A national strategy for the industry

Isn’t it time Australia’s sheepmeat sector took control of its future again?

And if so, what should be included in a national industry strategy?

These are the questions Sheep Producers Australia Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Skinner posed to a crowd of leading breeders at the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association ‘Shaping the Future’ Inaugural Luncheon at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.

Ms Skinner said the development of a national industry strategy wouldn’t be the first time the sheepmeat sector created a plan.

“Our industry’s first strategy - after the dramatic crash of the Wool Reserve Price Scheme -  aspired to achieve a $2 billion lamb industry by 2000,” she told the crowd.

“It was achieved by 2003, and by 2005 the industry was worth $2.8 billion. 

“Many plans followed to achieve our modern industry.”

She told the audience that a new strategy would provide clear direction for our producers, which would flow through to the rest of the supply chain.

“Like our plans of the past, a new - modern plan - will help us stay focused on the big picture, make better decisions on the ground, and ensure the work being done behind the scenes actually delivers value at the farmgate.

"The industry is facing a vastly more complex operating environment - shifting markets, policy change, and climate pressure. A strong plan gives us something to rally around — so we’re not just reacting to change, but leading it.”

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) data demonstrating the change in the industry flock demographics was also shared with the luncheon, including how the proportion of merino breeding ewes joined to merinos fell below 50 per cent for the first time ever in 2022 and that shedding sheep now account for 7 per cent of all breeding ewes.

With such significant changes in the Australian flock, Ms Skinner also stressed the importance of accurate data for the sheepmeat sector - especially for benchmarking and to get an accurate gauge on profitability.

As prices kick for lambs but struggle in the wool sector, Ms Skinner spoke of the cost pressures from dry and drought conditions - all contributing to volatility across the sector.

A rise in lamb feedlotting has also been the result of dry conditions.

According to MLA, grainfed lamb accounted for 22 per cent of lamb sales in 2024, 16 per cent in 2023 and 12 per cent in 2022.

“I guess the question we need to ask ourselves is - will this rise in lamb feedlotting continue?” Ms Skinner told the crowd.

“Is it part of our industry’s future? And if so, how does it best fit in with our current markets, Q&A programs and marketing? Could we be getting more out of our lamb feedlotting? How do we best do this?”