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A new Victorian Coalition Government strategy targeting the state’s red meat industry will boost lamb production and aims to improve the bottom line for producers.
Opening LambEx at Bendigo Showgrounds today, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh confirmed the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to supporting the continued success and growth of the lamb and wider red meat industries.
“LambEx is a premier event in which to celebrate and recognise those within the lamb industry and share knowledge, planning, innovation and inspiration,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Coalition Government is pleased to be sponsoring LambEx here in Victoria, the home of the lamb export industry. Red meat, including lamb, is one of Victoria’s major agricultural exports and generated $1.6 billion last year.
“Under a new Coalition Government strategy as part of the Growing Food and Fibre initiative, staff from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will focus on research projects to improve productivity and meat quality, as well as boost biosecurity mechanisms to safeguard export and domestic markets.”
Mr Walsh said the red meat industry would benefit from DPI work into improving sheep fertility and lamb survival rates, improving lean meat yield from lamb production systems, and developing new farming systems to cater to different regions in Victoria.
“We will also develop on-farm research and demonstration sites across Victoria to apply and test research findings in a commercial environment,” Mr Walsh said.
“By undertaking work to increase the adoption of traceability and improved feedback systems, farmers and processors will be able to improve product quality and integrity to better meet consumer requirements.
“We are also investing $3.45 million to establish DPI’s Hamilton research facility as a Southern Red Meat Innovation centre, which will build on recent capital investment supporting lamb research at the site.
“Victoria has the opportunity to produce more red meat for growing overseas markets and these Coalition initiatives will be a vital step towards that goal.”
LambEx continues today and tomorrow at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in Holmes Road, Bendigo. For further information and program details visit www.lambex.com.au