Speaker - Chris Howie, Stockco - Where are the current opportunities in Livestock?

To book a ticket to the FarmTender2023 - The Business of Farming event click here.

Speaker - Chris Howie

About Chris

Chris has 40 years involvement with the Australian Livestock industry. Working as a Shearer and Mutton Boner out of school. Then moving into stock and station agency in 1988.

After 21 years as an agent and 10 years as the National Livestock Manager for Elders, Chris then moved into his current role National Business Development for StockCo 100% Livestock finance.

Chris will part of an interview panel between 11:30 and 12:30. Vic’s topic will be Livestock.

What can we expect from the interview with Chris?

Prices have come off for both Cattle and Sheep. Why is this so?

Put that aside, where do you see the opportunities for Sheep?

Put that aside, where do you see the opportunities for Cattle?

With a big Spring behind us, why do you think many restocks have stayed out of the market?

Where do you think both markets will be in 12 months time?

Is there a point where we have too many Sheep or Cattle for us to handle, or can we just keep growing the Flock or Herd? Are downturns/droughts good for resetting the balance?

What is happening in processor land? Are kill capacities dropping or going up? Are any new processors coming into the market? How will the lack of workers problem play out?

Do you see technology and automation playing a part in the processing sector? Will we ever have an automated kill line?

I, for one, predicted back 10 years ago that agents would be superseded by 2023, but in fact, I reckon the opposite has happened. They have become more important to a Farmer's business than ever before. Do you agree with that? And if so, why?

With your work helping to train young Agents through the Wodonga Tafe course, how much is the Agency game changing? What do you teach these up-and-coming Agents? What will an Agent's role look like in 2033?