2026年Cattle Connect行业大会汇聚业内人士，共同探寻澳洲牛肉产业更高产、更盈利的发展方向，澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会（MLA）在会上分享最新研究成果、行业洞察与实操建议。

本次活动由澳大利亚肉牛协会主办，在沃加沃加的查尔斯特大学举办，为期两天，吸引约300名参会者。

现场互动演示展示了现代技术与更优胴体利用方案如何提升牧场生产效率与出肉率；专题分享则围绕科研、投资、行业监管及其他产业热点议题展开探讨。

本次活动一大亮点是价值导向营销专题圆桌论坛，由澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会价值链落地事业部总经理道格·麦克尼科尔主持。

协会代表迈克尔·李、近藤美穗、戴夫·帕克一同参与讨论，围绕胴体出肉率测算与经营策略展开交流，探讨养殖户如何依托更完善的胴体价值数据开展生产管理决策，在整条供应链中获取更高收益。

座谈同时介绍了MLA旗下SMARTBEEF等项目的设计思路。

该项目由MLA与阿德莱德大学合作推进，助力西澳养殖户借助客观预测数据，指导配产、营养调控与良种选育工作，契合市场规格要求，实现出肉率最大化。

另一广受好评的环节是现场烹饪演示，由澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会产品业务发展经理、首席主厨山姆·伯克与杰西·哈普库主厨联袂呈现。

二人展示了多款在赛百味、古斯曼伊戈麦斯、Thung Thit等头部餐饮品牌走红的牛肉部位，示范了肩胛短肋排与肋间肉作为高端肉品的应用潜力。

Thung Thit的和牛慢炖短肋排越南三明治售价58澳元，是澳大利亚售价最高的款；古斯曼伊戈麦斯推出全新烧烤牛肋排内馅，为该品牌五年来首款新馅料，恰逢品牌创立20周年。

澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会凭借部位选品、分割工艺及烹饪创新方面的专业能力，为上述菜品研发提供支持。

后续，协会将持续挖掘餐饮渠道机会，推广澳洲牛肉，拉动市场需求、提升产品价值。

大会第二天，总经理迈克尔·克劳利介绍了行业征缴资金如何投入MLA各项目，用以提升生产效率、增强产业韧性、拉动牛肉消费。

迈克尔与威尔·埃文斯、埃丽卡·哈利迪、加里·爱德华兹、詹姆斯·卡特等业内人士开展圆桌研讨，探讨厄尔尼诺现象等新兴压力，以及土地复水这类可帮助养殖户管控风险、提升抗风险能力的创新方案。

整场讨论传递出积极的主基调：尽管挑战仍存，但各类创新举措与新机遇，让行业有充足理由保持信心。

Cattle Connect大会虽已落幕，另一场行业重磅活动即将启幕。

2026年澳大利亚肉类与畜牧业协会年度报告会将于11月24日在汤斯维尔举办。

这场单日活动将汇报协会《2030战略规划》的推进情况，研讨影响澳大利亚肉牛、绵羊与山羊产业未来的机遇与挑战。

对养殖户而言，本次报告会可直面行业专家交流提问、结识同行，获取可落地的实操建议助力经营。

消息来源：MLA

Cattle Connect 2026 brought the industry together to explore a more productive and profitable future for Australian beef, with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) sharing its latest research, insights and practical advice.

Hosted at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga, the Cattle Australia-led event attracted around 300 attendees over two days.

Interactive demonstrations showcased how modern technologies and better carcase utilisation can improve on-farm efficiency and yield, while insightful talks explored research, investment, regulation and other issues shaping industry.

Value-based marketing

A highlight was the value-based marketing panel, facilitated by MLA’s Group Manager Value Chain Adoption, Doug McNicholl.

MLA representatives Michael Lee, Miho Kondo and Dave Packer joined Doug to discuss carcase yield measurement and strategy, including how producers can use better information about carcase value to make management decisions and capture greater value through the supply chain.

The discussion also highlighted the thinking behind MLA initiatives such as SMARTBEEF.

Through a collaboration with the University of Adelaide, the project is helping WA producers use objective forecasting data to inform decisions about calving, nutrition and genetics, with the aim of meeting market specifications and maximising yield.

The cuts making waves in foodservice

Another crowd favourite was a live cooking demonstration from MLA’s Product Business Development Manager and Corporate Chef Sam Burke and chef Jessie Hapuku.

The pair showcased cuts gaining traction across leading foodservice businesses, including Subway, Guzman y Gomez and Thung Thit, demonstrating the potential of chuck short rib and intercostals as premium proteins.

Thung Thit’s banh mi featuring slow-cooked Wagyu short rib has become Australia’s most expensive at $58, while Guzman y Gomez’s new BBQ beef rib filling is its first new filling in five years and coincides with the chain’s 20th anniversary.

MLA supported the development of these menu offerings through expertise in cut selection, butchery, and cooking innovation.

Looking ahead, MLA will continue to explore foodservice opportunities that showcase Australian beef and help drive demand and value.

Innovation driving a positive outlook

On day two, Managing Director Michael Crowley outlined how levy investments are being used across MLA programs to support productivity, build resilience and encourage beef consumption.

Michael joined industry peers Will Evans, Erica Halliday, Garry Edwards and James Carter for a panel discussion exploring both emerging pressures, including El Niño, and innovations such as landscape rehydration that can help producers manage risk and strengthen resilience.

The overarching message was optimistic: while challenges remain, innovation and emerging opportunities are giving the industry plenty of reasons for confidence.

Looking ahead

While Cattle Connect has wrapped up, another major industry event is just around the corner.

MLA Updates 2026 will be held in Townsville on 24 November.

The one-day event will provide an update on MLA's progress against Strategic Plan 2030 and explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of Australia's cattle, sheep and goat sectors.

For producers, MLA Updates is an opportunity to hear directly from industry specialists, ask questions, connect with other producers and take away practical insights to support their business.

Source：MLA