With Australia Day looming, Meat and Livestock Australia would be hoping that we all chuck a lamb chop on the barbie.
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Personally, I have never been over the top about Australia Day.
Yes, I have stopped and been so thankful for the life we are able to lead - particularly compared to nearly every country in the world.
However, the continued attacks and stupid remarks that have been made about the date have pushed me into participating mode.
Now there's a push to consider kangaroo meat on our founding day.
In Victoria, the government has sent an email to shooters stating "harvesting kangaroos for human consumption (in addition to pet food) and the interstate sales of harvested animals will be permitted under the program starting in January 2021".
"The Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan 2021-23 is now recognised under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as a Developmental Wildlife Trade Operation. This allows the international export of kangaroo products from this program."
This year, an estimated 40,000 kangaroos have found their way into pet food.
It's being reported the current quote of almost 60,000 will rise to 90,000.
An industry spokesperson has claimed that kangaroo is the meat of the future.
Demand has risen for kangaroo meat in the face of burgeoning beef prices, particularly in the pet food industry.
Anyhow, I have a flag and it is going up a pole on the 26th.
WRONG INFO
Positivity is the order of the day, with booming cattle and sheep prices and most areas having good seasons.
However, the reporting of annual sales has had a few inconsistencies.
Calves are highly unlikely to be "weaners" if they are 11 months old.
Yes, they are weaned, however they are nearly yearlings.
Also, quoting the per-kilogram rate for heifers is far removed from reality.
A good buyer would be assessing an offering for growth for age, conformation, the breeder and genetics.
With the abundance of feed already in the paddock and full dams, they are going to cost little to feed.
The future, even in Australia, will centre around genetics, medium-framed cattle with high feed conversion rates.
This is where the pig and poultry industries leave beef and lamb production for dead.
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