Livestock shines: Red meat continues to thrive despite troubled year

It’s been a year plagued by drought, bushfire and pandemic. But despite this, the livestock industry has proved resillient in the areas that matter most.

Despite a year plagued by virus and drought, the livestock industry has thrived. Picture: Chloe Smith.

IN a year plagued by a global pandemic and skyrocketing cattle prices, the livestock industry is sitting pretty.

That’s according to Meat & Livestock Australia managing director Jason Strong, speaking with The Weekly Times ahead of Thursday’s annual general meeting.

Mr Strong said the livestock industry’s ability to not only survive but prosper was testament to the resilience of the industry.

“It’s been an interesting year; we’ve come off the back of these hits, drought, flood, fire and ­pandemic,” Mr Strong said.

“It’s very easy for people to be incredibly negative or pessimistic … the overriding macro position of the industry is incredibly positive.”

Mr Strong said the outbreak of African Swine Fever in China, which has pulled about 40m tonnes of protein from the global supply, was a key factor driving red meat demand this year.

“There’s a massive global deficit of protein, but also an increase in affluence across the world; and in key markets such as Asia,” Mr Strong said.

The AGM — to be held online because of the COVID-19 pandemic — will announce the election of three producer representative to the MLA board selection committee.

The three nominees for cattle producer represen­tative are Daniel Radel, Peta Collett and Michael Decman.

The nominee for the sheep producer position is Mark Wootton and for the lot feeder position is Tony Fitzgerald.

Other agenda items include the financial, director’s and auditor’s ­reports.

MORE

NEW NORMAL: LIVESTOCK PRICES CONTINUE TO SURGE

BIDEN BEEF: HOW THE PRESIDENT-ELECT COULD BOOST AUSSIE MEAT PROSPECTS