CRESSY farmer and Red Meat Updates Working Group chair Sarah Cole welcomed more than 300 participants to the 10th annual industry forum last Friday – a day of information, reports and first-hand expert knowledge relating to all things applicable to red meat production in Tasmania.
The Launceston Tramsheds auditoriums were packed to hear a diverse range of speakers, and a mini-expo featuring industry service providers and stakeholders was popular in the breaks.
Industry updates were provided by Rabobank Tasmania area manager Stuart Whatling, Meat and Livestock Australia managing director Jason Strong, Rabobank New Zealand head of sustainable business development Blake Holgate and DLF Seeds sales agronomist Heather Cosgriff as well as a strong lineup of experts on irrigated and dryland pasture and beef and sheep production.
There was a strong emphasis on sustainable futures, with speakers like Professor Richard Eckard from the University of Melbourne, Victoria, a science advisor to the Victorian, Australian, New Zealand, UK and EU governments, talking about ways that farmers can better understand their emissions.
He explained who is asking producers to be carbon neutral, what resources and tools are available and how to conduct carbon audits to see if carbon neutrality is achievable.
One of the most popular presenters on the day was Swans Veterinary Services owner and vet Dr Enoch Bergman, from WA, who managed to turn the dry topic of Bovine Pestivirus, or Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) into an informative and at times entertaining speech.
BVD is transmitted almost exclusively by Persistently infected (PI) animals that were exposed to the virus in utero.
He said either the mother herself was a PI, or she met a PI while her unborn calf’s immune system was still developing.
“My aim was to have producers leave understanding more about BVD, how it’s transmitted, propagated, how it can affect their business and the steps needed to improve their outcomes regarding BVD.
“My goal is to let everyone know that everyone is at risk, every year, and that blanket vaccination is not the way to go, but rather targeted testing and strategic vaccination.
“Blood test heifers prior to joining, only vaccinate at-risk groups but do it every year and there will be major savings in vaccination costs.
“Think about biosecurity, especially with pregnant heifers, which is the easiest way to bring PI in.”