Paddock to Plate Using Unique Virtual Reality Technology

March 4, 2019 / Country Heart Spark / 2 Comments

Australian’s have become more interested in where and how their food is actually produced and processed. Now there is a unique roadshow, bringing farm production and the red meat supply chain, direct to students.

The “Paddock to Plate” concept has emerged all over the nation over the last several years. Through education, the “Paddock to Plate” movement places an emphasis on the quality and sustainability of Australian grown food products.

The way we engage with food has changed. Customers want to know where their food has been grown and how it has been produced right along the supply chain. As a farmer, it is rewarding to see that people not only care about the food that they buy… but they care about the growers and farmers. We are fortunate as Australians, to have access to high-quality, clean, safe and nutritious food. Australian farmers produce 93% of Australia’s daily domestic food supply, making us the 6^th most food secure nation.

Australian Good Meat is an online platform created by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) on behalf of the red meat and livestock industry. It provides information about the production of cattle, sheep and goats, with a primary focus on animal welfare, health, nutrition and protecting the environment. Good Meat allows producers to demonstrate their commitment to red meat production and their high-quality produce as an important part of a healthy balanced diet.

Last month was the start of the launch of the Think Digital School Tour… the Australian Lamb Paddock to Plate roadshow, heading off on a 3-month journey to educate school students across our nation. It uses engaging 360-degree 3-dimensional virtual reality technology, allowing students to experience real farming tasks and understand the supply chain. It is a unique opportunity to put on a virtual reality headset and experience lamb production from the comfort of their truly unique coach.

It shows how Australia produces the world’s most sought-after Lamb, from the farmer through to the consumer. The unique experience takes participants into the world of Australian sheep farming, transportation, processing and the end markets, such as butchers and restaurants. This really is a great concept making it very relevant to food production today.

This is similar to the Australian Beef Paddock to Plate story that was launched in 2017 at EKKA Brisbane (Royal Queensland Show) and then showcased throughout 2018. This roadshow focused on telling the story of Australian beef production using the same engaging virtual reality resources. It allows students an experience that would normally be restricted due to occupational work health and safety standards on the farm and in processing establishments.

The “Paddock to Plate” platform engages people at a grass-roots level… consumers and producers. New ventures are promoting sustainable agriculture and have allowed for Australian foods to be showcased across our many regions. This technology is opening up the farm gate for consumers to see first hand the importance of producing such high-quality food for our nation.

Take care, Karen.

Video Credit: YouTube / Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) / Australian Good Meat.

“Technology will not replace great teachers

but technology in the hands of great teachers

can be transformational.”

~ George Couros

National Agriculture Day Nurtured But Revelations Exposed

November 21, 2018November 21, 2018 / Country Heart Spark / 1 Comment

Have you eaten today? Are you wearing something comfortable? Did you put on some perfume or cosmetics this morning? Thank you to our farmers, they are working hard every day… so we can eat and don’t need to run around naked. (Scary thought huh!) Today we celebrate.

It is my purpose to help you understand the direct relationship between food and agriculture, and the importance of food and fibre in our culture. What you will find surprising in my blog is the revelation that, the extra products manufactured from raw agricultural products… and we use these items every single day. What are they?

Today is the day to formally acknowledge Agriculture and the significant contribution that Australian farming and the agricultural related industries are making to ensure our nation is food secure and satisfying our community needs. Nutritious Australian grown food and produce assures us of high eating quality, safe and affordable foods. Food safety standards are in place to regularly monitor farming businesses to ensure our food supply continues to be safe and suitable for eating.

Farmers are feeding a hungry world, caring for the environment and creating important jobs in rural communities. Through technological advancements and innovation, farmers are becoming more sustainable in quality and quantity and able to feed more people. Not only are we provided with quality and healthy food products, we are also able to wear clothing made by our Australian-produced superior fibres like wool and cotton.

Wool is the textile fibre produced most commonly from sheep and Australia is one of the largest wool producers, producing about 25% of the global wool clip. Merino sheep produce the finest wool. Wool is a natural fibre with unique breathable but insulating qualities. Wool is used in a vast array of clothing, from underwear to luxury suits. Wool is also produced from other animals such as cashmere and mohair from goats, and angora from rabbits. Some wool is also used to manufacture carpets, bedding and quilts.

Cotton is both a food and fibre product and almost all parts of the cotton plant are used in some way. We use less land to produce more cotton than any other nation and the most water-efficient cotton producer globally. Cotton is a soft, absorbent, non-allergenic and a breathable natural fibre. About 60% of the world’s cotton harvest is used to make clothing. The rest is used in home furnishings and industrial products such as tents, fishnets, book-binding, paper for bank notes, bandages, cotton buds and x-rays.

Cottonseed is mainly used to make cottonseed oil, margarine and salad dressings. But it also is used in the manufacture of soap, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, rubber, paint and candles. Cottonseed is also used to make stock feed which has been used excessively in the current drought, making it more difficult to meet the demand.

The Cattle industry is the largest farming sector in Australian agriculture, accounting for approximately 55% of all farms. Although Australia is a smaller producer of beef, we are the second largest exporter of beef in the world. We produce both grass and grain-fed beef. Beef quality is determined by the size of the beef cuts produced from an animal and the marbling of the beef. Australian beef cattle farmers produce 2.1 million tonnes of beef and veal each year, which is safe and of high-quality due to our industry standards.

Not only do we get to enjoy mouth-watering steaks and a variety of delicious beef products, many other products are also made from the cattle industry. This is why the beef industry is so important (even if you do not eat much beef) as the manufacturing of other products makes it a very versatile industry. Examples of other products include medicines, dyes, inks, adhesives, plastics, pet food, plant food, photo film, wallpaper, plywood, air filters, brushes, felt, insulation, plaster, textiles, fertiliser, charcoal, tennis racquet strings, hormones, vitamins, cosmetics, chewing gum, detergents, deodorant, shaving cream, perfume, lotions, paints, lubricants, biodiesel, cement, chalk, fireworks, matches and shampoo. So yes, everyone is using some of these products every single day, thank you to the beef cattle industry.

Farmers are producing many agricultural commodities each and every day… wheat, grains, dairy, wine, sugar, horticulture products, fruit, vegetables, fish, pork, chicken, sheep and lamb, the list seems endless. In Australia, 385,000 hectares are dedicated to farming land to produce our primary agricultural products. Agriculture does make our world a better place.

So next time you are warm in your woolen jacket or wearing your comfortable cotton panties… give the farmer a second thought!

Next time you bite into your hamburger… please acknowledge the many hours that farmers gave, to provide you with a flavoursome experience of a nourishing beef patty, sizzling onions, crisp lettuce, tasty tomato, all held together on a bun enticed by our wheat farmers.

Every time you chew and taste a tender steak with a glass of wine… recognise how lucky we are to enjoy delicious, nutritious and top-quality food in our country.

Tonight when you shower… remind yourself that our agricultural industry helped me to wash my hair, lather myself with soap and apply our anti-aging moisturiser.

And on New Year’s Eve or at the Show… enjoy those fireworks, with a sense of appreciation to our farmers.

Today, we celebrate how agriculture makes our nation a better place.

For more information about National Agriculture Day see https://www.agday.org.au/

Take care, Karen.

“Farmers don’t just work til the sun goes down,

They work til the job gets done.”

~ Author Unknown

Hardy Hereford Beef is the Boss

November 19, 2018November 19, 2018 / Country Heart Spark / Leave a comment

Hereford cattle are renowned for their docility or quiet temperament. But they will also give you excellent feed conversion, hardiness, good fertility traits, easy calving ability and outstanding growth. These whiteface cattle provide high performance in the beef industry with excellent meat quality and marbling. The new brand of “Hereford Boss” beef products, grass-fed and a result of consumer demand… lets us taste the difference.

Originating from Herefordshire in south-west England, the british breed of cattle were imported to Australia in 1826 and a year later to mainland Australia. Further importations in the 1840’s is where it all began.

Hereford cattle are found across Australia in all extremes of environment due to their adaptability. The hereford has the ability to perform well on a wide range of pastoral conditions, still retaining its good fertility, docility and a top-quality carcase. The impact of drought on hereford cattle has proved their hardiness and fertility traits.

Their distinctive white face tends to dominate when crossed with all other breeds and was probably the feature, as the popularity of the breed was established. Hereford and hereford cross weaners still seem to have the most efficient weight gain for age conversion.

Hereford beef has long been recognised for its superb eating qualities. It is very exciting to have the new “Hereford Boss” brand, the most tender and flavoursome beef product produced in Australia and in the top 10% of all MSA graded beef. “Hereford Boss” is uniquely grass-fed for life and the most natural beef product available.

The “Hereford Boss” program was developed in consultation with cattle producers, processors and most importantly the end users – consumers. The program and grading gives consumers the confidence that the eating quality of the breed is consistent. For more information on Hereford Boss and to taste the difference, click here.

Beef is good for you and it provides nutrients like zinc, iron, protein and B vitamins. Plus half the fat found in beef is monounsaturated, the same healthy-heart fats found in avocadoes. Just remember to save our beef industry and eat more beef!

Take care, Karen.

“7 Days without beef makes one weak”

~ Author Unknown