Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce has today joined NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair to announce the Commonwealth and NSW Government’s five-year co-investment in two research and development programs which will benefit the sheep and cattle industries
“I welcome the NSW Government’s significant investment towards boosting livestock productivity and genetic gains in the livestock industry, driving higher returns to the farmgate,” Mr Joyce said.
“We have taken cattle to record prices and we have to work to keep them high.
“The first co-investment research and development program will focus on five key areas including improving supply chain efficiency, overcoming the nutritional limits to livestock genetic potential, improving reproductive performance, sustainability of livestock production systems and enhancing the feed base by optimising grazing and soil management. This research and development can help boost productivity across the whole supply chain.”
The NSW Government is investing $17.5 million into the partnership with MLA Donor Company (MDC) – a fully-owned subsidiary of industry service company Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair said the NSW Government is focused on supporting regional NSW and sees the five year commitment as a pivotal investment to grow core research initiatives that will benefit the sheep and cattle industries.
“NSW DPI will also invest an additional $5 million in the new National Livestock Genetics Consortium (NLGC) - an initiative among key livestock industry stakeholders that seeks to achieve world leading rates of genetic gain that will ultimately drive value chain profitability,” Mr Blair said.
“The NLGC will provide a co-ordinated, targeted approach to livestock genetics research across Australia in conjunction with universities, state and Commonwealth governments, industry and commercial providers.
“As the largest rural research provider in Australia, NSW DPI supports economic growth through innovation to improve resilience and boost productivity.”
Mr Joyce said the partnership was a significant investment in research, development and adoption for the southern Australian sheep and cattle sectors.
“Collaborative partnerships like this are essential for our industry as we seek to keep the Australian red meat industry globally competitive,” Mr Joyce said.
Under the collaborative partnership model, MDC will match the NSW Governments funding for research projects that address the five key red meat priorities. MDC has also given in-principle support to match the investment in the NLGC.
