TODAY marks the start of the 12-month countdown until the next Beef Australia Expo event is held in Rockhampton.

The nation’s and southern hemisphere’s largest beef industry gathering, Beef 2027 takes place from 2-8 May next year.

Held every three years since Australia’s bicentennial in 1988, next year’s event will be the fourteenth in the series.

The countdown to next year’s week-long event officially starts with launches in Brisbane and Rockhampton next month.

The week-long industry showcase embraces all contributors to the red meat supply chain, from seedstock producers to commercial cattle operators, lotfeeders, live exporters, processors, exporters and others contributing to the production system.

The previous event in 2024 attracted almost 120,000 people ‘through the gate’ over the seven days, and about 46,500 unique visitors when multiple-day visits are factored-in. That number did not include almost 2000 people involved in exhibiting livestock.

The last event attracted some 600 overseas visitors registered from North and South America, Asia, Europe and across the Pacific Islands. Thirty five countries were represented during the week, records show.

Adelaide McDonald

Beef Australia chair Adelaide McDonald said since its beginnings 39 years ago, the Beef Australia Expo had continued to showcase all facets of the  industry to people across the nation and the world.

“The Board of Directors and I are looking forward to welcoming more than 120,000 guests to what is Australia’s greatest festival of all things Beef,” Ms McDonald said.

“Beef Australia is built by people, passion, and legacy. Beef 2027 will be the place where industry connects, shares opportunity and evolves,” she said.

Beef Australia chief executive Simon Irwin said next year’s Expo will again highlight what is new across the beef industry supply chain, while still focussing on everything that makes Australian beef the best in the world – quality, safety and tenderness.

“The 2027 event will feature a focus on the diverse ways beef products are used beyond the traditional steak on a plate and will again host a huge range of social and educational events aimed at both the beef industry and the public,” he said.

Federal agriculture minister Julie Collins said her Government was proud to be backing this iconic Australian event with a $12 million investment.

“Beef 2027 will be another strong showcase of Australia’s incredible beef industry, its people, its products, and the immense contribution it makes to our national economy,” she said.

“Australia’s world leading beef industry has continued to scale new heights and I look forward to next year’s event which promises to be an exciting celebration of this success.”

Queensland primary industries minister Tony Perrett said his government was proud to be partnering with Beef Australia to bring the biggest beef event in the southern hemisphere to the state.

“Beef 2027 will make a significant contribution to the state, and the development of our already strong beef industry. I’ve attended this event since 1991 as a grazier and I’m enormously proud of the event that it has become,” he said.

“I look forward to joining delegates in Rockhampton in 12-months’ time to celebrate the best of Queensland’s beef industry,” Minister Perrett said.

Preparation well underway

Mr Irwin said various event and competition committees were now up and running in preparation for next year’s event.

“Our cattle competition committees are working toward delivering improved events across stud, commercial and carcase competitions. The AMPC National Carcase Competition is open for entries, and preparations for the Stud Cattle Championships and Commercial Cattle Championships are well underway,” he said..

“Committees for our International and Next Gen Programs are also working on next year’s events with the focus being respectively improving international trade outcomes and our Handshakes program and supporting younger people in finding fulfilling careers in the beef industry.”

Trade site offers are in the hands of exhibitors, with the events hundreds of commercial trade exhibits now taking shape.

Sufficient accommodation is always a challenge during each Beef Expo in a city the size of Rockhampton, with some new solutions being explored for next year.

“We are working on some extra accommodation options for the week of the event including spaces for people with goosenecks and caravans to BYO for the week,” Mr Irwin said.

“We are also working with Airbnb to encourage locals to list their homes. Airbnb will be holding some information sessions in June for people in Rockhampton and Yeppoon who are thinking about putting their home up and would like to know more about it. Details on both these initiatives will be out soon,” he said.

Event tickets go on sale in October.

For more information on Beef Australia 2027, click here