Association 2017 Conference the Hon. Andrew Robb illustrated the challenges and opportunities of building beef supply chains into Asia, with a particular focus on China and the significance of building relationships. He also talked about the importance of foreign capital investment in the Northern Beef Industry.

Adolfo Fontes - Rabobank

Mr Fontes is a Senior Research Analyst specialising in the animal protein sector. Before joining Rabobank, he worked for five years as the market intelligence coordinator for a leading international
company in the animal nutrition business. Before this, Adolfo worked in a research institute and in consultancy.

At the 2017 NT Cattlemen's Association Conference Mr Fontes explored the implications for global trade as result of the shift in the geopolitical landscape across the world. He also provided insight into the dynamics of protein demand from a global perspective, with a focus on red meat.

Brazil: Looking for New Business

Dr Phil Holmes - Holmes & Co

Dr Holmes is the principal of Holmes & Company, a NSW based firm providing business advice to corporate and family owned farm businesses throughout Australia. Dr Holmes’ special interests are commercial beef and sheep production, agricultural sustainability, finance, and sensible wealth creation through investing. Dr Holmes is a hard line disciple of the ‘evidence-based’ school of thinking and strives for that approach to dominate debate on Australian agricultural issues.

At the NTCA Conference Dr Holmes analysed Australia’s current cattle market and what it means for producers, and provided a realistic perspective on the state of the industry. He also provided advice on how to capitalise on times of prosperity to ensure the long term viability of Northern Territory pastoral enterprises.

Positioning for Prosperity -Is it a beef boom and will it last?

Jarrod Payne - Kantar Millward Brown

Mr Payne is a Research Psychologist by trade, and works as a quantitative market research & insight specialist with Kantar Millward Brown. Mr Payne has extensive experience across a diverse range of industries and has recently been working with Meat and Livestock Australia to understand how the supply chain is changing, as digital technology transforms how people interact with food.

At the NT Cattlemen's Association Conference in Darwin (31 March 2017) Jarrod shared these insights, along with emerging market trends and fascinating revelations about consumer behaviour now and into the future.

The Digital Consumer of the Future

Andrew Simpson - Meat & Livestock Australia

Mr Simpson is MLA’s International Business Manager for Southern Asia, having previously been the Regional Manager for South East Asia and Greater China. He currently resides in Singapore and remains an integral advocate of demand driven programs for Australia’s live cattle and red meat programs.

Andrew has extensive corporate experience in marketing and sales management and will speak about trade and the demand for Australian red meat in the South East Asian region, with a focus on Australia’s key trading partners Indonesia and Vietnam.

At the 2017 NTCA Conference Andrew focused on political and practical constraints and opportunities for Australian red meat in the South East Asian region with a focus on Australia’s key trading partners Indonesia and Vietnam.

Indonesia & Vietnam - Risks, Opportunities and Tactics

Dr Ross Ainsworth

Dr Ainsworth is a Veterinarian with 40 years of experience in the Australian beef industry. His experience ranges from government and private veterinary practice, cattle station management and the live export industry.

Dr Ainsworth currently lives in Indonesia working throughout the South East Asian region. He is the author of the blog South East Asian Beef Report which has been providing market intelligence on the beef and live cattle markets since December 2013.

Dr Ainsworth spoke at the NT Cattlemen's Association conference in 2017 and delivered his expert and first-hand knowledge of the market and consumer trends of one of the most important economic regions of the world - South East Asia - a pivotel customer of the Northern Territory.

South East Asian Markets

David Harland - FINH

David Harland has been working exclusively with family businesses for almost 25 years. As the Managing Director of FINH, David advises on family governance strategies and implementation, business transitions and succession planning, sourcing capital and finance options.

David has worked with family businesses across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, many of whom have transitioned into and beyond their third generations. He holds both national and international accreditation in the field of family advising and family wealth.

David is a respected commentator and speaker in the family business sector and, at the NTCA 2017 Conference in Darwin (with help from the 2016/17 NTCA Future NTCA group) provided insight into how to begin the journey that is succession.