Livestock SA welcomes $7.5 million State Government investment for livestock industry

Livestock SA today welcomed the State Government announcement of $7.5 million into South Australia’s red meat sector in a bid to grow productivity in the industry and further strengthen biosecurity.

Funds from the Economic and Business Growth Fund will focus on technology adoption, vital infrastructure for growth and measures to enhance biosecurity in the red meat industry.

Livestock SA President Joe Keynes says the organisation welcomed the announcement.

“It’s really pleasing that the government has recognised the importance of the SA Sheep and Beef Industry Blueprints in setting the agenda for industry development in SA,” he said.

“Livestock SA has worked closely with all sectors of industry and government in the development of the Blueprints and they really do provide a blueprint for the state’s red meat and wool industries going forward.

“New investment in our industry is always very welcome and will support the continued development of programs and research into the red meat and wool industry.

“We will be actively working with the State Government in order to further develop the details in relation to this investment.

“We have been in discussions with Government partners, and these will continue as part of this.”

Mr Keynes said the livestock industry was a key driver of the SA economy and job force.

“Over 11 million sheep, 950,000 head of cattle and 57 million kilograms of wool are produced annually in this state with a total production and processing revenue of $2.4 billion,” he said.

As part of the funding commitment the State Government will also further invest in the One Biosecurity program. Livestock SA is currently working to roll out a series of One Biosecurity workshops across SA, with workshops still to be held in the South East, Mallee and Eyre Peninsula.