Dear all,
August was another busy month, with stakeholder discussions across the supply chain, attendance at the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo and Ram Sale in Katanning on 20 August and the Dowerin Machinery Field Days on 26 August.
The Future Flock: A Ten-Year View 2027–2036 - published
The Future Flock looks at the opportunities and challenges shaping Australia’s sheep industry over the next decade. It draws on extensive consultation and independent economic analysis to support a profitable, resilient and sustainable Australian sheep meat and wool industry.
More than 350 engagements with producers and stakeholders across the sheep meat and wool supply chains informed the work. The economic analysis estimates the industry contributes $11.4 billion in annual gross value add and supports around 72,000 direct jobs nationally, while examining the structural factors influencing long-term industry performance, competitiveness and profitability.
The WA Roadmap to 2028 and supporting and supporting Economic Analysis Report complement The Future Flock. Together, the pieces demonstrate that no single intervention will secure the future of the sheep meat and wool industries. Instead, the strongest outcomes are achieved through coordinated action across flock rebuilding, productivity, workforce capability, processing capacity, market development and supply chain performance.
Producers remain at the centre of future growth, but the economic modelling and industry consultation consistently show that long-term success depends on collaboration across the entire value chain.
Together, The Future Flock, WA Roadmap to 2028 and the supporting economic analysis complete the Australian Government’s $0.8 million Sheep Industry Strategy and Implementation Plan grant, providing both a national ten-year view and a WA-specific pathway for a profitable, competitive and sustainable sheep industry.
For more information, visit The Future Flock website.
Grants – closing soon
A reminder that applications for the WA Roadmap Implementation Fund: Farm System Productivity Program will now close on 10 September 2026. This program supports priority actions in the WA Roadmap to 2028 through the WA Roadmap Implementation Fund.
Competitive grants of $50,000 to $750,000 (excluding GST) are available for projects aligned with the WA Roadmap that deliver broad benefits to the WA sheep industry by improving productivity, profitability and collaboration. No co-contribution is required.
I encourage organisations with project ideas that could benefit the sector to apply.
For more information and how to apply, visit GrantConnect.
WA Wool Collective, Katanning and Brookton seminars
The WA Wool Collective’s seminars attracted close to 350 attendees in Katanning (12 August) and Brookton (13 August), demonstrating a strong sign of both confidence in WA wool and interest in its global outlook. Collectively growers attending represented an estimated 45,000 bales of wool valued at current prices at approximately $130 million.
Following the collective’s highly successful tour of China in June, growers heard directly from major Chinese processors Jinmeng and Tongwei about their investment in Australian wool, processing capabilities and expectations for future supply. European market updates and messages from leading Indian processors added a broader perspective on demand and emerging opportunities.
Discussions also explored changing consumer preferences and the growing use of wool in activewear, next-to-skin garments and blended fabrics. The lively panel gave attendees the chance to ask questions directly and reinforced the value of bringing growers, brokers, exporters and processors together to share practical insights, build relationships and support informed business decisions.
Market and trade update
A new ABARES report “The Australian sheep industry: evolution and transformation” examines how Australia’s sheep industry has evolved since the early 1990s. Changing farm returns have contributed to a smaller flock, a shift from wool-focused production towards a more diversified mix of wool and lamb, and regional changes in flock composition.
Despite the decline in sheep numbers, sheep remain an important part of many broadacre businesses, supporting diversification and providing agronomic benefits. Improvements in management, technology and product quality have lifted measures such as lamb marking and turn-off rates, although long-term industry productivity growth has remained modest.
United States Section 201 global lamb safeguard investigation
As Transition Advocate, I am watching with interest the United States' decision to initiate a Section 201 global safeguard investigation into lamb imports, including from Australia. The US is one of Australia’s most important trading partners and the largest export destination for Australian lamb [by value] in 2025, worth approximately A$1.5 billion. Australia has long been a dependable and trusted lamb supplier to the US, helping to meet consumer demand and support producers across the supply chain. The Australian Government will actively participate in the investigation to protect our trade interests, as any US action to restrict lamb imports could have implications for Australian producers and exporters. I welcome the Government's engagement in the process and its work with industry stakeholders such as the Australian Meat Industry Council, Meat & Livestock Australia and Sheep Producers Australia, to ensure Australian perspectives are considered as the investigation progresses.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions either directly to me or via transition.advocate@aff.gov.au
Kind regards,
Dr Chris Rodwell
Transition Advocate | 0432 837 393
Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea
agriculture.gov.au/2028
