Time for Celebration Says AgForce
AUSTRALIA - AgForce is celebrating excellence in Queensland’s red meat industry and raising awareness about every segment of the industry from production, processing, marketing and consumption through the annual Rabobank Red Meat Awards, for which it is now seeking 2008 nominations.
18 June 2008
2 minute read
AgForce spokesperson Teresa Allen said the red meat awards recognise the entire supply chain from paddock to plate, and include a special Rural Press Red Meat Achiever Award which will be awarded to a lifetime achiever in the sector as determined by the judging panel.
The 2008 awards are open until July 4 and AgForce is urging producers, supply-chain operators and restaurants, whether they are large or small, to apply and gain recognition for their endeavours and in-turn use this recognition to promote their business towards further success.
“Size is no barrier or indicator for success at the awards because last year the beef producer award was won by a relatively small producer doing excellent work with Leucaena while the casual dining award was won by one of the largest and most iconic beef eateries in Brisbane, the Regatta Boatshed.” Ms Allen said.
Libby and Bryant Ussher from Chinchilla won last year’s beef producer award after demonstrating a long-term commitment to environmentally sustainable productivity gains by using innovative Leucaena grazing techniques and sharing their knowledge through industry networks.
“Our winning the 2007 award encourages the little producers and shows that just because we are small players doesn’t mean we aren’t doing good things. The notification the award gave us encourages the little people to keep going, and certainly our bank manager is supportive,” Mr Ussher said.
The Regatta Boatshed restaurant at Toowong won the 2007 Casual Dining Award for its ‘oarsome’ steaks and marketing which has been hugely successful in driving red meat sales to 25 tonnes annually, with about 70 percent of total sales stemming from red-meat menu items.
Regatta manager Andrew Potter said the award was great recognition for the staff and management team because it shows they are moving in the right direction with service, food quality and promotion. “Everyone’s chest was puffed up after the award and that’s good all round because the staff don’t necessarily get the recognition they deserve, so winning the award gives them a boost,” Mr Potter said.
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