AgForce has welcomed the $1.5 million funding promise from the Federal Labor Party for the Beef Central Queensland Livestock Centre of Excellence, a producer-led research program co-developed with Central Queensland University and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The addition of hi-tech research and demonstration facilities will enhance the Centre's ability to develop innovations in precision livestock management and ensure producers can access and adopt these technologies.
AgForce Cattle President Will Wilson, from Calliope in Central Queensland, described it as smart investment in the future of the Queensland cattle industry and an endorsement of industry-led research and innovation.
"The Centre of Excellence was founded so that producers could be deeply involved in developing and using technologies that will support the long-term profitability and sustainability of the beef industry," Mr Wilson said.
"A number of cutting edge technologies that will be funded by Labor's announcement today focus on automating and integrating data collection and analysis.
"Having more precise information on stock, labour and land will help us make better management decisions, increasing productivity, improving animal welfare, preventing over-grazing and reducing our environmental footprint."
AgForce General President Georgie Somerset said Mr Fitzgibbon's forward-looking commitment had been influenced by numerous meetings he and his policy team had had with AgForce and national peak body, National Farmers' Federation.
"Anticipating the forthcoming election, AgForce has been very active over the past six months talking with both the Government and Opposition on policies and programs that are important to agriculture," Mrs Somerset said.
"We will be campaigning as actively as the politicians to ensure whichever party forms government is aware of the needs of Australia's primary producers.
"Our asks are based around four key themes
- Creating connected communities
- Ensuring practical, science-based environmental regulation for healthy environments
- Empowering producers to deal with climate risk
- Developing market opportunities for agricultural products, including live cattle exports
