JBS Australia Pty Limited

We were the proud sponsors of the 2024 RNA Paddock to Palate Competition which is a three-phased competition hosted at the JBS Beef City Feedlot in Toowoomba, comprising of best aggregate weight gain, carcase, and MSA eating quality, giving Australian beef producers the chance to prove the commercial relevance of their cattle.   The competition commenced at the start of the year when cattle were inducted into the feedlot. A field day held at Beef City Feedlot in July saw the winners of the aggregate weight gain portion of the competition announced.   These winning producers were invited to enjoy their award-winning beef at a private dinner on Tuesday August 6th, at JBS partner restaurant; Deery’s Restaurant Steak & Wine.   Once all of the competition entry beef was processed at the JBS Beef City Processing Facility, the carcase and MSA eating quality portion of the competition was judged and announced at the RNA Paddock to Palate Awards on Thursday August 8th.   First time exhibitors, Glenisa Cattle Co, triumphed at the RNA Paddock to Palate competition this year, securing top honours in the class 40, 100-day HGP-free export category.   Champion overall pen was a line of Charolais x crosses out of Brahman crossbred females, exhibited by Greg and Kal Kelly, Juandah Grazing, Guluguba Queensland.   The processed and aged beef is now available for a limited time during the Royal Queensland Show in Queensland, in exclusive venues throughout Australia as competition winning Royal 100 Beef.   This year's competition; the 26th iteration, saw 847 head of cattle entered across various classes, with nearly $55,000 in prize money at stake.

This International Youth Day, we're celebrating the 2024 theme ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development’ by highlighting our innovative VR technology. At the CSU Agricultural Careers Day, students had the opportunity to experience immersive learning with VR headsets, exploring meat processing facilities, boning rooms, and farm environments. This technology helps break down taboos about the meat industry, educates the youth about an industry that is new to them, and paves the way for sustainable development. #InternationalYouthDay #DigitalPathways #SustainableDevelopment #VRTechnology

Last week, Primo Foods celebrated NAIDOC Week – an acknowledgement that recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.   This year’s theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’, honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.   Across our sites, we celebrated the week with local Elders from our communities, participating in a number of activities nationwide. We reflected on the journey, strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our COO, Jamie Eastley, stated; “Primo Foods acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land that we share, and that it is up to each of us to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplaces and lives.”

The PALM Kiribati team proudly celebrated Kiribati's 45th Independence Day, also known as Kainoamata, at the Logan Events Centre, near Brisbane on Saturday, July 13. The 19 workers at Primo’s, Wacol facility in Queensland, are our only Kiribati cohort at JBS Australia. Despite the small number, we are proud to embrace the island country's celebration which featured Kiribati cuisine, traditional dancing, and lively festivities, bringing a taste of home to Brisbane.

To celebrate Solomon Islands Independence Day, team members at our Brooklyn, Chullora, and Wacol sites have organized vibrant cultural displays showcasing traditional dances, the national anthem, and attire. The Solomon Islands High Commissioner was also present at the Brooklyn Solomon Islands Gala Night. JBS Australia is proud to be a part of a celebration filled with joy, learning, and cultural pride.

Earlier in the month our Brooklyn facility in Melbourne was pleased to host the University of Melbourne 2024 Intercollegiate meat judging team on plant. The team was able to spend some quality time with Head MSA Grader Reina Hae Hae. Reina was able to take the team through important MSA specifications including, MSA marbling, meat and fat colour, pH and fat coverage. As well as the tight Great Southern specifications, that make Great Southern consistently high quality. JBS Australia proudly sponsors the Intercollegiate meat judging competition, held in Wagga Wagga every July.

Looking forward to exhibiting at this year’s MetCash expo on the Gold Coast where the team are keen to connect with independent retailers from across the country.   Excited to continue forging relationships with MetCash retailers, we are proud to supply local supermarkets with local product. 

Our Huon Aquaculture business has announced that it will invest $110 million to expand its land-based salmon farming facilities with a new Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) at its Whale Point site, in southern Tasmania. This project highlights Huon’s continuous innovation; pioneering technology and practices which cement the company as a global leader in aquaculture. Huon Aquaculture has proudly operated in Tasmania for over 35 years and currently employs 1000 people, including more than 850 Tasmanians. The $1.3 billion salmon industry is nationally significant, contributing to our nation’s food security and supporting over 5,000 jobs. Huon’s journey began in the picturesque waters of Hideaway Bay, starting as a local fish farming business in the Huon Valley, Tasmania. With a strong sense of community, passion, and care for quality, Huon grew from one pen of fish in 1986, into one of Australia’s leading aquaculture businesses. After proudly growing the company for more than 35 years, Huon became part of the JBS Australia Group in 2021. This acquisition complements JBS’s global diversification strategy into investments in different regions, different animal proteins, value-added products and strong brands.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Hon Jeremiah Manele and his delegation visited JBS Australia’s Primo Foods Wacol site on Monday 24 June, as part of a week-long diplomatic visit to Australia.   The Queensland site was a hive of political diplomacy, with Australian Government officials including from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) also attending the historic event.  Across Primo and JBS Australia there are some 1,200 team members from the Solomon Islands under the Australian Government Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, underscoring the importance of the Prime Minister’s visit.  During the visit, Prime Minister Manele and his delegation witnessed firsthand the contributions of those Solomon Islands workers participating in the PALM scheme. The program provides work opportunities for Pacific islanders in Australia – providing economic support to their home countries while also addressing labour shortages in Australia. Primo Foods' Chief Operating Officer, Jamie Eastley, was pleased to welcome the Prime Minister and his delegation, pointing to the positive impact that the PALM scheme has had on the company and on vital food production.  “Food manufacturing has experienced significant challenges when it comes to labour over the last few years, and together with our local workforce our Soloman Island and other PALM scheme team members play an important role in helping to enable us to deliver high-quality food everyday” said Mr Eastley. “Our Solomon Islands contingent, has played a critical role in helping us weather that storm by not just meeting our labour demands, but our production demands as well. “Our products are sold across Australasia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands (Including the Solomon Islands), so it’s not just about feeding Australia, it’s feeding the wider region. “We’re incredibly proud that the Solomon Islands makes up an important part of our diverse Primo Family, and that we can play a role in providing labour mobility opportunities.” The visit follows recent high-level discussions between Prime Minister Manele and Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong in Honiara, which aimed to strengthen bilateral ties.

To celebrate one year on since the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, JBS Global teamed up with Australian-British chef and TV presenter, John Torode MBE to host an exclusive ‘Taste of Australia’ event at Butcher’s Hall in Farringdon, London. Acclaimed Aussie chef John Torode MBE, known for his TV chef appearances and successful restaurant stints in London and Australia, showcased some delicious Aussie beef and lamb from top JBS product ranges including Great Southern, Great Southern Pinnacle, Little Joe, Red Gum Creek, Queenslander Beef and Aberdeen Black. The event, which was attended by more than 100 people showcased everything JBS Australia currently has to offer the UK and was the first time anyone in the UK has had the opportunity to see and taste all the products in one evening. Learn more about the event and the featured products here: https://lnkd.in/e5-M7aeE