The 2019 World Shorthorn Conference was held the 3rd and 4th of October at The Graham Centre, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.

The event was attended each day by over 70 participants, including 25 participants travelling on the World Shorthorn tour.

An impressive lineup of speakers kept the attendees both informed and challenged, with many questions coming from the floor.

Mr. Graham Truscott

Lisa Sharpe, MLA and Graham Truscott, Graham Truscott Consulting started the first morning discussing the Global Picture for the Australian beef industry and the focus of market orientated breeds.

The first session finished with an interesting overview of the Australian dairy industry presented by Sam Leishman, Dairy Australia.

The afternoon rolled onto 2 hours of absolute belief in the Shorthorn breed explained by Montie Soules, CEO American Shorthorn Association, Jake Nicolson, Blackbird Bar & Grill and Joe Walsh, JBS Northern.

Jake Nicolson

Montie discussed the importance of collaboration potential between the US, Canadian and Australian breed associations.

Joe Walsh

Jake Nicolson explained the importance of the Thousand Guineas Brand to his highly awarded restaurant. Joe Walsh continued after Jake to explain the demand for the brand in Asia. The consistency and quality of the product has certainly cemented within the high end restaurant trade and throughout Asia.

The night rolled into a favored dinner of Thousand Guineas beef donated by JBS Northern served with some of the finest local Riverina produce.

The Ruby & Roan Auction was also held and provided an exciting atmosphere to the dinner. Many thanks to Alex Croker, H Francis & Co for his tremendous job as guest auctioneer.

Sale results were:
Live Lots – Top $7,500 Avg $5,100

Right to Flush – Top $9,500 Avg $5,333

Embryos – Top $2,100 Avg $942

Semen – Top $170, Avg $120

Bailey Engle

Ced Wise

Day two started with Bailey Engle, University of Queensland discussing the Genomic applications for the Beef industries future profitability. Bailey was followed by a very entertaining presentation by Ced Wise, Ced Wise Artificial Breeding Services telling some of the many stories he has experienced in his forty years in the industry.

To complete the morning session Wade Shafer, Executive Vice President American Simmental Association and Mahdi Saatchi, Lead Genomicist International Genetics Solutions presented the philosophies and science behind International Genetics Solutions.

Questions for these presenters flied thick and fast.

The afternoon session included presentations from different staff that work at the Graham Research Centre followed by a tour of the facilities that displayed the exceptional work being done Charles Sturt University with the focus of Agriculture.

The event closed with the announcement that the 2021 World Conference will be held in the UK.