The Weekly Grill

S5 Ep16: Prof Alison Van Eenaammen - the new frontier of cattle genetics DNA and biotechnology

IN today's episode podcast, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with up with US animal genetics expert and award winning ag communicator Professor Alison Van Eenaammen. Prof Van Eenennaam is a distinguished Professor of Cooperative Extension in the field of Animal Genomics and Biotechnology in the Department of Animal Science at  the University of California, Davis where she has been on faculty for over 20 years.

She spoke at the recent World Angus Congress in Brisbane on the opportunities and challenges for DNA and biotechnology in the beef industry.

 

 

 

 

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S5 Ep15: Dr. Frank Mitloener - insights on methane emissions from livestock operations

IN today’s episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Dr Frank Mitloehner, in a deep-dive into the beef industry’s climate impact, the importance of accurate accounting methodologies and why the livestock

“If we continue to reduce methane emissions in livestock sectors, whether through better grazing and forage, genetics, or tools coming online such as feed additives, livestock can be part of a climate solution. There aren’t many sectors that can say that,” he told the recent World Angus Forum.

Rather than being wrongly cast as a climate villain, Prof Mitloehner presented an opportunity for the livestock industry to be part of the climate solution.

“Farmers and graziers are stewards of the land and have been for generations. Stewardship is sometimes called sustainability, but regardless of the term, it’s part of the make-up of agriculture to manage the environment responsibly,” he said. “If we can reduce methane emissions from livestock, which we have, we can reduce warming by absorbing some of the excess greenhouse gases being emitted by industry.”

 

 

 

 

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S5 Ep14: Certified Angus Beef president, John Stika

IN today’s episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with John Stika, president and CEO of Certified Angus Beef, the world’s largest branded beef program. Over the last 47 years CAB has grown into a red meat marketing colossus, grading around six million cattle each year producing beef sold into dozens of countries worldwide.

But it hasn’t always been easy, going within a single vote of being cancelled in its formative years before the program turned a profit.

S5 Ep13: World Angus Forum delegates on genetic progress in methane reduction

IN today's episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Angus cattle producers attending the World Angus Congress in Brisbane.

Genetic selection of cattle for lower methane, sustainability and consumer attitudes to climate issues were common themes throughout the two-day event.

In this podcast, Angus cattlemen and women from across Australia and overseas give their views on how genetic selection for low methane might unfold in coming years. Will it be driven by pull-through from beef brand programs wishing to make carbon/methane claims? Will price signals be necessary for bull breeders to add methane to the already long list of traits they select for? 

Next week: Global livestock emissions crusader Frank Mitloener, who spoke this week at the World Angus Forum.

 

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S5 Ep12: Dairy beef prospects growing: is it an under-utilised resource?

In today's episode podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Dairy Australia's Sustainable Animal Care Manager Dr Andy Hancock, on progress in beef production from dairy calves.

 

Dairy Australia, the industry equivalent of MLA, is seeking beef industry input into the project called Calfways – a contraction of Calf Pathways. Developed over the past 18 months, the project originates from a dairy industry policy to ensure all dairy calves enter a valued market chain by 2035, with no on-farm euthanasia of viable calves.

To achieve the industry objectives, the project is aiming to input 300,000 to 400,000 extra animals per year into the beef supply chain.

 

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S5 Ep11: Nutritionist Anneline Padaychee on where red meat sits in a healthy diet

In today's episode Kerry Lonergan catches up with prominent nutritionist and food scientist Dr Anneline Padayachee.

Anneline is a strong advocate for the role of red meat in a balanced diet, and the broader role of food production and nutrition science in improving public health.

She is one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming World Angus Forum being staged in Brisbane on 7-8 May.

Beyond weight loss and disease treatment, Anneline views nutrition as fundamental to cellular health, growth, aging, disease prevention, and overall functioning.

With a PhD in nutritional food science and extensive experience in industry, research, and academia, Anneline provides independent scientific advice to a range of different clients and industry bodies. She is recognised nationally for her expertise and contributions to the field, holds positions in various professional organisations and has received awards for her work including being named Australia’s number one science communicator and one of the nations’ Top-50 cutting edge female scientists for her ability to translate science for industry and community.

 

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S5 Ep10: April market update with Chris Howie & Matthew Dalgleish

With sweeping tariff changes in the US, dramatic currency movements, floods and widespread late summer rain in pastoral areas of QLD and NSW, there was a lot to talk about in the latest Weekly Grill markets update podcast with regular commentators Chris Howie and Matt Dalgleish.

In today’s episode Kerry Lonergan catches up with the pair on US President Trump’s evolving tariff negotiations and the implications for China, the knock-on affects for Australia and other international markets, and how this affects the local cattle and sheep markets.

 

In other news the trio discuss:

• Media mis-reporting of beef prices
• The current market and the impact of the droughts in the south and floods in the north
• Livestock figures
• Record prices for mutton
• Predictions for the next quarter
• And more

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to you by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One, the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.

 

S5 Ep9: Australian Livestock & Rural Transporters Assn president Gerard Johnson

As part of Beef Central's Top 25 Livestock Transporters feature running this month (click here to access) Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week chats to Gerard Johnson, president of the Australian Livestock & Rural Transporters Association.

The pair discuss some of the big issues being faced by the livestock transport industry, including regulatory matters, driver access, cost-to-operate, and road condition and access.

The Top 25 Transporters feature coincides with today's ALRTA annual conference being staged in Canberra, being attended by Beef Central's James Nason, along with about 200 delegates from across the nation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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S5 Ep8: Aussie butchers heading to Paris for World Butchers' Challenge

Five gun Australian retail butchers are competing in the World Butchers' Challenge taking place in Paris France this weekend. Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan talks with team captain, South Australian butcher, Luke Leyson about this unique competition, and Australia's chances among the 24 nations competing. 

Kerry and Luke discuss the Australian team's chances at the prestigious international event.

The podcast covers:

• Australia's previous performances at the event
• How the team prepares
• Our greatest rivals
• The competitions' format 
• What the judges are looking for and how the winner is adjudicated

They also talk about the shape of Australia's retail butchering business, value-adding, the rise of pre-prepared meals, staffing issues... and more.

 

 

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S5 Ep7: US Tariff scenarios with Simon Quilty, plus MLA's red meat projections with Stephen Bignell

In this week's episode, Kerry Lonergan discusses possible US Tariff scenarios with global meat trader and analyst, Simon Quilty from market intelligence firm, Global AgriTrends. Then attention turns to MLA's three year projections as Kerry chats with MLA's Market Information Manager, Stephen Bignell. 

 

Simon Quilty, Global Agribusiness

• Possible US Tariff implications

• The economic factors the US should be taking into account

• Best case scenario for Australia’s beef industry

• Should there be a different tariff for grinding meat Vs quality beef cuts?

• America lamb markets

• Alternative export markets for grinding meat

• The US traceability system

• Biosecurity issues

 

 

Stephen Bignell, MLA Manager - Market Information

 

• MLA Market Projections for the next 3 years

• Boxed beef markets: Indonesia and Vietnam 

• China - what are they buying?

• The Middle Eastern high-end market

• Carcase weights - producing more with less

• The Live trade outlook

• Local cold storage limitations