Mackay Beef Producers Gather For Second Annual Elders Expo

31 August 2026, AU: Hosted by the Elders Mackay team, the event brought together a diverse program of industry experts, practical demonstrations and networking opportunities, with a strong focus on helping local producers strengthen their businesses while supporting the future of the beef industry.

The all-day event featured presentations on Australian and global beef markets, succession planning, financial management, soil and pasture health, livestock production and emerging technologies. Attendees also had the opportunity to connect with exhibitors, hear from a Women in Agriculture panel, watch the Junior Cattle Classic and attend the inaugural Elders Young Auctioneers Showcase.

Retail Sales Manager Eilysh Evans said the decision to bring the event back for a second year was driven by the response to the inaugural Expo.

“The positive feedback from our customers, suppliers and exhibitors after the inaugural event made the decision easy,” Eilysh said.

“The Expo provides a valuable opportunity to bring education, industry knowledge and practical information back to our local community, and we were excited to build on that success again this year.”

A key attraction was the appearance of leading global analyst Simon Quilty, a contributor to Elders’ Livestock Now platform, who shared his insights on domestic and international beef market trends.

Elders Mackay Branch Manager Geoff Sutton said providing local producers with access to high-calibre industry expertise was one of the event’s major strengths.

“Having someone of Simon Quilty’s calibre share his insights and outlook on Australian and global beef markets is a fantastic opportunity for producers in our region,” Geoff said.

“Bringing that level of knowledge directly to local producers is something we’re proud to offer.”

Innovation was also a major focus, with Vytelle delivering a live reproductive technology demonstration that gave producers a firsthand look at advances in cattle genetics and breeding technologies.

“A key objective of the Expo has always been to expose producers to new technology and emerging innovations within the beef industry,” Geoff said.

“The live reproductive technology demonstration gave attendees the opportunity to see cutting-edge genetics technology firsthand, and the level of engagement throughout the session was outstanding.”

Throughout the day, speakers explored practical topics ranging from pasture improvement and soil health to succession planning and business management, providing insights producers could take back and apply within their own operations.

Developing future industry leaders was another key theme of the Expo, highlighted through the Junior Cattle Classic and the inaugural Elders Young Auctioneers Showcase.

“The next generation will shape the future of our industry,” Eilysh said.

“Initiatives like the Junior Cattle Classic and Young Auctioneers Showcase provide valuable opportunities for young people to develop their skills, build confidence and strengthen their connection to agriculture.”

The strong turnout and positive feedback from attendees reinforced the value of creating opportunities for education, innovation and connection within regional communities.

“We welcomed more than 200 attendees and many were already asking when the next Expo will be held,” Eilysh said.

“It’s encouraging to see how much value producers are taking from an event focused on learning, connection and industry development.”

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