By HARRY CLARKE
INVARIABLY one of the highlight events at Beef Australia’s triennial industry expo is the CQUniversity Beef Symposium, featuring speakers from diverse, unique and always interesting corners of the cattle industry.
At BEEF 2021 the symposium speakers will focus on the topic of leadership, and how in a constantly changing and volatile world, strong and decisive leadership will the key to boosting agriculture’s resilience.
Below is a profile on each of the speakers and a recorded interview with Dr Frank Mitloehner, a professor from the University of California and expert on how the beef industry can meet the challenges of climate change by minimising the industry’s green house gas emissions.
Tickets for the CQUniversity can be purchased from the official Beef Australia website. It will be held on Monday, May 3, from 7.30am to 1.30pm, followed by a standup networking lunch.
LISTEN: Country Caller interviews Dr Frank Mitloehner
CQ University Symposium speakers
Liz O’Leary
Head of Agriculture, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets division (MIRA), Macquarie Group
“ECONOMY OF BEEF”
As the leader of one of Australia’s largest agricultural funds, there are few more qualified people in the world to provide insight into the future of investment in Australian agriculture.
Liz O’Leary joined Macquarie over 16 years ago and has held a number of senior corporate roles in Australia, Asia and the UK, including as a member of MIRA’s asset management team on several flagship European infrastructure investments.
In 2015, Liz was appointed as the Head of Agriculture for MIRA, one of the world’s leading infrastructure fund managers with growing platforms in agriculture, real estate and energy.
Barry Irvin AM
Executive Chairman, Bega Cheese Limited
‘GOWING THE PIE’
A globally recognised leader of the Australian dairy industry, Barry Irvin will share his powerful story on the growth of Bega from a small regional dairy to a great Australian food company.
When Barry joined the business it operated from a single manufacturing site, produced 3,500 tonne of cheddar cheese, sold only in the domestic market, and employed around 80 people in total. The Bega Cheese group now has domestic and international sales exceeding $1 billion, produces approximately 210,000 tonnes of cheeses & associated products, exports iconic Australian food brands to over 40 countries around the world and employs approximately 1,800 people.
As a thought leader with a proven track record within the dairy industry, Barry’s success will provide further insight as to how the beef industry can best position itself for future success.
Laura Ryan
Founder and Global Chair, Meat Business Women
‘INSIGHTS TO A GLOBAL VISION FOR BEEF’
In Laura Ryan trailblazing role with the Beef and Lamb Board, she led the strategic review and development for the beef and lamb sector in England by identifying key challenges and opportunities to deliver long term growth.
As an internationally recognised leading advocate for our industry’s leadership and diversity, Laura will outline challenges the industry faces and what industry can change and improve whilst maintaining our high standard around our cultural identity in a world outside of Beef. Laura will also expand on how the meat industry is perceived and share insights into the potential for building networking across the globe.
Laura then established the Meat Business Women group in 2015 to help showcase the meat sector as a positive career choice for female talent, whilst also creating networking opportunities for those already working in the sector.
Dr Frank Mitloehner
Professor and Air Quality Specialist, Department of Animal Science, University of California
‘CLIMATE IS BETTER ON BEEF’
A native of Germany, the eminently qualified Dr Frank Mitloehner has a degree in Animal Science, a Masters in Agricultural Engineering (specialising in the environmental impact of livestock) and a PhD on the environmental management of feedlot cattle.
Frank will discuss greenhouse gases, the sustainability of beef cattle production and assess the livestock sector’s carbon neutrality goals. His presentation will explain factors of climate change, livestock impacts and the importance of ruminant livestock in the midst of growing pressures from environmental groups.
He is a globally recognised scientist who conducts research and outreach that is directly relevant to understanding and mitigating air emissions and greenhouse gases from livestock operations, as well as the implications of these emissions for the health and safety of farm workers and neighbouring communities.
