A new AgTech and Innovation hub will be available at Beef Australia, May 2021 | Queensland Country Life | Queensland

Visionary cattleman Ken Coombe, pictured right, with Bubba Hudgins from JD Hudgins, USA, during the opening of Brahman House in Rockhampton in 1981.

Existing and emerging businesses that have a beef industry focused innovation, AgTech product or service are encouraged to apply for an exhibitor space in the Ken Coombe Tech Yards – the new AgTech and Innovation hub at Beef Australia, May 2021.

The Ken Coombe Tech Yards is name in honour of the late Ken Coombe, one of the founders and the original chairman of Beef 88, the inaugural Beef Expo held in Australia’s bicentennial year.

Mr Coombe saw the ‘one-off’ event grow into the southern hemisphere’s largest and best-known beef industry gatherings.

He died in Rockhampton in 2019, aged 87. As he had suffered from dementia over the previous two years, he made one of his last real industry appearances at Beef 2015 in Rockhampton.

This new precinct is a world-first site, featuring a curated display of market-ready and emerging technology and innovations used in the beef supply chain. The Tech Yards will include trade fair booth spaces, demonstration spaces, producer-led panel discussions and “Pitch In The Paddock” – a high profile platform for start-ups to launch and showcase their ideas to the industry and investors.

“We are proud of Beef Australia’s status as the premier beef industry trade show event in the world. It is renowned by the industry as the ‘must attend’ event to witness new innovations, learn about consumer and production trends, see the best stud cattle and forge new business relationships, Beef Australia CEO Ian Mill said.

“The establishment of the Ken Coombe Tech Yards, will ensure people continue to say, ‘I saw it at Beef’ for many more years to come.

“Mr Coombe was visionary in his leadership and an early adopter of technology.

“While the Tech Yards will have a focus on market-ready technology and innovative products, it will also highlight emerging technology.

“By showcasing a blend of what’s available now and what will be available in the future, producers and members of the entire beef supply chain will be able to come to the Tech Yards and invest in a product that will benefit their business.

They’ll also be able to get a first-look at the technological advances that are in development, which will allow them to make long term planning decisions” Mr Mills said.

Exhibitors in the Tech Yards are encouraged to provide attendees with interactive and hands-on demonstrations, in both the indoor booth spaces and the allocated demonstration areas.

“AgTech businesses who want to raise or cement their profile within the beef industry should grasp this opportunity to join what will be a prestigious line-up in the Ken Coombe Tech Yards,” Mr Mills said.

Beef Australia is the premier event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting over 100,000 visitors from throughout Australia and the world, over an action packed week.

It will be held in Rockhampton from May 2-8.