The insights and inspiration CEO Tash Kocks has taken from her recent USA Study Tour with Beef Australia will be instrumental as Aussie Helpers strengthens support of Aussie farmers and farming communities in 2023.
The 13-day itinerary included meeting cattle farmers and industry leaders across Texas and Louisiana and fully immersing in American beef production. Highlights included attending CattleCon (The Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show), meeting with leaders from the Texas Beef Council, Texas Farm Bureau and Louisiana Beef Industry Council, visiting the Beef Centre at Texas A&M University and ST Genetics, and inspecting iconic cattle ranches and innovative production facilities across the two Southern states.
Tash Kocks said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about the challenges and opportunities beef producers faced in America, compare with the Australian beef industry and openly share and exchange ideas across the full gamut of beef production.
“It was great to join a fantastic group of Aussies on the tour—who all came from diverse cattle farming and production backgrounds—and, together with the warm, open and genuine American cattle farmers and industry leaders, made every day an exceptional learning experience.
“Joining the tour opened doors, initiated conversations and sparked ideas that Aussie Helpers can now apply as we strengthen our services and support even more Aussie farmers, farming families and communities,” said Tash.
Tash said she was surprised to learn that advocacy of farmers was more localised in the US than in Australia, which certainly had its advantages in terms of strengthening community pride and maintaining the South’s strong beef history and culture.
“In Australia, we tend to promote and advocate nationally across the industry, which I think this has advanced things like government support, agricultural innovation, and—essentially—our aid initiatives to support farmers when things get tough. However, the US has a much deeper respect and appreciation for its beef farmers—boosted by cowboy pop-culture and most recently thanks to the hit series Yellowstone, which is just palpable.
“I left the US with a real sense that the farmers I met really kept the day-to-day stresses of farming to themselves and are only starting to openly discuss the challenges with support from local churches and community groups. Financial support of farmers is also fragmented and varies state to state. In truly tough times, there is no central, accessible and open source of support for American beef farmers like I’m proud to be part of everyday to support Australian farmers,” said Tash.
Tash said she left the tour with a renewed sense of pride in how farmers were supported in Australia.
“I’m energised for what’s ahead in 2023 as Aussie Helpers strengthens our services and extends our engagement to support even more farmers in need. And, I’m more determined than ever to champion and celebrate Aussie farmers to drive a deeper awareness and appreciation among the broader community,” said Tash.