Article courtesy of Beef Central.
THE beef industry has cleaned up at the 60th annual Australian Export Awards, with Hancock Agriculture and Mort & Co winning separate sections.
Hancock’s 2GR Wagyu brand took out the agribusiness, food and beverage category and Mort & Co won the regional exporter category. Consolidated Pastoral Co was a finalist in the agriculture category and Darwin-based live exporter Australian Cattle Enterprises emerging exporter finalist.
The 2GR Wagyu brand has seen exponential growth in the 2021-22 financial year, with its exports increasing by 336pc, with more than half of those sales generated from new markets.
Hancock Agriculture CEO Adam Giles said the company had grown exports in the UK, Europe and the west coast of the US, with further markets expected to develop with the organic growth in its herd and production capabilities.
“The 2021–22 year was spectacular for 2GR,” Mr Giles said.
“It was a ‘perfect storm’ where strategic groundwork laid over 18 months combined with excellence in a powerfully branded 2GR Wagyu range. This delivered us significant export success. I can only thank all of our wonderful staff who helped make this happen, plus of course the leadership from our board.
“Exporting is difficult at the start. With a great team from paddock-to-plate, we are now exporting our exceptional product to more than 18 countries to become one of the world’s leading Wagyu producers and exporters.”
Commitment to sustainability
For Mort & Co, the regional export award was for its work in fostering global partnerships and leading a sustainable approach lot feeding.
The company has been running commercial trials of methane-reducing feed additives, looking at technology to reduce days on feed and developed manure pellets with carbon sequestration in mind.
“The complementary businesses that have become part of our meat business are indicative of our respect for the responsibility we have to create a sustainable industry,” executive chairman Charlie Mort said.
“We are proud to be operating a circular economy.”
Mort & Co is hoping to become a billion-dollar-company within four years.
