Rural Awareness Tour
Cattle Council’s annual Rural Awareness Tour (RAT) provides government officials and key industry stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of federal policies affecting beef cattle producers with an on-the-ground understanding of the beef cattle industry and the affects of government policy.
Over 130 senior decision-makers have participated since the first ‘RAT’ in 1991, increasing their awareness of this strong and dynamic industry and developing a comprehensive network with people on the tour (industry stakeholders, government officials, Cattle Council staff) and associated industries at the grass-roots level.
RAT 2010 13-17 September - Queensland
A total of 12 participants from the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic
Development and Innovation and Meat & Livestock Australia swapped
their offices for the paddock over one week to take a closer look at the
issues facing beef producers on the ground.
Government officials engaged in open and frank discussions with beef
producers, processors, agents and sale yard operators, transporters,
exporters, retailers and research scientists from across Queensland to
better understand the dynamics of the industry and how Government
policy can influence industry productivity and profitability.
The tour covered many of the areas where industry and government
collaborate, such as environmental management and sustainability,
research and development, infrastructure, food safety, animal health and welfare
and biosecurity.
Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic
Development and Innovation and Meat & Livestock Australia swapped
their offices for the paddock over one week to take a closer look at the
issues facing beef producers on the ground.
Government officials engaged in open and frank discussions with beef
producers, processors, agents and sale yard operators, transporters,
exporters, retailers and research scientists from across Queensland to
better understand the dynamics of the industry and how Government
policy can influence industry productivity and profitability.
The tour covered many of the areas where industry and government
collaborate, such as environmental management and sustainability,
research and development, infrastructure, food safety, animal health and welfare
and biosecurity.
"Access to the various operators involved in all areas of the beef supply chain ensured continued enthusiasm and learning from participants," Justin MacDonnell, Central Queensland Beef Producer, Cattle Council Councillor and 2010 RAT leader said.
RAT 2009 October - New South Wales
In 2009, Cattle Council lead 12 participants throughout NSW touring Knights Meats, Charles Sturt University, Cargills abattoir, Wagga Wagga, Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange, Bathurst, Sevenbardot Poll Hereford stud, Bylong, NSW Farmer of the year property, Michael O'Brien’s Angus commercial herd, Walgett, Rangers Valley Feedlot, Glen Innes, Beef CRC, Armidale, Livecorp, Coles new concept supermarket store and gourmet butcher, and Sanger Meats, Sydney.
“It was an action packed RAT taking participants through the red meat supply chain from paddock to plate,” Sam Gunn, Chairman of NSW Young Farmers committee, Cattle Council Councillor and this year’s RAT host.
BlueDog workwear proud sponsor of RAT 2009 Cattle Council shirts
Poets Corner winery proud sponsor of Murrumbo BBQ, Oct 13 2009
Poets Corner winery proud sponsor of Murrumbo BBQ, Oct 13 2009
If you believe your organisation could benefit from participating or hosting the 'RAT' please contact Heidi Dennis, Media and Communications Officer, 02 6273 3688 to discuss.
