Field Days plus News and Events

On Saturday 24th March we attended the North West Goat producers, field day at Woolomin near Tamworth NSW. The speakers were good the demonstrations were interesting and the food was excellent, a very well run informative day. Goat meat – a genuine contender on global markets M.L.A. Newsletter Issue 12: July 2008 Chart and Brochure Several significant developments in the international goat meat market over 2007/08 demonstrate the consolidation of goat meat as a genuine contender in the global meat market. The first of these is the unprecedented reaction within the trade to the brochure and cut chart developed by MLA in response to feedback received from the Goat Meat Industry Marketing Committee. These publications explain why Australian goat meat is the best and safest in the world and have been distributed on request to established markets throughout Australia’s global markets. Importantly, the material is also helping to differentiate goat meat from other competing protein sources, particularly chicken, and will be supported by a regional Australian goat meat trade website currently being developed by MLA's North America regional office. Such has been the demand for these publications, with one major importer ordering 500 copies of each, that a reprint is currently underway. In addition to the demand for the trade support material, business development activities conducted by MLA's North America regional office have resulted in two significant leads which promise to deliver Australian goat meat to customers in the region. Furthermore, MLA’s North America regional office partnered with the Western Australian Government to feature goat meat at an event in Los Angeles and two events in Houston as part of the Australia Week celebrations. These activities are designed to reinforce the position of Australian goat meat in the United States of America market which accounted for about 59.5% of total exports in 2007.

M.L.A. News

Goat meat – a genuine contender on global markets M.L.A. Newsletter Issue 12: July 2008 Chart and Brochure Several significant developments in the international goat meat market over 2007/08 demonstrate the consolidation of goat meat as a genuine contender in the global meat market. The first of these is the unprecedented reaction within the trade to the brochure and cut chart developed by MLA in response to feedback received from the Goat Meat Industry Marketing Committee. These publications explain why Australian goat meat is the best and safest in the world and have been distributed on request to established markets throughout Australia’s global markets. Importantly, the material is also helping to differentiate goat meat from other competing protein sources, particularly chicken, and will be supported by a regional Australian goat meat trade website currently being developed by MLA's North America regional office. Such has been the demand for these publications, with one major importer ordering 500 copies of each, that a reprint is currently underway. In addition to the demand for the trade support material, business development activities conducted by MLA's North America regional office have resulted in two significant leads which promise to deliver Australian goat meat to customers in the region. Furthermore, MLA’s North America regional office partnered with the Western Australian Government to feature goat meat at an event in Los Angeles and two events in Houston as part of the Australia Week celebrations. These activities are designed to reinforce the position of Australian goat meat in the United States of America market which accounted for about 59.5% of total exports in 2007.

M.L.A. News

Goat R&D to adopt an animal welfare focus Issue 12: July 2008 Animal welfare is the new “black” as far as livestock production is concerned and goat production is unlikely to escape the gaze of increasingly discerning consumers and regulators. This issue was identified as one requiring immediate attention through on-farm research and development (R&D) investment during industry consultation in early 2008. The MLA On-Farm R&D Strategic Plan, to be signed off by the goat industry’s Peak Council, the Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA), in July 2008, is likely to address this issue through an increased focus on research and extension addressing animal welfare over coming years. Other issues identified as priorities for industry research include: * Developing and refining environmentally sustainable grazing systems * Increasing and promoting the productivity, economic sustainability and long-term viability of the industry * Extension and communication of R&D outcomes and industry information. Specific programs to address these issues will be developed in consultation with GICA and the strategic plan will then form the basis for all R&D activities until 2011.