Following the success of the 2018 Intensive Ag Conference, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise is hosting Protein 2020, bringing the intensive beef, pork, poultry and dairy sectors with the view to share best practice, advocate for common policy change and allow collaboration across the sectors.

The Protein 2020 Conference in Dalby on March 4 will discuss the future needs and availability of water for intensive animal industries, the threats and opportunities of African Swine Fever, industry updates and key investments and the brightest new innovation assisting our protein sectors.

The following day will feature a site tour of Mort & Co’s Grassdale, followed by a networking dinner.

A recent extension has expanded the feedlot to a one-time operating capacity to 70,000 Standard Cattle Units, positioning it as the largest in Australia.

TSBE Food Leaders Australia General Manager, Bruce McConnel, said with Queensland as Australia’s largest producer and exporter of beef, this event is a must attend of industry participants.”

“Queensland’s agricultural industry is a major contributor to the state’s economy, worth an estimated $16.9 billion in 2014-15 and has the third largest food processing industry in Australia.”

“Of this $13.3 billion was farm gate with value added products contributing $3.6 billion. The Protein 2020 Conference will showcase the many advantages that see continued strong investment in the beef, pork, poultry and dairy sectors,” Mr McConnel said.

One of the event guest speakers is the Executive Director of the Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment at University of Southern Queensland, Gavin Ash.

Mr Ash is responsible for leading the new One Basin CRC bid, jointly between USQ and the University of Melbourne.  Mr Ash will be speaking on the Murray Darling Basin Management and its current and future impacts on Intensive Animal Industries.

Protein 2020 will be held at the Dalby Events Centre on Wednesday, March 4 to Thursday, March 5.

The fill program and a link to purchase tickets is available on the TSBE website – www.tsbe.com.au