Producers in WA’s wheatbelt have won grants under the latest rounbd of live export transition funding.

WESTERN Australian sheep producers and processors have been awarded grants in the second round of $40 million Supply Chain Capacity Program as part of government funding from the live sheep export transition package.

Grants have been awarded to 104 producers to support investment into on-farm finishing systems, including new or expanded feedlots, confinement feeding systems, paddock finishing, and efficiency-led technology improvements.

Grants have been awarded to four processors for capacity building, including lairage upgrades, cold storage enhancements, value-added production, and abattoir expansion.

The successful projects span the WA’s Mid West, Wheatbelt, South West, Great Southern, Peel, Gascoyne, and Goldfields-Esperance regions.

The program, administered by the Rural Business Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government, aims to increase onshore processing supply chain capacity, efficiency, and productivity in WA.

WAFarmers president Steve McGuire said he expected the funding, which involved producers and processors matching the federal funds, showed a lot of commitment to the industry.

He said the biggest factor for producers, was what abattoirs were prepared to pay for sheep and lambs, but he expected the grant projects would help the supply situation and increase confidence.

“It will at least help stop the (flock) decline.

“I think we’ve got to head into a rebuild, but it’s a long way back.”

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said Australia’s sheep industry is a proud and important part of the nation’s agricultural sector, and these grants will help ensure this continues into the future.

“The 108 successful grant recipients have total project values of more than $88 million, representing positive investment into Western Australia’s sheep supply chain,” she said.

“This funding will assist producers to make their businesses more flexible, efficient, and resilient.”

WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said the state government is committed to supporting a strong and sustainable sheep industry in Western Australia.

“This latest round of Supply Chain Capacity Program grants will increase onshore processing capacity, diversify markets, and create more opportunities for our sheep producers.”

Click here for full details on the grant recipients.

For more information about the program visit WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.