DAF staff recognised at Northern Beef Research Update Conference
The triennial Northern Beef Research Update Conference (NBRUC), hosted by the North Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC), was held in Brisbane on 19–22 August. The fifth NBRUC in 12 years continued to draw participants from across Australia and internationally. Over 370 delegates (producers, researchers, extension staff, private consultants, funders and students) attended to network, learn and share their work in beef cattle research and management.
Joe Rolfe, Principal Beef Extension Officer (Mareeba), was presented with the 2019 NABRC Communicator/Extension medal by NABRC chairman Dr Lee Fitzpatrick who said, “Through a 29 year career with the Department, Joe has excelled in the extension field and shown dedication and commitment to the northern beef industry. Joe’s leadership and knowledge of industry needs, combined with an ability to form lasting relationships with funding bodies has ensured the beef team have delivered to industry. Joe empowers producers, work colleagues, friends and community groups through his active listening, caring, valuing everyone’s input and striving for continuous improvement.”
Dr Rob Dixon, a Senior Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, a partnership between the University of Queensland and DAF, received the 2019 NABRC Scientist/Researcher medal. This was in recognition for his contribution to northern beef industry research and development, specifically in the field of ruminant nutrition and his ability to focus on developing better practical solutions for industry problems.
Kylie Hopkins, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Rockhampton, won the NBRUC 2019 award for best Soapbox presentation within the Animal Welfare, Nutrition and Genetics category. Kylie presented the results of an on-farm trial in central Queensland to determine the effect of compensatory gain on productivity and profitability of grazing weaners on oats.
Gabrielle Penna also won the NBRUC 2019 award for best Soapbox presentation within the Building Human Capability for a Sustainable Industry/Agritech and Smart Farming/Farming Systems category. Gabrielle’s presentation was about benchmarking to improve long-term carrying capacity estimates for extensive grazing properties in Queensland.
Beef producer awards were presented to well respected cattleman, Ross Peatling, who won the Producer Medal, and Ben McGlynn, manager of Rocklands Station, who took out the NABRC Young Achiever Medal.
NABRC is an alliance of beef producers, research, development and extension providers and funders operating across the Northern Territory, Queensland, and the Pilbara and Kimberly regions of Western Australia. It provides a forum to identify priority issues facing the north Australian beef industry, establishes strategic and project-based partnerships, and promotes priority issues for addressing by RD&E providers.
NABRC medals recognise people who have achieved excellence in the fields of production, research and development and communication/extension in north Australia.