The Weekly Grill

S2 Ep38 - MLA’s Corporate Chef Sam Burke

MLA’s corporate chef Sam Burke has an infectious enthusiasm for all things red meat, and the endless possibilities in how best to enjoy it when cooking a quick mid-week meal for the family, or a long weekend lunch with friends out of the smoker.

 

Any reader who has attended one of MLA's big industry events has probably heard Sam speak, or indeed eaten his some of his great food.

In this extensive Weekly Grill interview with host Kerry Lonergan, the larger-than-life character looks at the changing needs of red meat consumers as the world continues its recovery after COVID lockdowns; how lesser known cuts have gained considerable traction with food service and retail customers; how techniques like seam cutting are lifting carcase value; and the presence of plant-based meat substitutes in the market.

 

S2 Ep37: Downs lotfeeder David Brown, and BeefEX attendees

The Weekly Grill headed to the feedlot industry's BeefEX conference in Brisbane last week, catching up with Darling Downs lotfeeder David Brown for an extended chat on the present challenges and opportunities in lotfeeding, plus a series of 'vox pop' responses from other lotfeeders attending the conference.

David, a trained veterinarian who owns and operates the West Talgai feedlot near Allora, represents the smaller end of Australian feedlot operators, basing his business around a long-term supermarket supply contract. The pair discuss current challenges including high feeder cattle and grain prices and how smaller-scale feedlots work, in an industry sector dominated by some giants.

S2 Ep36: The changing face of the ag finance sector, with NAB’s Khan Horne

Against a background of rising interest rates and international political uncertainty, agricultural financiers remain optimistic about lending in the Australian agriculture space, the Weekly Grill podcast host, Kerry Lonergan learned this week. In this episode, Kerry speaks with National Australia Bank's Khan Horne, who has monitored the industry's fortunes over 30 years.

 

The pair discuss the outlook for beef next year, the rise in interest in sustainability-driven lending practices, what affect the rise of interest rate will have, prices of rural properties, cyber crime, labour shortages, and what impact a 10pc drop in cattle prices might have on the market.

 

S2 Ep35: McDonald’s global head of beef procurement, Andrew Brazier

Global burger restaurant giant McDonald's has withstood the effects of the COVID pandemic better than many in the food service industry, with trade volumes well up this year in many countries. It has made the supply challenge ever greater for McDonald's global head of procurement, Andrew Brazier, even greater, he told the Weekly Grill's Kerry Lonergan in an interview yesterday at BeefEX 2022.

The pair discuss the outlook for beef supply next year, McDonald's changing approach to servicing customers through its 39,000 restaurants worldwide, and other challenges.

S2 Ep34: Cattle market update, with Chris Howie & Matt Dalgleish

The looming impact of the US drought on global beef supply and demand over the next two years is a key focus in today's Weekly Grill podcast cattle and beef market update with Ep3's Matt Dalgleish and Stockco's Chris Howie.

The pair discuss the outlook for cattle prices and supply heading into what is shaping up as a wet, wet start to the summer grass growing season, live export prospects as boat cattle prices start to rise and other points.

S2 Ep33: Aussie agtech innovations - Farmbot and Optiweigh

Australian agriculture has always punched above its weight in terms of delivering world class inventions to improve farming and livestock efficiency – and therefore profits.

In today's episode of The Weekly Grill you’ll hear about two more all-Australian technologies which are fast proving themselves here and now their inventors have their sights set on overseas markets.

S2 Ep 32: Water and dam construction advocate, John Cotter

Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns the heat up on water and dam construction advocate and managing director of Bowen River Utilities, John Cotter.

His company is backing the huge Urannah Dam proposal near Bowen in North Queensland, pitching it as a combined agricultural irrigation and hydro electricity green energy  project.

What will it take to get the project over the line?

S2 EP31: Australian Cattle Vets president, Tracy Sullivan

Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week points the microphone towards the president of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians Association, Dr Tracy Sullivan.

From her remote practise in Broome, WA, Tracy represents cattle vets across the country under the ACV banner.

 

In a wide ranging discussion, the pair explore the historic launch this week of the ambitious Immune Ready vaccination program (click here to view earlier article), the challenges in attracting young vets to work in the bush; the pros and cons of layman preg-testing and other topics.

 

S2 Ep 30: Independent meat & livestock analyst Simon Quilty

Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week points the microphone towards independent meat and livestock industry analyst and consultant, Simon Quilty.

 

In a wide ranging discussion, the pair chat about prospects for improvement in China market access, the impact that the US drought will have on Australia's beef fortunes heading into 2023, cattle market direction, Foot & Mouth Disease and other topics.

S2 Ep 29: Genetics innovator Tom Bull

Forget tradition and focus on profitability. That's one of the key messages from livestock and genetics industry innovator, Tom Bull, who sits down with The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week for a chat.

The high profile Holbrook, NSW lamb genetics provider is a regular speaker at beef industry gatherings across the country, providing an 'outsiders perspective' on approaches to genetic and business development.

In their discussion today, the pair touch on the progress in marbling in lamb and what high-end lamb consumers are looking for, progress in lamb lotfeeding, the potential for greater lamb exports into the US, and future opportunities in Europe for red meat, under new Free Trade Agreements.