Australian’s enjoy some of the best beef in the world thanks to the care and dedication of our farmers to the land and their animals.
The Australian red meat industry is one of the most established and important sectors – injecting $16 billion into the nation’s economy and employing over 172,000 people. The industry takes sustainability very seriously – that is sustainability for the environment, the livelihood of our farmers and Australia’s food supply.
Through Meat & Livestock Australia the red meat industry invests over $7.5 million annually in research and development to further reduce the industry's environmental footprint. A particular area of focus for the industry is to continue to reduce emissions, with a 5.3% reduction in emissions per kilogram of beef produced already achieved since 1990.
Livestock farmers also have an important role to play in reducing Australia's overall emissions profile by managing the soil, trees, grass and native bushland to increase the amount of carbon stored in them.
Australian farming families live and breathe the environment. Their livelihood depends on the long term sustainability of the land and as such they have a vested interest in ensuring that they care for it for today and tomorrow.
Two such farmers are Bill Bray from Victoria and Pip Job from NSW who work hard to not only maintain but improve the environment on their properties.
Read more about what farmers are doing to manage the environment
Bill Bray – Gippsland Victoria
Bill Bray, spent his childhood in metropolitan Melbourne but now has a devoted passion to a life on the land, as a leader in environmental management. Bill was the first Australian farmer to be granted quality assurance accreditation.
Forty years ago, Bill Bray and his family were offered financial incentives to clear land for rural development. Yet to look over the Bray’s stunning property now, with its extensive strips of native vegetation buffering undulating green pastures and sweeping views, it is obvious that agricultural policy and farming practices have turned full circle.
Over the past 20 years, Bill has planted more than 30,000 trees on his 600ha property, has fenced off 10% of his property to protect remnant vegetation and has begun fencing off water courses to establish wetlands for native species.
Bill is one of the founders of the high-quality, grass fed beef brand Enviromeat, which requires that livestock are treated in such a way to minimise stress, ensures no artificial growth hormones are used, the animals must be fed well and the balance between necessary use of fertilisers and drenching and the need to protect the land is carefully monitored. Enviromeat is sold directly to leading butchers in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
The Bray’s are very conscious about protecting native bushland and water ways, recycling farm materials, minimising chemicals, feeding nutrients back into the soil after grazing, reducing erosion and controlling pests and weeds.
Pip Job – Central West, NSW
Currently Pip, at 30 years old is a passionate farmer leading the way in environmental management, devoted mother, driven business woman and diligent student all at once.
Pip is working towards the long term future of her 225ha cattle property, ‘Peedmulla’, through engaging holistic farm management. She puts in long hours as a mother, farmer and business woman well aware that the real benefits of her work will be seen in 50- 100 years time. The Job’s have undergone major and costly regeneration on their property and taken active steps to attract more birds, bats and possums.
Pip is however recognised for her efforts, being named the Individual Landcarer of the Year by her local catchment management authority, an honour she attributes to working alongside her husband Selwyn, and as a project manager for the Little River Landcare Group.
Pip and Selwyn are hopeful that their sons Duncan, 6, and Jack, 4, will bring the Job family into its fifth generation of farmers, focusing on sustainable practices.
Find out more about red meat and the environment