TECHNOLOGY came to the aid of one of the most informative events in the livestock industry.
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Each year the Graham Centre for Innovation, based in Wagga, hosts the livestock forum.
This industry event, which has been running for 12 years, serves to provide the latest industry information, research and development and on-farm case studies.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions meant that the long-standing event was run by using an online platform this year.
In all the forum featured 21 speakers and there were hundreds of registered participants.
On the actual day 151 people registered. This was followed up by an additional 100 people who registered to watch the forum at a later date.
Those who logged in were able to interact by asking questions in a sidebar and there were also platforms for a forum-style discussion with lots of topics on the table.
Graham Centre livestock systems research pathway leader, Charles Sturt University Associate Professor Marta Hernandez-Jover, said this is the first time the event had been held online.
"It was great to be able to work with a local contractor, Adam Bannister Event Productions, to make the most of the digital experience and share our research more widely," she said.
Meanwhile, the forum certainly didn't shy away from the tough issues affecting the livestock industry.
Researcher Erin Stranks shared her insights and firmly believes there are shared values between vegans and livestock producers and a far better way forward than the antagonism that was in full flight last year.
Ms Stranks said when she tells people her area of research, she is immediately asked if she is a vegan.
Her answer: "I'm a keen omnivore with a curious nature" and therein lies a key element to the veganism movement that livestock producers should take on board.
Consumer curiosity around how, by whom, and where food is produced is opening doors for vegan culture to challenge views around consumption of meat and the use of animal products.
By understanding vegan culture, and the shifts around meat consumption that are taking place among consumers, livestock producers can facilitate positive and productive conversations for change and innovation, Ms Stranks said.
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