Growing the Profitability and Productivity of South Australia’s Red Meat and Wool SectorRed Meat and Wool Growth Program Overview

SA Sheep Industry

Fund

SA Cattle Industry

Fund

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Program overview

The Red Meat and Wool Growth Program aims to:

Increase farm business skills to build profits and resilience

Promote use of technology in livestock enterprises to enhance productivity and labour efficiency

Support the red meat and wool sector to improve biosecurity, enhance consumer confidence, satisfy quality assurance programs and meet premium market access requirements

Rebuild the SA sheep flock and beef herd to enable consistent high quality product to processors and to meet growing international demand

Why is it important to boost red meat and wool production?

Red meat and wool is SA’s largest manufacturing employer supporting 30,000 jobs – up to 30% of regional employment in some areas and 10% of SA’s total merchandise exports.

The global demand for high quality red meat and wool products continues to grow – increasing our quality and supply will allow South Australia to meet this demand.

To remain strong and competitive, the red meat and wool processing sector needs increased and more consistent supply of quality sheep and cattle year round, and the ability to satisfy requirements for accessing premium markets.

Boosting red meat and wool productivity and profitability will also increase farm resilience and the prosperity of regional SA.

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Challenges

On farm – lack of year round consistent supply and quality

Stock numbers have declined due to drought, bushfire and wild dogs.

Need to rebuild – sheep flock (+7%) cattle herd (+15%).

Program Priorities

Improve productivity and profitability

Support to build skills in business and farm management.

Adoption of technology for improved productivity and profitability.

Outcomes

Business and workforce growth

Informed decision-making by a skilled workforce creating stronger farming businesses.

Processors – high productions costs and unreliable supply

Processors face high costs of production (double that of international competitors) and require a consistent supply of product.

Install infrastructure

Stimulate installation of technology in key processing and saleyards facilities and on-farm.

Regional investment

Increased cattle and sheep numbers leading to improved business viability and further regional investment.

Markets - meeting consumer expectations

More stringent market access standards due to changing customer demands and scrutiny for traceability and transparency.

Enhance market access

Enhance the biosecurity knowledge and understanding of producers and feed back across the supply chain to promote consumer and market confidence.

Market access opportunities

Enhanced traceability systems and transparency for biosecurity, animal welfare and product.

For further information visit: pir.sa.gov.au/redmeatandwool

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Attend events and showcases

• Attend a Livestock Technology Expo, and see new livestock technologies in action at our Focus Farms located across the state

• Attend a Focus Farm field day or read our case studies on what technology other producers have implemented and the efficiencies achieved as a result.

Join our training sessions

• Attend Livestock Enterprise Planning sessions to build business and technology skills and identify priorities for growth

• Join a Producer Technology Group to upskill in available technologies and learn from other producers and experts

• Livestock consultants, stock agents and wool buyers/brokers can join upskilling sessions to gain a better understanding of available technologies and how to support their clients to implement technology.

Access supporting resources

• Subscribe to the Livestock Tech Talk podcasts, webinars, videos, fact sheets and producer case studies at pir.sa.gov.au/tech-talks

• Contact Biosecurity Extension Officer who can work with producer and industry groups to enhance understanding and adoption of best practice biosecurity. Contact pkeynes@livestocksa.org.au or 08 8297 2299.

Apply for grants and rebates

• Complete a Farm AgTech Adoption Plan and apply for a Livestock AgTech Adoption Rebate to support technology implementation, enhanced efficiencies and business growth

• Technology Assistance Grants have also been made available to saleyards and processors to implement technology.

How you can get involved:

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Livestock Enterprise Planning

Planning Sessions

Livestock producers wanting to invest in new technology and receive training and support to implement AgTech can now sign up to the Red Meat and Wool Growth Program’s Livestock Enterprise Planning sessions.

You will have access to a one day workshop and one-on-one coaching where you will:

• examine your current business profitability

• identify how to improve your business performance

• identify strategies to minimise risks and drive productivity

• learn how implementing technology can drive productivity gains

• develop a Farm AgTech Adoption Plan that will identify key actions to improve your business’s performance and technology use.

Sessions will be held in multiple locations across South Australia.

This focus on business and technology planning is underpinned by the low rate of return on assets managed (ROA) for many beef, sheep and wool enterprises (<5%).

Livestock AgTech Adoption Rebate

The Livestock AgTech Adoption Rebate helps producers’ to implement actions identified in their Farm AgTech Adoption Plan, including relevant training activities, consultant and/or advisory support and/or implementation of eligible technology infrastructure. This rebate is for sheep, cattle and wool producers.

How much funding is available?

You can access a rebate up to $10,000 to use towards implementing actions identified in your Farm AgTech Adoption Plan.

What will the rebate fund?

The rebate can be used for further training activities, consultant and advisory support and implementation of eligible technology infrastructure that may include (but is not limited to):

• technology including wands, panel readers and devices associated with the use of electronic identification (eID) for livestock

• automatic handlers and drafters equipped with eID reading technology

• related data-management software, training, consultancy and advisory support

• water, soil or livestock related telemetry devices relevant to a livestock production enterprise

• pregnancy scanning of ewes

• and more.

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How to apply for the rebate:

Attend a planning session 1 day workshop

Complete a Farm AgTech

Adoption Plan via 1:1 coaching

Download the guidelines and complete

application

Attach Farm AgTech Adoption Plan and

click submit

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For further information or to book visit: pir.sa.gov.au/lep-sessions

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The Red Meat and Wool Growth Program is an initiative from the Government of South Australia, supported by Meat & Livestock Australia, SA Sheep and Cattle Industry Funds and SheepConnect SA