- New research partnership between McGowan Government, Meat and Livestock Australia and Rio Tinto to advance Western Australia's northern beef industry
- Pilbara Innovation Partnership to unlock the potential of pastoral businesses and the northern rangelands
A new research alliance has been announced to drive advances in Western Australia's northern beef industry that will help unlock the potential of the pastoral industry, while creating enduring social benefits.
The Pilbara Innovation Partnership is a union between the McGowan Government, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and mining company Rio Tinto, which has extensive pastoral holdings in the region.
The research will span Rio Tinto's pastoral stations, building on long standing research projects between the three parties to tackle challenges and opportunities facing industry stakeholders.
Demonstration sites will be established across three Rio Tinto stations to accelerate adoption of beef production innovations, new technology and land management strategies to lift business performance and rangeland condition.
The initiative will explore scientific developments in irrigated agriculture and beef production, while encouraging greater Aboriginal participation in the industry.
The partnership complements endeavours by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's (DPIRD) Northern Beef Development and Transforming Agriculture in the Pilbara projects to improve cattle husbandry, nutrition and genetics.
A key focus is to rejuvenate pastoral lands by examining alternative strategies and production systems that support business viability and climate resilience.
The wide-ranging initiative also looks to the future of the pastoral workforce pursuing measures that build labour capability and efficiencies through agricultural technologies and innovation - generating far reaching employment opportunities throughout the north.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The Pilbara Innovation Partnership brings together the knowledge, expertise, and experience of three established collaborators, working alongside pastoralists to address challenges and practical measures to drive the northern beef industry forward.
"It is great to formalise this partnership and I welcome the commitment and contribution from Rio Tinto and MLA, which will work closely with DPIRD on scientific research that benefits northern pastoralists.
"I look forward to the transformative outcomes from the Pilbara Innovation Partnership which, together with DPIRD's projects and Producer Innovation Fast Track Grants, are creating strong pastoral enterprises for the future, while conserving the condition of the rangelands."
