2. 2 - Australian Beef Industry
“Platform Agribusiness has the expertise, experience and
integrity to provide a successful partnership”
Hon. Mark Vaile AO (Chairman)
CONTACT
To discuss the Australian beef industry and Platform's
services, please contact:
Rory Whitefield
Managing Director, Platform Agribusiness Pty Limited
ACN 610 329 818
Level 2
87 Wickham Terrace
Spring Hill QLD 4000
m – +61 429 844 484
e – rwhitefield@platformagribusiness.com.au
w – www.platformagribusiness.com.au
3. Australian Beef Industry - 3
“The red meat revolution has begun, driven by rising incomes in developing
countries.”
Industry Megatrends
A red meat protein revolution is occurring, driven by
rising incomes in developing countries. Food security
and food safety are increasingly global concerns. This is
coupled with increasing global food consumption as the
world’s population continues to grow.
These trends, along with Australia’s proximity to Asia
and our stringent food safety and quality assurance
regulations, position Australia as a leading country in
which to invest in beef industry assets.
The Australian beef industry is evolving, with costs and
other pressures, traditional family farms are becoming
less sustainable as standalone operations.
Corporate agriculture, with access to the capital
necessary to develop and aggregate properties, is
becoming more prevalent. This reflects the adage 'scale
is your friend'.
A clear strategy is necessary to acquire good beef
industry assets. This is to minimise risks which
can impact a beef industry asset such as water
insufficiency, pastures and environment, climate, lack
of infrastructure, high transport costs, proximity and
access to markets. Platform Agribusiness finds beef
industry assets with a sound risk profile to minimise
these risks and to suit the investor’s strategy.
Platform Agribusiness
Chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister of
Australia, The Hon. Mark Vaile AO, Platform
Agribusiness has a mandate to select high quality
beef assets to fit a secure and long term strategy for
investors.
A subsidiary, Platform Beef Management
manages these assets with a clear focus on
sustainability and maximising productivity and long
term return on investment.
Our aim is to manage cattle properties as cost
effectively as possible. Our focus is on being a low cost
efficient producer so that our beef is always of the
quality and in sufficient quantity to meet the investor’s
strategy.
Platform Agribusiness:
• works with investors to develop an investment
strategy;
• selects high quality beef assets to implement a
secure and long term strategy for investors; and
• manages these assets for investors.
4. 4 - Australian Beef Industry
Acquiring Assets
Although Australia is renowned for its range of attractive
agricultural opportunities, it can be difficult to access good
quality cattle properties, feedlots and other assets. Many
are for sale off-market.
Platform Agribusiness is always respectful of the owner’s
position when seeking to acquire an asset. By taking
a flexible approach and assisting an owner to become
‘investor ready’, Platform can secure opportunities that
are otherwise not public.
‘‘As a leading producer of quality
red meat, Australia offers excellent
investment opportunities to take
advantage of the growing global red
meat demand.”
Current Projects
Some of our current projects include:
• A vertically integrated beef supply chain called
Capella Beef. Capella Beef is an aggregation of
strategically selected cattle properties to support
a breeding herd backgrounding and fattening
both on grass and in feedlot. Annual turnoff is
approximately 65,000 head. This is an investment
opportunity in the range AU$330 million;
• A high quality feedlot with cropping and pastures
together with a Wagyu breeding herd. This is an
investment opportunity. Details remain confidential.
This is an investment in the range AU$30 million;
• Working with Chinese cattle producers, abattoirs and
beef off takers to develop suitable ways to supply
both Australian beef and live cattle to China; and
• Working with some of Australia’s leading ruminant
nutritionists to develop a form of consistent dietary
fibre for ruminants.
Partnering
Platform Agribusiness is interested in partnering with
investors to secure and manage suitable beef industry
assets on a long term basis. Whether financial investors
or offtakers, we see a key to a successful investment
lies in excellent management. We manage in an open
and transparent manner to the highest standards of
governance.
5. Australian Beef Industry - 5
Remuneration
Platform Agribusiness seeks a management fee that
aligns Platform's performance with value creation for
the investor. Platform Agribusiness is flexible in this
approach and is open to discussing remuneration
options commensurate with the investment.
Typically Platform will seek a base fee, an incentive
fee and an equity fee. The incentive fee is based on
profitability achieved above an agreed base level.
This aligns Platform with the Owner. The equity fee
is measured on a long term basis after a stabilised
valuation of the business can be fairly made. Platform's
fee is based on incremental value increase - again in
alignment with value creation for the Owner.
Platform Beef
Management
Securing a reliable management team with high levels
of integrity and governance is one of the greatest
impediments to investing in Australian agriculture.
Platform Beef Management was founded to provide a
management solution for investors.
As a specialist beef asset manager, the Platform team
provides unrivalled practical and senior management
experience.
6. 6 - Australian Beef Industry
Team
Platform Agribusiness’ team comprises a unique blend of corporate, business and beef industry expertise, underpinned
by years of practical hands-on experience. Our team has worked in agribusiness, particularly the beef industry, across
Australia and overseas.
We have the ability to represent investors at each stage of the investment process from developing a strategy then
sourcing the assets through to management of those assets.
Hon. Mark Vaile AO - Chairman
Mark is the former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the National Party.
Mark continues to own and actively manage cattle properties. He served as one of Australia’s
longest serving Trade Ministers, leading negotiations which resulted in many Free Trade
Agreements now being signed. Mark is a member of the Sino Australia Business Leaders
Forum and sits on the Board of several ASX listed entities.
Philip Christensen - Executive Director
Philip worked as a corporate partner in leading Australian law firms (in Australia and Asia)
for over 30 years before joining Platform Agribusiness. He has served on the Boards of ASX
listed Whitehaven Coal Ltd and Aston Resources Ltd. Philip has been intimately involved in
many significant transactions for multinational companies and has done a great deal of high
profile corporate work. In particular Philip brings strong governance discipline and corporate
experience to the Platform group.
Rory Whitefield - Managing Director
Rory is a cattleman through and through. On leaving school, Rory worked on cattle stations to
experience the cattle industry at its core. He worked on cattle stations and in feedlots for 10
years including as head stockman on the iconic Brunette Downs and South Galway stations.
Rory also worked as a corporate lawyer in one of Australia’s leading law firms for many
years maintaining a focus on agribusiness, the resources sector and corporate transactions
generally.
7. Australian Beef Industry - 7
Geoff Wagstaff - Land and Operations
Geoff has been involved in Australia’s pastoral industry for over 40 years. These roles include
as manager of the iconic Brunette Downs station, through to agribusiness executive roles
and consultancy work. Geoff’s specialty is overseeing the development and management
of large-scale cattle properties. This includes fine tuning herd dynamics to maximise the
volume and quality of beef produced through better genetics and property pasture, water and
infrastructure improvements. Geoff is well known and respected in the beef industry.
Richard Lane – Feedlotting
Richard has been involved in pastoral management and feedlotting for most of his career
including management roles in Australia, North America and Indonesia. Richard has owned a
feedlot and continues to operate his own successful cattle property.
Richard is a cattle backgrounding and feedlot expert. He understands the requirements to
fatten cattle in the most efficient manner. Richard brings significant expertise in optimising
grain mill utilisation and intensive grass feeding.
Rebecca Arnott - Marketing and Business Development
Rebecca has spent the majority of her career in the beef industry. She has had key roles
including Brand Manager for Australian Agricultural Company, CEO of a beef co-op and Beef
Cattle Extension Officer for NSW Department of Primary Industries. Rebecca ran her own
agribusiness marketing and advisory company for several years before joining Platform
Agribusiness. Rebecca is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and was 2004
NSW Rural Woman of the Year.
Other People We Work With
Platform Agribusiness has a broad network of experts with whom we work closely, including:
• Agribusiness professionals and consultants such as veterinary scientists, nutritionists, agronomists, environmentalists,
beef marketing specialists and rural contractors; and
• Investment bankers and financiers, accountants and lawyers.
