Aussie and US cattle producers set their priorities together

Cattle producers from Australia and the US have signaled their commitment to work together on priority industry issues. 

Cattle Australia (CA) Chair Garry Edwards and the United States National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President, Mark Eisele, signed a statement of priorities for Australian and American cattle producers at the Rural Press Club Breakfast at Beef 2024 on Thursday. 

“In signing the Joint Statement of Priorities, we are encouraging the Australian and US Governments to join forces in combating devastating foreign animal diseases; promoting sustainable global trade that encourages efficient production practices; and ensuring science-based food safety and marketing regulations of emerging food technologies such as lab-grown proteins,” Mr Edwards said. 

As stewards of approximately 50% of Australia’s land mass and 800 million acres of US wildlife habitat, unique landmarks and crucial ecosystems, respectively, the two organisations are also calling on their governments to recognise the personal stake cattle producers have in protecting the environment. 

“Both the Australian and US beef industries are working hard to meet sustainability goals, and we encourage Government to continue promoting our efficient, science-based technologies and production practices that enable us to produce more beef with less resources,” Mr Edwards said. 

“It is critically important that our governments promote livestock production as an effective tool in land and resource management and a necessity for achieving climate improvement initiatives.” 

Representing more than 175,000 cattle producers and feeders in the US, Mr Eisele said the joint commitment would strengthen the partnership between American and Australian producers, and support the shared effort to educate the public on the benefits of raising cattle. 

“America’s cattle farmers and ranchers stand with Australia’s cattle producers and look forward to being partners in combatting foreign animal diseases, promoting sustainability, and ensuring proper oversight of lab-grown proteins,” Mr Eisele said. 

“As a rancher, I understand the importance of proactively talking about the good work we do in both countries, and we are proud to showcase the significant benefits cattle producers provide to the global population.” 

US markets in the spotlight 

Mr Eisele reported that Australian farmers had been keen to question him about the US beef market and where it was heading during his visit to Rockhampton. 

“We have been experiencing drought, which I know you are painfully aware of,” he said. 

“The question I’ve been getting is what is your cow herd going to do, are you going to expand or contract? 

“I’m not completely sure of the answer. I think we’re going to rebuild but we’re going to rebuild slowly and carefully.” 

He said drought and interest rates were the key factors that would slow the rebuild. 

Interestingly, during his speech Mr Eisele revealed that the average herd size in the US was just 50 head.