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New ‘one stop shop’ for MLA products and services

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Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)

New ‘one stop shop’ for MLA products and services

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has today launched a new online catalogue of its products and services that red meat producers and stakeholders can access from one easy location within the myMLA online platform.

The launch of the catalogue coincides with the conclusion of MLA’s Accelerated Adoption Initiative (AAI) and groups MLA’s products and services in user friendly bundles to enable stakeholders to have quick and easy access to what is relevant to them.

It also showcases promotions that MLA is offering, including discounts on several regionally relevant events for MLA members.

MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong, said the new catalogue provides important access for the red meat industry to crucial products and services that enhance producer adoption and build industry prosperity.

“The red meat industry is in fantastic shape, and we are seeing a renewed commitment to delivering transformational change, which comes off the back of unprecedented natural disasters and global challenges,” Mr Strong said.

“If we are to remain world leaders and set ourselves up for the future, we must continue to focus on our adoption efforts, including through the use of available services and tools. With MLA’s AAI now concluded, we have been looking at how we can further bolster our efforts in supporting producers.

“The new online catalogue is free to access through the existing myMLA platform. It is practical, easy to use and will help producers to get on with what they do best – producing some of the finest red meat in the world.”

Accelerated Adoption Initiative draws to a close

Costs for several MLA products and services will be re-introduced from 1 July, following the conclusion of AAI, which was launched in November 2019 with the aim of providing a temporary relief for costs incurred for the delivery of key MLA and Integrity Systems Company (ISC) products and services.

“AAI has been an important program helping facilitate adoption of MLA products and services, but also aiding producers to get back on their feet following the worst conditions ever experienced by Australian agriculture,” Mr Strong said.

“The launch of AAI came at a time where red meat producers were facing severe hardship from drought and other natural disasters. We took the important decision to provide relief to producers through a program where key MLA products and services developed for levy payers would be free of charge until 30 June 2021.

“We are now taking the opportunity to review and refresh how MLA charges for key products and services moving forward and if they can be effectively packaged together to offer cost savings for producers while at the same time building adoption to facilitate practice change and build on-farm productivity.”

From today (1 July 2021), MLA and ISC will be reinstating fees for core integrity services.  Pricing will be:

  • Three-year LPA accreditation/reaccreditation fee ($90 + GST)
  • LPA NVD hard copy books ($55 + GST for 10 forms, $65 + GST for 20 forms)
  • A new combined LPA/MSA Vendor Declaration Book option will be available for MSA registered producers ($55 + GST for 10 LPA NVDs and 10 MSA declarations, $65 + GST for 20 LPA NVDs and 20 MSA declarations).
  • MLA members will receive a 50% discount for BeefUp forums, MeatUp forums and Livestock Advisor Updates.
  • As part of the enhanced MLA/ISC service offering, LPA accredited producers who choose to ‘Go digital with eNVDs’ will receive:
  • Unlimited access to free eNVDs (LPA NVDs, MSA vendor declarations and Animal Health Declarations)
  • $30 off their three-year LPA accreditation/reaccreditation fee
  • Customer support to get going with eNVDs.

ISC will continue to make available an LPA offline reaccreditation pack ($20 + GST) for those producers who are unable to complete their accreditation online.

As Mr Strong explains, the ‘Go digital with eNVDs’ promotion supports industry’s desire to drive greater digital adoption of NVDs and will encourage LPA participants to get on board with the digital option when they join the program or when completing their reaccreditation.

“Driving greater digital adoption of the eNVD is incredibly important,” Mr Strong said.

“eNVDs are free of charge, offer a faster and easier way to complete livestock consignments, is always on the latest version and gives producers the option to complete multiple forms entering the information once.

“There is a price increase for hard copy NVD books – the first in seven years. This incorporates increased expenses associated with hard copy books but also highlights why producers should make the switch to eNVDs.

“ISC is constantly reviewing and upgrading features of the eNVD to make it more user friendly with some exciting developments in the pipeline including complete offline capability and an improved PIC search functionality. In recent months we have seen a significant increase in the rate of eNVD adoption and it’s important we continue that trend.”

myMLA provides a single sign-on to NLIS, LPA, LDL, NVDs and MSA accounts, as well as a localised seven-day weather forecast, customised market information based on livestock species and location, and industry news and local events.

Red meat levy payers can sign up for free to become an MLA member.

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Small business sector, including agriculture, now enduring ACCC priority

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ACCC priority

Small business sector, including agriculture, now enduring ACCC priority

 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently unveiled its compliance and enforcement priorities for the 2024-25 period, marking a significant shift by including protection for small businesses, including agriculture, as a steadfast focus for the first time.

In alignment with its commitment to upholding competition and consumer laws and small business industry codes of conduct, the ACCC is dedicated to ensuring that these safeguards extend to small businesses and the agriculture sector.

Furthermore, the ACCC will prioritise addressing competition, fair trading, consumer protection, and pricing concerns within the supermarket sector, with a specific emphasis on food and groceries during the 2024-25 period.

This renewed emphasis on the supermarket sector arises from notable price hikes observed in food and groceries, coupled with the expressed concerns of Australian consumers and farmers regarding supermarket pricing practices. In response to these concerns, the government issued a directive in January for the ACCC to conduct a comprehensive 12-month price inquiry into competition within the supermarket and grocery sector. This inquiry tasks the ACCC with conducting a detailed examination of supermarket pricing practices and investigating the relationship between wholesale prices, including farmgate prices received by farmers, and retail prices charged by supermarkets to consumers.

Additionally, addressing unfair contract terms in consumer and small business contracts remains a key enforcement priority for the ACCC. The introduction of penalties for unfair contract terms has prompted proactive adjustments by numerous businesses to their standard form agreements.

A concise summary of the ACCC’s priorities for the 2024-25 period is available on the ACCC website at 2024-25 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities.

 

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PROSPECTA UTILITIES STRIKES $8M DEAL FOR WORLD-FIRST TECHNOLOGY

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(L-R) Prospecta Utilities Chief Executive Officer Mark Langdon and GemLife Director and Chief Executive Officer Adrian Puljich - 5G mm wave fixed wireless access network technology

PROSPECTA UTILITIES STRIKES $8M DEAL FOR WORLD-FIRST TECHNOLOGY 

 

A Queensland family that transformed the land lease industry is moving into the communications and renewable energy space, with an $8 million investment in world-first 5G mm wave fixed wireless access network technology.

The Puljich family, behind the 3072-home GemLife and Living Gems portfolios, is bringing the disruptive technology to Australia under its new business, Prospecta Utilities.

Challenging fibre-to-the-premise offerings and traditional telecommunications providers, it will allow non-carriers to establish their own enterprise networks.

Prospecta Utilities has struck a deal with American software and hardware provider Airspan Networks Holdings for the first 500 units of the ground-breaking AIR5G 7200 5G radio technology, a stand-alone solution that can network multiple homes, devices and technologies enabling intelligent cities.

GemLife resorts will be the first in the world to access the new technology, with a pilot of 97 homes at GemLife Tweed Waters in the first quarter of 2024, before it is deployed across all 14,000 existing and future homes across the 30 resorts in the portfolios by 2028.

Prospecta Utilities is also in discussions with developers and asset owners across the multi-residential, retirement, commercial, retail, industrial, agricultural, sports, education and private health spaces to install the new technology, which is available across three offerings to suit various applications.

Prospecta Utilities chief executive officer Mark Langdon said the technology was a game changer in Australia and internationally, offering a future-proof alternative to traditional networks.

“This new technology delivers fast, low-latency and reliable connectivity at speeds up to 2GB per second, while providing a cost-effective solution and future readiness,” he said.

“While traditional fibre services Wi-Fi only, radio networks allow connection to various devices and technologies, redefining the way industries like logistics, warehousing, transportation, agriculture, renewables and manufacturing manage robotics and advanced equipment.

“Its ability to enhance automation and digital transformation improves operational efficiencies and drives growth, with its applications only set to increase as new technologies get up to speed.

“In a fast-evolving technological environment, it is capable of servicing a future that doesn’t yet exist, with innovative businesses investing now poised to have the first-mover advantage.”

(L-R) Prospecta Utilities Chief Executive Officer Mark Langdon and GemLife Director and Chief Executive Officer Adrian Puljich - 5G mm wave fixed wireless access network technology

(L-R) Prospecta Utilities Chief Executive Officer Mark Langdon and GemLife Director and Chief Executive Officer Adrian Puljich

GemLife Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Puljich, said continuous innovation was vital for all businesses operating in the modern environment, including its GemLife and Living Gems resorts.

He said the new technology would ensure a quality experience for its residents and the operational efficiency of the land lease communities.

“We see the opportunity to connect amenities and infrastructure in our own resorts to improve systems and experiences, from irrigation sensors that enhance sustainability by only watering when required to automated buggies to transport residents and a digital concierge and fully integrated energy management,” he said.

“Investing in private enterprise networks future proofs our resorts, meaning our offerings for residents can easily evolve alongside emerging technology, using advancements to enhance lifestyle and well-being.

“In the immediate term, residents will enjoy seamless internet connection to their homes, at a more affordable rate. Connecting each home to this technology is about 40 per cent cheaper than traditional fibre.”

Mr Puljich said the technology would also offer environmental and safety advantages during construction of the resorts, with plans to deploy the network as its 553-home GemLife Moreton Bay resort in South-East Queensland came to life.

“During construction, we’ll be able to use the technology to monitor safety and air quality, by networking individual machinery, tracking UV exposure levels for our workers and dust levels,” he said.

Prospecta Utilities is also making headway in the renewable energy sector, offering customised Virtual Power Plants (VPP) to better utilise solar power, reducing running costs and providing lower electricity bills for homeowners.

That technology has already been rolled-out across several GemLife resorts, which are now up to 90 per cent energy independent while saving residents more than 60 per cent on their power bills.

 

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Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Opening Easter Weekend

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Dr Amy - Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Opening Easter Weekend

 

ADVERTORIAL

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head opens this Easter Weekend to help people suffering with joint and body pain. Dr Amy Rayner is the Principal Chiropractor and owner and hopes to fill the gap in the community for leading edge Chiropractic care.

Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on treatment that includes Chiropractic Adjustments, targeted massage, rehabilitation exercises and home stretches.

After Easter, Dr Amy will be travelling from her home in Goondiwindi, Queensland every fortnight to treat patients on a Sunday and Monday.

“I realised when I came down on my regular visits to spend time with my parents, Ron and Liz who live here, that there were a lot of local people and visitors that were in Evans Head on the weekends. I also know that when you work all week, it’s difficult to find time to attend to your health. So I decided to open my doors every second Sunday 10am – 6pm and Monday 9am – 2pm.”

The clinic is located in the treatment room inside Hair and Beauty by the Beach which is in the main street of Evans Head.

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Advertisement

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head

We sat down with Dr Amy to ask a few questions.

What is a Chiropractic? Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on treatment that includes a  Chiropractic Adjustments, targeted massage, rehabilitation exercises and home stretches.

How does a Chiropractic Adjustment work? The Chiropractor uses their hands to apply a quick, safe and small movement to your joints and this results in reduced pain, easier movement of your body and stronger muscles.

What makes the cracking/ popping sound? Each joint in our body has a surrounding joint capsule that is filled with synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is as slippery as an ice-skate on ice and contains dissolved gas. When an Chiropractic Adjustment is applied to the joint it causes the gas to diffuse out of the capsule and this often makes a cracking or popping sound. This gas then diffuses back into the capsule. It is important to note that it is not that cracking that makes a good Chiropractic Adjustment, but the return to normal glide that give the pain relief.

What if you don’t like the cracking noise? That is ok, you are in charge of your treatment type, and we can do alternative methods such as mobilisations, which are a rhythmic stretching treatment or the use of an instrument such as an activator.

What issues do you treat? I can treat any painful joint in your neck, middle back and lower back and other joints in your arms and legs. I also treat headaches such as migraines and tension headaches.

Do I need an x-ray? Not necessarily and it is certainly not routine to do x-rays on every patient. If you have suffered a car accident at high speed or a sports injury for example, it may be indicated that you have x-ray or other advanced imaging. I can refer for medicare covered plain film x-ray for neck, middle back, low back and pelvis issues as well as DEXA scans for bone density issues or EOS imaging for scoliosis monitoring.

Do you offer any other treatments? Yes, I offer Dry Needling (like acupuncture), sports taping, pre-surgery rehabilitation and post surgery rehabilitation for joint replacement surgery.

Where did you study? I studied a Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic)/ Bachelor Clinical Chiropractic (5 year degree) at Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia

Do you treat babies and children? I do not treat babies or Children under 5 years of age, but I can refer you to a Chiropractor that specialises in babies and children.

Do you treat pregnant women? Yes I can treat and support pregnant women throughout their pregnancy safely.

 

For more Evans Head news, click here.

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