Hello everyone,
As harvest gets underway, we’re entering a busy time of the agricultural calendar. A drier winter in some parts of the state and rising input costs are top of mind concerns, but for those producers with sheep there continues to be a quiet optimism about the potential value they can realise per hectare. I’ve spoken to many of the successful grant recipients and projects are starting or equipment is being purchased. From what I’ve heard ram sales were strong, and all indicators point to a flock stabilisation and slow rebuild.
Out and about
This month I visited several regions across Western Australia, speaking not only to the production base but also to the processing sector and parliamentarians about the opportunities and challenges that they see ahead. This ‘real-time’ market feedback helps guide my advice back into government and decision-makers – I’m very grateful for the time and expertise of those I’ve talked to.
One of the highlights was attending the Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-operative (WAMMCO) AGM in Katanning, where I caught up with Meat and Livestock Australia's Lambassadors and watched their live cooking challenge. It was great to see their enthusiasm for promoting Australian lamb internationally and showcasing the quality of our product. I was lucky also enough to join the Lambassadors in Busselton to gain some insight into how food service in different markets can drive new market demand. Strong demand in emerging markets as well as minimising impact of potential tariffs were key take-ways and a good reminder of the valuable in-market work that is essential, but often unseen, that organisations like MLA and Austrade do.
Also in Katanning, I attended the local show and caught up with producers and community members. Later in the month, I joined the Grower Group Alliance Muster Steering Group on visits to the Rhodes Pastoral feedlot near Boyup Brook and Kingston Rest Farms at The Plains.
Seeing these operations firsthand highlighted the level of expertise, innovation and investment occurring across the WA sheep industry. There is nothing like seeing and hearing about how this is occurring in the paddock and I would like to thank both Michael Wright and the Garstone’s for the generous sharing of their time, knowledge and insight.
I also met with the Hon Melissa Price, Lachlan Hunter MP and some of his parliamentary colleagues to discuss progress of the transition package and issues affecting sheep producers and regional communities across Western Australia.
Across all of the engagements, I was heartened by the undercurrent of optimism and opportunity that many can see despite increasingly volatile market and trading conditions.
US Safeguard Investigation
I continue to monitor the US safeguard investigation into lamb imports, given the importance of the US market to Australia's sheep industry.
Australian government and industry representatives appeared before the US International Trade Commission on 16 October and made a strong case for the mutually beneficial relationship between the Australian and US lamb industries, including the role Australian lamb plays in complementing domestic production and meeting year-round consumer demand.
The Commission is due to make its injury determination by 13 November 2026.
More information can be found at: Lamb Meat Global Safeguard Investigation TA-201-80.
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.
