The document provides information about the Australian beef cattle industry. It discusses the breeds of cattle raised in Australia, how cattle are selected for various traits, and the environmental issues associated with beef production. It notes that farmers use techniques like controlled stocking rates and innovative irrigation methods to manage land use and reduce environmental impacts. The beef industry contributes significantly to the Australian economy through meat and live exports.

2. Hello! I’m Caitlin.
I am here to tell you
a story about …about Creative
Learning… Communication…
…and
about
Australian
beef!

3. We love our steaks, roasts, pies, sausages,
stews, meatballs, tacos and hamburgers!

4. How are
What breeds cattle
of cattle raised?
makes
“Beef”?
What are the
environmental
issues?
Are any
other How many
products cattle feed
made from Sydney every
cattle? day?

5. We have thought a lot about
BEEF production issues!
The Caroline Chisholm College
Agriculture Team raises steers every
year to learn about:
• Cattle selection -Breeding & Genetics
• Cattle physiology
• Nutrition & feeding regimes
• Disease & pest management
• Water & shelter requirements
• Stock transport & Biosecurity
• Abattoir logistics (slaughtering)
• Consumer preferences & marketing
strategies
• Environmental concerns such as
methane emissions, soil degradation,
weeds & biodiversity

6.  There are 48,866 beef cattle properties in
Australia, with a national herd of 28
million head. In total, Australian beef cattle
farmers produce 2.1 million tonnes of beef
and veal each year.
 - Australian Bureau of Statistics, Livestock Products, Australia, June 2010.
 Between 2010 and 2015 adult cattle
processing is forecast to rise by 13%, to
9.5 million head (reaching 2.4 million
tonnes by 2015).
 - Meat & Livestock Australia, Industry Projections, Mid-year update, June 2010.

7.  Australians spend $6.4 billion on beef. In terms of
volume, beef is the second most popular fresh
meat consumed through the food service industry
(after chicken).
 - Meat & Livestock Australia, Fast Facts 2009: Australian Beef Industry.
 Australia exports 927,000 tonnes of beef and veal
in 2009, worth $4.3 billion. The major export
markets for beef and veal are Japan (38%), the
United States (27%) and Korea (12%).
 - Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Red Meat Export Statistics 2010 and
Meat & Livestock Australia, Fast Facts 2009: Australia’s Beef Industry.
 Australian live cattle exports in 2009 were worth
$665.5 million – predominantly exporting to
Indonesia (72%), China (11%) and Israel (3%).
 - Australian Bureau of Statistics, Livestock Products, Australia, June 2010.
 Australia is the second largest beef exporter in the
world (behind Brazil).
 - Meat & Livestock Australia, Fast Facts 2009: Australia’s Beef Industry.

8. Thanks to our Agriculture teachers – who always
think outside the square - we were involved in the
Art4Agriculture Archibull Award in 2011. We wanted
to show how Australian Farmers are actively SOLVING
production, animal welfare, and environmental
PROBLEMS using best practice, targeted research and
development, and advanced technologies.

9. …discussing our
favourite puzzles &
games to align
with the PROBLEM
SOLVING concept.
The iconic Rubiks
Cube just lent
itself to a Bovine
twist, & so
became…
…the
Moobiks Cube.

10. Our concept became an Interactive Artwork
aiming to highlight how Australian Farmers
are SOLVING production, animal welfare, and
environmental PROBLEMS.

12. Dealing with Animal Welfare Pest and Pasture & Feed
Climatic requirements – Disease control Management –
Variability – from the – Biosecurity for crop species
droughts and paddock to the animals, plants selection and
floods abattoir and People stocking rates

13. The beef industry is large and diverse, and beef is
produced under widely varying climatic and
environmental conditions. Beef is produced on
properties that vary in size, management
regimes and enterprise mixes.
Farmers select the breeds of cattle that are best
adapted to the conditions in their region to
maximize production.
Cool climate cattle are European breeds (Bos
taurus) and hot climate cattle breeds come from
Asia (Bos indicus).
Australian farmers hybridise cattle to create high
production, heat tolerant breeds.

14. Cattle are bred for structural strength,
highest muscle yield, best fat distribution,
as well as temperament and mothering
ability (means healthier calves)
Cattle can be cross-bred to mix in desired
traits, or line-bred to maintain breed
quality
Artificial Insemination and embryo transfer
are biotechnologies that speed up the
process of selective breeding

15. From
ancestral
beasts
To amazing
diversity

18. Australian lean beef is an important source of protein, essential
vitamins and minerals, and is more nutrient dense than poultry,
pork or fish. It provides iron, zinc and vitamin B12.
The Australian Healthy Eating Guidelines recommend that lean
beef be consumed 3-4 times per week as part of a healthy
balanced diet.
Are YOU getting enough BEEF?

19. Who needs
Master Chef
when you’ve
got Beef Apps?
Introducing “Beef Essentials Version 1.0.2.”
You can get it on iTunes now!

21. From anti-aging creams and surgical
sutures to chocolate milkshakes and
marshmallows...
…we have injected products from cattle
into nearly every corner of our lives…

22. PRODUCTS FROM PANCREAS
PRODUCTS FROM LIVERS chymotrypsin - contact surgery , diastase (starch
heparin - anti-coagulant, prevents gangrene digestion ), glucagon - treat hypoglycemia ; insulin -
liver extract - treatment of anemia diabetes mellitus, pancreatin , trypsin
intrinsic factor - pernicious anemia PRODUCTS FROM
Vitamin B12 - prevention of B-complex bovine thrombin - OVARIES
deficiencies clotting agent for estrogen
fetal bovine serum blood progesterone
bovine collagen - used - tissue cultures PRODUCTS FROM BLOOD
as injections to fill scars whole serum - plasma protein; albumin - RH factor typing;
bovine fibrinolysin - vaccine Fraction I – hemophilia; Fraction V - kills
ointment for necrotic manufacturing viruses; iron for anemia; thrombin -
tissue coagulant; protein extracts
PRODUCT FROM STOMACHS
pepsin - aid in protein
digestion
PRODUCTS FROM THYROIDS PRODUCTS FROM BONES rennet - aid in milk digestion
bovine thyroid replacement bone marrow - blood disorders
bone meal - calcium and phosphorous
pill capsules - PRODUCTS FROM LUNGS
GELATIN heparin - anti-coagulant, prevents
gangrene
bovine super oxide antibodies
- dismutase cream PRODUCTS FROM ADRENALS
(immunoglobins) cortisone - for arthritis, skin allergies,
Orgotein- cosmetic beef insulin
skin cream to anti-inflammatory medicine
prevent tissue epinephrine - aid in raising blood
aging. pressure, heart disorders, and allergies

23. PRODUCTS FROM PANCREAS
PRODUCTS FROM LIVERS chymotrypsin - contact surgery , diastase (starch
heparin - anti-coagulant, prevents gangrene digestion ), glucagon - treat hypoglycemia ; insulin -
liver extract - treatment of anemia diabetes mellitus, pancreatin , trypsin
intrinsic factor - pernicious anemia PRODUCTS FROM
Vitamin B12 - prevention of B-complex bovine thrombin - OVARIES
deficiencies clotting agent for estrogen
fetal bovine serum blood progesterone
bovine collagen - used - tissue cultures PRODUCTS FROM BLOOD
as injections to fill scars whole serum - plasma protein; albumin - RH factor typing;
bovine fibrinolysin - vaccine Fraction I – hemophilia; Fraction V - kills
ointment for necrotic manufacturing viruses; iron for anemia; thrombin -
tissue coagulant; protein extracts
PRODUCT FROM STOMACHS
pepsin - aid in protein
digestion
PRODUCTS FROM THYROIDS PRODUCTS FROM BONES rennet - aid in milk digestion
bovine thyroid replacement bone marrow - blood disorders
bone meal - calcium and phosphorous
pill capsules - PRODUCTS FROM LUNGS
GELATIN heparin - anti-coagulant, prevents
gangrene
bovine super oxide antibodies
- dismutase cream PRODUCTS FROM ADRENALS
(immunoglobins) cortisone - for arthritis, skin allergies,
Orgotein- cosmetic beef insulin
skin cream to anti-inflammatory medicine
prevent tissue epinephrine - aid in raising blood
aging. pressure, heart disorders, and allergies

25. WHAT???? Jellies,
marshmallows and tablets
are made from cattle????
Gelatin is a protein called a
hydrocolloid and is obtained by the
partial hydrolysis of collagen derived
from the skin, white connective tissue
and bones of animals.
There are no plant sources of gelatin,
and there is no chemical relationship
between gelatin and other materials
referred to as vegetable gelatin, such
as seaweed extracts. It is used to make
jellies, lollies, medicines (tablets), and
is a thickener in most processed food.

29. The Australian Federal Government has initiated
development of National Animal Welfare Standards
and Guidelines for Cattle.
These new Standards (legislated and enforceable =
must) and Guidelines (non-legislative =should)
support cattle welfare at the farm level in Australia,
in transit, and all the way through to processing at
abattoirs.

30. Animal health, welfare and biosecurity are
important at all stages of the livestock production
chain.
Producers have a duty of care to their livestock
and each can have adverse impacts on
productivity and reflect badly on the whole
industry.
Meat & Livestock Australia , and the greater red
meat industry, have implemented measures along
the supply chain to ensure the safety, quality and
integrity of Australian beef.
The National Livestock Inventory Scheme (NLIS) is
an electronic tagging system to track cattle from
“Paddock to Plate” to limit cattle theft, monitor the
well-being of animals, and ensure meat safety for
human consumption.

31. We are lucky in Australia to be surrounded by a huge protective
moat – we are “Girt by Sea”! – it naturally keeps out most pests
and pathogens.
With imports and globalisation comes the risk of bringing in
dangerous bacteria, fungi, moulds, viruses, weeds and insects
that can damage our agricultural production enterprises. We
spend lots of money and time reinforcing Australia’s Biosecurity.

32. Australia supplies
disease-free beef
products to the world!

34. If Australians eat an average 35.7 kg of beef per person, per year
and the population of Sydney on August 31st 2011 is
approximately 4,486,281. (Extrapolated from a population of 4,336,374 on May
15th 2009 and a population of 4,480,729 on July 20th 2011) …then…
4336374 x 35.7 kg = 154808551.8 kg of beef eaten per year
= 424133 kg per day of beef for Sydney
Cattle weighing 300-400 kg are the preferred weight class for
the Sydney market and only 60% of the cow is the meat yield.
Factoring this in means:
350 x 0.6 = 210 kg per cow is the dressed weight
Therefore , 424133 kg per day of beef divided by 210 kg per
head of cattle = 2020 cows per day

36. A review of available literature on the Australian beef
industry has highlighted a number of recurring issues in
environmental management. For grazing stock, the
following issues were highlighted:
 Land management of improved pasture systems, eg.
issues such as the quality, quantity and stability of plant
species within the grazing system;
 Land degradation from soil and water erosion due to
overgrazing and clearing of native vegetation;
 Need for effective management of woody vegetation to
prevent loss of biodiversity and dryland salinity;
 Nutrient management also due to soil loss; and,
 Weed and pest control.

37. A review of available literature on the Australian beef
industry has highlighted a number of recurring issues in
environmental management. For grazing stock, the
following issues were highlighted:
Land management of improved pasture systems, eg.
issues such as the quality, quantity and stability of plant
species within the grazing system;
Land degradation from soil and water erosion due to
overgrazing and clearing of native vegetation;
Need for effective management of woody vegetation to
prevent loss of biodiversity and dryland salinity;
Nutrient management also due to soil loss; and,
Weed and pest control.

38.  There has been considerable growth in
organised land management groups such as
Landcare in recent years.
 These groups address the issues such as land
degradation, water quality, salinity, soil
fertility and feral animal control on a local
basis by working together.
 Farmers are also supported by a network of
organisations in marketing, infrastructure and
research and development – eg. CSIRO, MLA,
and government agencies.

39.  Farmers manage landuse through
controlling animal stocking rates.
 Innovative irrigation and stock
watering methods are used
 Research to reduce cattle methane
production through feed selection
and breeding is lowering CO2
emissions!
 Weed and feral species control is
actually the most costly & time
consuming environmental problem!
 http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/agriculture/beef/index.html

42. When Australians think of
the image of a farmer
they see a worried
person…and when a
person is worried they
may not be thinking
clearly about the future
…and perhaps are not
coming up with positive
solutions. Sometimes
they just want to blame
people.
- Poll highlights public opinion of farmers, ABC radio
transcript, AM - Wednesday, 23 July , 2003 08:25:28
Reporter: Louise Willis

44. Alison is actively involved in the family farming business in Crookwell
Southern NSW, running a stud and commercial Angus cattle operation,
Myanga.
Alison is a great example of the modern, problem-solving farmer- with a
degree in Rural Business and experience in cattle management, Alison also
runs her own business called AJM Livestock Solutions. She provides a variety
of services, consultancy and training to beef producers and uses the latest
technology to capture and manage cattle data. Alison assists other farmers
and stakeholders in the cattle industry to comply with the National
Livestock Identification System.
Alison visited Caroline Chisholm College to share her passion and wisdom
about farming beef cattle in Australia in the 21 st Century, coping with
climate variability, drought, flood and biosecurity issues.
I have a real story to share about agriculture, I am passionate about
agriculture, the beef industry and rural and regional communities, I love
working with people and I love seeing people strive to achieve the things
that they are passionate about.

51. The Beef cattle industry is supported by a network of structures and organisations. These
structures support the industry in areas such as marketing, infrastructure and research and
development. Supportive bodies include peak bodies, government agencies, beef marketing
organisations and R & D institutions. A summary of this structure is presented below.
Links to related web sites:
Ausmeat website
Australian Lot Feeders Association website
Cattle Council of Australia website
Cooperative Research Centre for Cattle and Beef Quality website
Meat and Livestock Australia website
CSIRO Livestock Industries website
Beef Industry Centre (BIC), Armidale
Cattle Council of Australia
Australian Lot Feeders Association
Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
Land and Water Australia

55. Evolution
Flooding Rains
Droughts

56. WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORS OF THE
2011 CREAM OF THE CROP COMPETITION
PLATINUM GOLD SILVER
BRONZE