The Weekly Grill

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

 

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.

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.

 

This week the Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Mick Crowley, Meat & Livestock Australia's general manager for research, development and adoption.

In a wide ranging interview, the pair discuss the prioritisation and allocation of industry funds to R&D, and the industry service delivery company's focus on 'Fewer, bigger, bolder," R&D projects.

They also drill into some of the specific newer research targets, such as the examination of delivery systems for methane inhibiting compounds to cattle being run in extensive paddock applications.

 

This week the Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with Andy Hearnden, executive chef with beef processor Kilcoy Global Foods in Queensland.

Operating from Kilcoy's sparkling new commercial test kitchen located near Caloundra on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Andy (pictured) has become something of a social media sensation, produced a suite of inspiring and motivating video clips encouraging young chefs and keen home cooks to push the boundaries in how they select, prepare and cook red meat cuts.

He currently has 2.7 million followers on Instagram, 2.4 million followers on TikTok, and 1.22 million followers on Youtube.

Andy worked at a number of Melbourne restaurant institutions, including Entrecôte in Melbourne’s CBD and Gill’s Diner. Earlier, the New Zealand native also completed a six-year stint in England working across some of London’s trendiest restaurants in Notting Hill and Shoreditch.

While Kilcoy’s own high quality beef brands are clearly evident in some of the videos, the content is far from brand-specific, and is designed simply to celebrate quality meat in general. Some of his videos have had more than two million views. How has he done it?