NOVEMBER 13-15 2009 – 2nd NATIONAL ORGANIC CONFERENCE NEW ZEALAND
OBE Beef CEO Simone Tully will provide a key note presentation to the conference.
Conference Theme: “Innovate: Go Organic!” The conference will focus on innovative ways to produce, market, and use organic products. Conference presenters will include leaders in farming, foodservice and business – each bringing their own innovative and surprising perspectives on organics. The conference’s first day is dedicated to the best of pure and applied research, while field trips to successful organic producers provide chances to share information through ‘on farm’ experiences.
http://www.sixhats.co.nz/index.asp?PageID=2145870129
NOVEMBER 2008 – YOUNG BEEF PRODUCERS FORUM
ROMA – QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA
Especially designed for those aged 18-35 in the beef industry, this forum provides educational and networking opportunities to help in all aspects of young people’s lives, both on and off farm. As part of the production segment of the program, Dalene Brook, Export Manager for OBE Beef gave a presentation on the marketing opportunities and challenges in organics.
NOVEMBER 2007 – NATIONAL BEEF INDUSTRY FORUM
ROCKHAMPTON – QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA
Dalene Brook drew on her own experiences, and the experiences of OBE’s 32 shareholders, in her presentation on the ‘marketing opportunities and challenges in organics’ at the National Beef Industry Forum, Paradise Lagoons, on November 21 2007. Dalene’s face lit up when she talked about OBE Beef. Her role with OBE is clearly more than just a job for the 32 year old – it is a challenge she has embraced and an opportunity to play a a part in a company which she believes in.
NOVEMBER 2007 – ALL SOULS ST GABRIELS SCHOOL
CHARTERS TOWERS – QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA
OBE’s Business Development Manager, Dalene Brook, provided an enjoyable summary of her work with OBE Beef to the student’s and their families during their Speech Day held in Charters Towers. Like a number of the students at the school, Dalene grew up in the outback and went to boarding school. From there she travelled around the world before settling in Brisbane in 2004 in her new role with OBE Beef.
SEPTEMBER 2007 – ICPA STATE CONFERENCE
TAMBO – QUEENSLAND – AUSTRALIA
As a shareholder and employee of OBE Beef, Dalene Brook has a vested interest in the success of the company. As a child, Dalene grew up in the outback community of Birdsville and was educated in the tiny Birdsville State School, together with 20 other students. Dalene’s presentation highlighted the importance of outback communities using all of their resources to shift barriers which stand in the way of success.
MAY 2007 – AGRI INVESTMENT FORUM
ROSEBANK RESEARCH STATION – LONGREACH – AUSTRALIA
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries hosted an agri-investment forum at Rosebank Research Station, Longreach on Tuesday 1st May 2007. The Agri Investment Forum’s presentations focused on profitability and investment in Primary Industries in western Queensland and highlighted that investment in Primary Industries is a sound and attractive business opportunity.The guest speakers demonstrated that through good business acumen and the proactive use of a range of tools and services provided by DPI&F and other service providers, western Queensland agricultural businesses can be sustainable and profitable.
Dalene Brook, Business Development Manager, OBE Beef Pty Ltd gave a key-note presentation on her role in the development of organic beef sales through-out Asia. She also shared aspects of the production of one of OBE’s tastiest developments, organic beef burgers. Dalene shared three aspects of OBE Beef’s enterprise which showed that Western Queensland can be the base for a successful international business.
For more information on the Queensland Government Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, please click on the following link;
www.dpi.qld.gov.au
JUNE 2006 – ORGANIC LIVESTOCK CONFERENCE
BALRANALD – AUSTRALIA
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/nsw/content/2006/s1656596.htm
By Kellie Boyce / Meg Strang
Tuesday, 06/06/2006
Interest in organic meat production is increasing with hundreds of graziers at an organic livestock conference in Balranald in the state’s south west this week. Farmers showcased local produce and discussed industry challenges and opportunties.
Almost 300 people made the trip to Balranald, many were farmers already involved in the organics industry and many others were thinking about making the conversion from conventional agriculture. Key note speakers included Simone Tully, General Manager of OBE Organic Beef, a group of cattle producers who’ve been supplying and selling organic meat for more than a decade. Simone Tully warns full organic certification is hard work.
SEPTEMBER 2005 – 15TH IFOAM ORGANIC WORLD CONGRESS
Hosted by NASAA, the 15th IFOAM Organic World Congress was declared an overwhelming success in providing a focus for the future of sustainable systems. In an open declaration, IFOAM called upon governments worldwide to actively endorse and practically support organic agriculture.
David Brook, Chairman of OBE Beef provided a key note presentation during the congress. David lives in the town of Birdsville, located in central Australia. David and his wife Nell, have raised six children. Together, they own and operate pastoral properties in the Channel Country area of the Lake Eyre Basin.
David has been active in local government for the last 30 years including 13 years as Mayor of the Diamantina Shire. In 2002, David received the Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to the community, local government and the establishment of organic beef production in the region.
He is a board member of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and is Chairman of OBE Beef Pty Ltd. He has travelled extensively both domestically and internationally
In his presentation, OBE BEEF Director David Brook described ‘THE OUTBACK EXPERIENCE – Organic Beef Production’.
David provided delegates with an insight into life in Outback Australia. His presentation explained his own families’ personal history and commitment to the development of a sustainable and profitable pastoral company.
David also described the relationship between 20 like-minded producers that has resulted in the production and marketing of certified organic beef under the OBE Beef label.
The production of certified organic beef from the Rangeland’s of Outback Australia is multifaceted. It is more than property certification. Large scale organic beef production involves close and careful consideration of the environment. Large areas are set aside for livestock. There is no intensive grazing. Livestock do not require inputs such as supplementary feeding. Compatibility with other land users, such as pastoralists, the indigenous community and tourists is a necessity.
For more information www.ifoam2005.info
AUGUST 2005 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AGRIBUSINESS SHOWDOWN CONFERENCE
OBE Beef Producer Sharon Oldfield, represented OBE Beef as a guest speaker at the 2005 South Australian Agribusiness Showdown Conference, which was held in Adelaide on Friday, 12th August 2005.
Ms Oldfield participated in a session titled ‘Organics SA: Bringing Organics to the Mainstream’. She discussed her experiences as an organic producer, while focusing on the market opportunities & advantages of organic agriculture.
With South Australia a relatively pristine environment, and a small state, the conference questioned if there is a real Agribusiness opportunity to develop a significant global market niche with organic products or is it simply a cottage industry for ‘Greenies’?
Global growth opportunities indicate that there is potential to generate significant export earnings in the organic market.
JUNE 2004 LAKE EYRE MINISTERIAL FORUM – ALICE SPRINGS – AUSTRALIA
OBE BEEF Producer Sharon Oldfield, attended as a member of the Community Advisory Committee for the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum. Sharon’s commitment to the environment is reflected in her position on many advisory boards to Government Departments. Sharon is committed to facilitating cooperation between stakeholders, ensuring responsible management of the Lake Eyre Basin Catchment.
In late 2003, Sharon also participated in the National Organic Conference, held in Adelaide, Australia. As Key Note speaker she discussed the advantages of considering past land management when planning for the future, and how good land management benefits organic farming.
MARCH 2004 14th WORLD HEREFORD CONFERANCE – ARMIDALE – AUSTRALIA
OBE BEEF Director David Brook and his wife Nell were invited to give a Key Note presentation describing ‘ THE OUTBACK EXPERIENCE – Cattle, Pubs & Tourists’.
David and Nell provided delegates with an insight into life in Outback Australia. Their presentation explained their own families’ personal history and commitment to the development of a sustainable and profitable pastoral company.
David & Nell also described the relationship between 20 like-minded producers that has resulted in the production and marketing of certified organic beef under the OBE Beef label.
Today, OBE producers themselves take part in marketing initiatives on a voluntary basis with fares paid by OBE. The reality of the difficulties in accessing markets or the quality of competing product is best learnt first hand by producers. This message then translates more quickly into improved production, delivery reliability and product quality.
OBE makes a point of encouraging customers to visit them the Channel Country to see the quality of their natural production system and share a beer or a good red afterwards. The producer owned Meat and Livestock Authority and Australian Government, through its Export Market Development Grant scheme, help in sharing some of the travel costs of visitors. They see first hand the magnificent flood plains, which make the Channel Country Beef so special. Hopefully they leave prepared to put OBE organic on their shelves.
David & Nell are examples of OBE Producers passionate about their product. They have seen how a fully certified production chain through to marketing approach has given new meaning to pastoralists in primary production. The organic production of beef gives new hope to next generations. There are now greater career opportunities in what was previously just ‘primary production’ conducted in a remote dusty paddock.
MARCH 2004 INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK CONGRESS – HOUSTON TEXAS
Our Business manager Simone Tully, provided a keynote presentation at the International Livestock Congress held in Houston, Texas in March 2004. Attended by over 250 professionals involved in the global agricultural market, Simone set the scene for organics around the world and then discussed beef’s niche position in this rapidly expanding market.
Simone went on to describe OBE Beef’s emergence as an active and profitable member of Australia’s export community. She described the process of organic certification which has enabled OBE Beef to be recognized and rewarded for responding to consumer concerns about safety, quality and origin.
Simone then went on to describe OBE Beef today:
OBE BEEF producers: Are individuals that are tremendously successful at working in isolation. They are cattlemen and women who know, understand and respect their livestock and their environment.
OBE BEEF supply chain partners: Individuals and companies whose values complement our own, providing a diversity of strategy, change management, people skills, and cohesion that comes from a wider skills/personality base.
Our Environment: The Channel Country is an extraordinary asset for organic production, with its inland river systems including the Diamantina, Georgina, Cooper, Thompson, Bulloo, Paroo and Warrego.
OBE Beef today is the owner of an international brand and a reputation that it is empowered to protect.
