Victoria, Meat & Livestock Australia launch US$3.9M program to boost sheep, beef farm productivity
The fund is meant to help sheep and beef producers use data-driven technologies and management tools to improve productivity, profitability and resilience.
AUSTRALIA – Agriculture Victoria and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) have announced a new A$6 million (US$3.9M) program aimed at helping sheep and beef producers make better use of data and technology to improve farm performance.
The initiative was unveiled during the Best Wool/BestLamb and BetterBeef Conferences held in Ballarat, Victoria.
The program will provide farmers with access to local workshops, producer networks and on-farm trials designed to strengthen decision-making and business management.
Participating producers will be encouraged to use farm data such as livestock weight records, reproductive performance information and pasture measurements to support more informed management decisions.
Technologies including electronic livestock identification systems will also be promoted to help farmers monitor and manage their operations more effectively.
Victoria’s Minister for Agriculture, Michaela Settle, said stronger sheep and beef businesses contribute to stronger regional communities and long-term economic growth.
She said the investment will provide producers with practical tools to improve productivity, strengthen resilience and increase profitability over time.
The program will also connect farmers with advisers who possess local expertise and can help translate research findings and data into practical on-farm applications.
Producers will have opportunities to test new production practices and gain insights from both industry research and international developments relevant to sheep and beef production.
The initiative aims to help farmers improve productivity, manage rising input costs and strengthen long-term business performance through better use of existing information and technology.
According to Agriculture Victoria, greater use of farm data can help producers improve efficiency, identify areas for improvement and plan more effectively for future production and market conditions.
Sheep and beef production remain among Victoria’s most valuable agricultural sectors.
The state’s beef industry is valued at approximately A$2.9 billion, while sheep meat production contributes around A$2.0 billion annually.
Victoria’s wool sector adds a further A$874 million to the state’s agricultural output.
The Victorian Government has also committed more than A$146.5 million through its drought support package to assist farmers facing challenging seasonal conditions.
In addition, the state has secured a 10-million-litre diesel reserve to support the agricultural sector during periods of supply disruption.
MLA General Manager for Research, Development and Adoption, Sarah Strachan, said the program is focused on delivering measurable outcomes for producers.
She noted that improvements in lambing percentages, pasture utilisation and consistency in meeting processor specifications are among the key targets.
Strachan added that helping producers make better use of data throughout the supply chain, from paddock to processor, can improve productivity, reduce business risk and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Victoria’s red meat industry.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
