Cattle industry too big to rely on too few volunteers

Growing up around these regional towns, you see firsthand how much gets done purely on good will. But when you step back and look at where our beef industry is today, you have to ask yourself a serious question: is it really fair or even smart to keep relying on too few of volunteers to carry the load for an industry of this scale?

That very question was front and centre at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, where Cattle Australia chair Garry Edwards addressed producers at Cattle Connect. His message was clear, timely, and landed right on the mark: it’s time to recognise, value, and properly compensate the people who represent our grassfed beef producers.

Australia’s $22 billion grassfed cattle sector and broader red meat industry approaching $75 billion in economic output is far past the point of treating representation like 'amateur hour'. While volunteerism helped build this powerhouse industry into a world leader, relying on a small pool of generous people to protect our collective interests is as much a vulnerability as it is a strength. If we want genuine, high-level expertise standing up for producers, we need to resource it properly and attract the right minds for the job.

And make no mistake, this industry has plenty to be proud of right now.. This is the result of decades of grit, smart decisions, and relentless hard work from producers and representatives across the country.

You can see that strength reflected right across our nation's saleyards. I'm proud to see New South Wales is leading the charge in transaction growth, jumping 19.8% and 21.6% year-on-year respectively. NSW kept its crown as Australia’s largest state for saleyard transactions, moving a massive 2.17 million head across 27 reported facilities.

Dubbo Regional Livestock Market racked up 313,565 transactions (up 31.8%), while Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange saw a whopping 38.1% surge to 241,244 head. 

Beyond the saleyard numbers, the weather has certainly given us a welcome lift. It’s been fantastic to see the widespread rain falling across so many states over the past few weeks. There’s nothing quite like a good soak to green up the paddocks, lift spirits, and give everyone a boost as we head into the end of the year.

It’s easy to get weighed down by the constant noise, rising input costs, high interest rates, and the general doom and gloom coming out of government decisions that feel out of touch with most of us. But as we approach Christmas, it’s worth tuning out that background noise and focusing on what’s actually going right.

We have a vibrant, growing industry that continues to hit historic benchmarks. Rather than looking at the glass as one percent empty, this is our moment to lean in, collaborate, and fill it right to the top. Whether it's backing initiatives like the Cattle Transaction Levy review to give producers a direct say, or welcoming new board leadership like incoming directors Jane McMillan and Erica Halliday, the momentum is firmly in our hands.

At the end of the day, I love regional Australia and wouldn't trade being part of this industry for anything. We produce the best beef in the world, backed by communities that back each other through thick and thin. It’s time we properly back the people standing up for us, celebrate our wins, and look forward to a bright future ahead.