BEEF WEEK 2021 - AMIDST A PANDEMIC...

After the strangest of socially-distanced pandemic-plundered years in 2020, Beef 2021 went ahead against the perfect backdrop of high cattle prices, low interest rates and improved seasonal conditions for many. Business was booming, smiles were beaming, spirits were soaring. After a year forced apart, it was the perfect way to bring the industry back together.

 

This is a massive event for Rockhampton with approx 116,000 people attending over the six days, and this is in a year where international guests were unable to fly in to attend.  On the Monday which was the people's day there were almost 32,000 people pass through the gate which is up about 25 per cent on previous years...

In total in excess of 63 tonnes of beef were consumed during the week, that equates to two semi trailer loads of beef and that is without the independent food contractors and retailers.

In total 39 politcians and 12 diplomats and ambassadors made an appearance - including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.  

 It was really notable to see the Prime Minister spend a full 24 hours in Rockhampton during Beef week as it not unusual for Pollies to swoop into a big agricultural event for a whirlwind photo opportunity, but  for a Prime Minister to turn up and simply not leave and still be walking around the ground the following morning with showgoers, a full day later is really worthy of note.  He took in a multitude of events, presenting awards at industry dinners, visiting trade displays, technology exhibits, stud cattle sheds and meeting face to face with industry leaders was very encouraging to the organisers of the event...

Our council made sure that the town was suitably decorated to celebrate this event also with the river bank especially displaying the event..

Our Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said that even without international visitors, the event was "world-class", and has really put Rockhampton on the radar.

The networking and the connections that are made over this week with the industry but also the wider industry around Rockhampton and the region really does, need to go to the Beef Australia committee.

They really have delivered something there that was exceptional and we'll see the benefits of that going on for many, many years  to come...

It seems that each event which is held every three years just gets better and better.  Hopefully next time, we will be able to have international folk fly in for it again..