Sheepmeats Council of Australia president Jeff Murray

Australia’s sheep producers will invited to complete an online survey this month as the next stage in development of the 2015-2020 Sheepmeat Industry Strategic Plan.

Sheepmeats Council of Australia chief executive officer Kat Giles said SCA ran producer forums across Australia in 2014 to hear issues from sheep producers. A second round of forums was held in October/ November last year through the Meat Industry Strategic Plan development process.

This year a series of expert panels have worked to provide information for an economic analysis of priorities to be undertaken. This information is now being used to develop the KPIs (key performance indicators or imperatives) to go into the SISP, Ms Giles said.

Survey Monkey enlisted for producer feedback

Towards the end of May SCA will be asking for producers’ views, on the developed KPIs and a draft SISP, in an online industry survey.

Producers can go to www.sheepmeatcouncil.com.au and subscribe to ensure they are notified when the survey is available.

The SISP aims to ensure levy investments made by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), Animal Health Australia and the National Residue deliver value for money to producers by providing a a blueprint to focus research and development, marketing and advocacy work on behalf of producers. The SISP will also align with the MISP, being developed by Red Meat Advisory Council for cross-commodity red meat industry issues.

Wild dogs still main issue across the country

After a round of meetings in Queensland recently, including the quarterly council meeting in Toowoomba, SCA president Jeff Murray said wild dogs are the single issue having the greatest effect on producers, economically and emotionally, in many parts of the country.

“Collaboration between industry and government remains critical to tackling the issue.”

He said it was important SCA hears from producers on issues like wild dogs, overgrazing by unsustainable kangaroo populations, and environmental red tape which are affecting the profitability of their businesses.

Work on new farmer representation model

Mr Murray and Ms Giles also attended the AgForce Qld Sheep and Wool Board meeting, discussing key topics that included the SISP, MISP, the Trans Pacific Partnership, trade access, producer representation and carcase feedback.

The SCA continues to support the Trans Pacific Partnership and development of trade agreements with emerging markets such as India.

The sheepmeats council is also supporting a strong live sheep export industry through improving market access in the Middle East, North Africa and other markets, backing work to strengthen quality assurance programs operating across the livestock export supply chain.

The SCA is also working with the National Farmers’ Federation to develop a more effective farmer representation model to improving SCA’s producer representation. Improving feedback to producers, including abattoir monitoring, is being encouraged through the Livestock Data Link pilot project, to improve on-farm profitability.

Source: Sheepmeats Council of Australia