Once the mainstay of western Queensland, the ongoing renaissance of sheep in the economy has been set in stone thanks to $4 million in grants announced on Monday to support a new state government blueprint for sheep and goat investment.
Speaking from Ilfracombe where the government's latest regional community forum was taking place, Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said $4m over two years would be available through Rural Agricultural Development grants.
They will fund measures that complement existing cluster fencing to help grow the sheep industry in western and southern Queensland.
"Enterprises will be looking for opportunities to leverage off the protection that cluster fencing provides, as well as the industry-developed Sheep and Goat Blueprint and Sheepmeat Investment Strategy," he said.
"These will be co-contribution grants of up to $200,000 for sheep and wool agribusinesses wanting to start 'shovel-ready' projects that create jobs for value-added primary production and provide significant economic benefits to rural and regional communities."
Ilfracombe grazier Peter Thomas, who hosted the announcement at Beaconsfield Station, welcomed any well thought-out plan that would increase demand for their product.
Predominantly Merino sheep breeders, sheep sales are a significant second income stream for the Thomases and they were hopeful that continued investment would help fully realise the value of sheep for meat, and goats.
"We're hopefully on the rebuild out of a dry time," Mr Thomas said.
"We're restocking as seasons and prices allow.
"It's hard to take advantage of the buoyant prices but we have cautious optimism."
Mr Thomas said Monday's announcement articulated a path forward, but people needed to see it come to action.
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In 2019-20, Queensland exported $85 million worth of sheep and goat products into markets including the USA and China.
Mr Furner said the new strategy promoted and supportd the industry's growth, with a particular focus on small-scale processors to grow jobs and economic activity in rural and outback towns.
"We will work with the sheep and goat meat processing sector to reach its potential, from the large export focused businesses through to smaller family-run processors with a domestic focus," he said.
"Rebuilding sheep and goat numbers, improving regional processing capability and value chain innovation will enhance Queensland's reputation for world-class, naturally grown, sustainable sheep and goat meat into the future."
Mr Furner said agriculture was an essential industry and vital to Queensland's post-COVID recovery.
He said the government wanted to see the sheep and goat meat industry double the value of production to $150 million per annum and create more than 100 new jobs in regional communities.
"Queensland's sheep and goat meat industries have an unprecedented opportunity for growth and prosperity," he said.
"The sector is surging back to life after decades of decline caused by wild dogs, poor sheep and wool prices, and drought.
"Global demand for red meat is increasing and prices for sheep and goat meat are forecast to remain strong for the foreseeable future.
"Local farmers, town workers and their communities from the Darling Downs to the vast sheep and goat producing areas of the outback are set to benefit from this resurgence.
"The Queensland Sheep and Goat Meat Strategy has been developed to ensure the industry and our regions can make the most of this accelerated growth."
The strategy supports a market-researched focus on customers, local production and processing facilities, working with industry to upskill workers, ensuring sustainable supply and nurturing trade partnerships to develop new markets.
It highlights the need to embrace digital and other technologies to develop and improve traceability, food safety and biosecurity measures.
Almost $25m has been allocated since 2015 for the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative, with 9000 kilometres of fencing to enclose and protect 6.5 million hectares of grazing land.
The Department of Agriculture developed the Queensland Sheep and Goat Meat Strategy in close consultation with technical experts and key stakeholders, including AgForce, the Australian Meat Industry Council and the Goat Industry Council of Australia.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
