A new series of one-day technical workshops is being launched to equip livestock advisors and professional extension consultants with the latest regionally relevant information to address key issues and opportunities for their red meat producer clients.
With workshops across northern, southern and western Australia, Livestock Advisor Updates are being supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and coordinated by Macquarie Franklin.
Registrations are now open for the inaugural southern Livestock Advisor Updates workshop in Sydney on Wednesday, 21 August.
MLA Program Manager – Adoption, David Packer, said the one-day workshops provide opportunities for livestock advisors to learn about the latest red meat research and development, gain skills, tools and knowledge to increase their offering to clients, and network with peers.
“Livestock advisors throughout Australia play a vital role in supporting red meat producers in many decision-making processes and delivering industry extension programs to help build productivity and profitability,” Mr Packer said.
“The Livestock Advisor Updates project team has worked closely with a technical working group to deliver these events to livestock advisors. Each regional event has a dedicated group to ensure the content is regionally relevant and identifies the right speakers.”
Mr Packer said the Livestock Advisor Updates are open to individuals involved in the red meat industry in advisory or influencer roles including consultants, veterinarians, sales representatives, researchers, NRM facilitators, livestock agents, departmental staff and farming systems groups.
Topics and speakers for the Sydney workshop include:
- Profitable Grazing Systems overview – Jason Lynch, Macquarie Franklin, Devonport, Tasmania with Piers Dumaresq, Mt Ireh Estate, Longford, Tasmania.
- Unlocking the secrets to meaningful forecasting – Alister Hawksford, Bureau of Meteorology, Canberra.
- Designing effective strategies to manage increased climate variability – Basil Doonan, Macquarie Franklin, Devonport, Tasmania and John Francis, Holmes Sackett, Wagga Wagga NSW.
- ASKBILL – forecasts to assist sheep management decisions – Lucinda Hogan, University of New England, Armidale NSW.
- Genetic profiling tools for commercial sheep and beef producers – Tom Granleese, University of New England, Armidale NSW and Caris Jones, MLA, Perth.
- Condition score recommendations for maternal flocks – John Young, Farming Systems Analysis, Denmark, WA.
The southern Livestock Advisor Updates workshop will be held at Stamford Plaza Hotel, Sydney Airport, on 21 August from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Cost is $100 per person, including catering and workshop booklet.
Following the Sydney workshop, livestock advisors and professional extension consultants are invited to participate in an Agricultural Advisor Fundamentals professional development day on 22 August at the same venue, presented by MLA’s Profitable Grazing Systems and The Right Mind.
The training will cover a range of areas including how to become intuitive at connecting with prospective clients and understanding their wants and needs; understand coaching; overcoming barriers to practice change; negotiating tough or complex situations; and managing difficult conversations.
The Agricultural Advisor Fundamentals professional development day is from 8.30am to 5pm, and cost is $100 per person. The training is not restricted to Profitable Grazing Systems deliverers.
To register for the southern Livestock Advisor Updates or the Agricultural Advisor Fundamentals professional development day, visit:
