The Weekly Grill

In this episode Kerry Lonergan speaks with Paul Holmes a Court of the Heytesbury Group about his company's purchase of Livestock Express’s 11‑ship fleet, the strategic reasons behind the acquisition, and how it supports the northern live export trade and the broader Australian beef In May, Heytesbury took delivery of 11 livestock vessels previously operated by Livestock Express, in a significant transaction that places a major part of Australia’s live export supply chain back into Australian hands. On other topics, Mr Holmes a Court talks about the genetic direction being taken on Heytesbury's Victoria River Downs, in a region where Wagyu bulls are being seen with increasing frequency, the sequence of excellent seasons the VRD region has experienced, and his ongoing confidence in the live export trade. The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by: Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis. Ceres Tags Gen 6

Host Kerry Lonergan reports from the Brisbane Exhibition as the International Charolais Congress brings around 120 delegates and nearly 270 Charolais cattle to the ring. Interviews with Charolais Australia CEO Colin Rex and breeders from Canada, the United States and Europe cover the breed's role as a terminal sire, adaptability to different environments, market demand, rising carcass weights, and advances in genomics and feed efficiency. The episode highlights global networking, strong bull sales, export markets and how Charolais genetics are shaping crossbreeding programs worldwide. The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by: Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis. Ceres Tags Gen 6

In this episode Kerry Lonergan chats with Mike Stevens, principal of Meridian Agriculture and one of Australia’s leading succession planning experts. They discuss why succession planning must start early, why people and family communication come first, and how legal, tax and ownership structures should follow careful family decisions. Mike shares real-life success and failure stories, common mistakes to avoid, and practical steps for rural families to protect farm viability and fairly manage expectations across generations. The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by: Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis. Ceres Tags Gen 6

In this week's episode, podcast host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Professor Derek Bailey, one of the keynote speakers at the 2026 Northern Beef Research Update Conference (NBRUC). Professor Bailey discusses the similarities between US and Australian rangelands (pastures), the role of public-land grazing, and how tracking technology, accelerometers and AI are transforming cattle monitorin. The visiting academic also speaks about engaging cattle producers through on-property research, the importance of record-keeping and monitoring, and broader challenges like public perception of grazing and market drivers behind heavier carcass weights in the US beef industry. The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by: Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis. Ceres Tags Gen 6

In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan talks with processor Paul Gibson, who recently retired after a distinguished 35-year career with Australian Country Choice in Brisbane. Paul's career - most recently as ACC's Research & Development manager - spanned the era from the introduction of Meat Standards Australia grading through to current-day adoption of objective carcase measurement technologies for meat quality and yield - and hundreds of developments in between. In today's episode he reflects on his frontline role in the early days of MSA, now recognised as the world's best beef grading system. He shares the gritty reality of pioneering a science-based eating quality model in the mid-1990s, the early battles fought to make it work with Brahman crossbred cattle, and why he always believed Australia could lead the world in the grading field. Paul was one of the original 12 MSA graders — selected from industry and the ICMJ program to be trained as the very first technologists when MSA launched in 1997, giving him a deep inside view of the system from day one. It's a candid, fascinating conversation with one of the industry's true unsung heroes. Other key takeaways: "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it" — Paul's driving philosophy meant he was often at the plant at midnight collecting data, insisting on rigorous, science-backed, third-party-verified evidence as the only way to make MSA (and later R&D programs) bulletproof and commercially credible. MSA is now entering its third stage of evolution — having moved from implementation, to global commercial adoption, the system now needs to expand beyond palatability to incorporate yield measurements, flavour, texture, and a deeper understanding of marbling's impact on eating quality. In other fields, Paul is passionate about lifting industry professionalism through the next generation — he has invested heavily in mentoring students through the ICMJ program (the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging), believing that embedding young people in science and university networks is the key to the industry making its own decisions, rather than being directed by government. The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by: Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis. Ceres Tags Gen 6

In this week's episode of The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan talks all things AI with Jerome Leray, founder and Managing Director of leading ag tech company, Infarm. InFarm is an Agricultural AI company focused on delivering ground breaking technology to farmers, using state of the art AI and advance technology to develop tools that will help farmers become more efficient, save money or become more profitable. In a wide ranging conversation, the pair discuss: Capturing data to unlock the potential of AI Practical example of how and where Ai is now being used in agriculture How Ai could be applied in genetics Opportunities for Australian ag tech to dominate world wide What farmers can do now to get integrate AI into their farming enterprises ... and more Jerome was awarded the Agricultural Ministers Emerging Leader Award in 2020 and has represented Australia at the Entrepreneurship World Cup. For his contributions to technology and agriculture Jerome received a QLD Community Achievement Award and led InFarm to be awarded the Australian Food and Agribusiness of the Year in 2019. The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by: Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One - the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis. Ceres Tags Gen 6