The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has initiated an innovative twilight forum to be hosted by Pardoo Station in the Pilbara, to provide industry stakeholders with an update on the Northern Beef Development (NBD) project.
Department regional director Rob Cossart said the inaugural twilight forum was designed to engage one-on-one with beef industry stakeholders at a local level and keep them updated on relevant department activities and opportunities.
“An update will be provided on the refocused NBD project, which aims to boost productivity and capture more value to create a stronger, more profitable beef industry to meet growing demand,” he said.
“The project is part of the department’s integrated approach to building a stronger agriculture and food sector in WA’s north to support local job growth and economic prosperity for regional communities.”
Mr Cossart said forum participants would hear about valuable benchmarking data the department team had collected and knowledge from Business Improvement Grant (BIG) recipients.
“An overview of benchmarking data from part one of the BIG project will be shared, in addition to insights from business improvements implemented across the Kimberley and Pilbara as part of part two – anything that could benefit other pastoralists,” he said.
“Guest speaker and veterinarian Kevin Bell will give a presentation on grazing irrigated Rhodes grass pastures.
“Pardoo Station chief executive officer Brett Blanchett will speak on economical insights into stand and graze systems through the Business Improvements Program.”
Mr Cossart said the inaugural twilight forum would highlight the success of the BIG program for Pardoo Station, outlined in the online Testimonial book [1], and demonstrate industry’s support of the program.
“We have taken the feedback from pastoralists about their hosting events locally and their wish for more face-to-face interactions with our staff.
“We are really pleased to provide opportunities such as the twilight forum, which allows for more meaningful discussion.”
The BIG twilight forum will be held in the Pilbara today, Tuesday 19 June, from 4pm to 6pm.
Media contacts: Jodie Thomson/Dionne Tindale, DPIRD media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937