| The regionally-based program working to secure a profitable future for the Queensland sheep and wool industry is set to redouble its efforts after Australian Wool Innovation gave the green light for Leading Sheep’s funding to continue for the next two years.
Leading Sheep is an AWI initiative in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and supported by AgForce, which targets the adoption of new technologies and practices to increase the productivity and profitability of the Queensland industry.
At a review meeting in Brisbane last Thursday, the Leading Sheep Project Advisory Panel reported on undertakings and achievements during the project’s first year of development and outlined future plans to build-on the four networks established in regional Queensland.
After the review meeting, AWI General Manager Wool Production Ian Rogan said AWI approved the continuation of the project which has a three-year budget of $2.4 million that includes $1 million funding from AWI and $1.4 million in-kind support from DPI&F and AgForce.
“The panel has shown impressive commitment to Leading Sheep and we were pleased to hear that the regional committees are working well and gaining momentum as they plan activities that will be beneficial at a local level in building knowledge, confidence and morale,” Mr Rogan said.
Leading Sheep chair Denzil Mills said ongoing drought and depressed wool prices have contributed to Queensland sheep numbers dropping from 12 million to 5 million in the past decade, and this project offers the best hope of arresting that decline.
"Those who are still in the industry are clearly committed to it and this first year of Leading Sheep has created a platform for the project that will come into its own in years two and three," Mrs Mills said.
Queensland DPI&F General Manager Animal Science Greg Robbins said the department prefers to work in close association with industry groups and the considerable and welcome co-funding from AWI would ensure mututal objectives were attained.
"From a DPI perspective, we believe technology uptake leads to enterprise and industry change which in turn leads to increased profitability for those in the industry – which is the key aim of Leading Sheep," Dr Robbins said.
Regional coordinators and producer committees are working in four regions based on vegetation type – South-East (Traprock), Southern Inland (Box/Sandelwood), South West (Mulga) and Central West (Mitchell Grass).
For comment, contact AWI Communications Manager Megan Ball on 02 8295 3102 or Leading Sheep project manager Geoff Knights 07 4620 8121 or geoff.knights@dpi.qld.gov.au. | 
