Why this matters
Australia's sheep industry is recognised as one of the best in the world. We're the largest exporter of both wool and sheepmeat globally — supplying more than half of all internationally traded sheepmeat and about a third of the world's wool exports. Around 68 million sheep support more than $11 billion in economic value and over 72,000 jobs every year.
But the industry is at an important juncture. Throughout The Future Flock consultation a consistent sentiment emerged: Australia's sheep industry enters the next decade from a position of considerable strength, but also faces significant challenges.
Shaping Australia's Sheep Industry Together
What success looks like
The Future Flock consultation participants consistently described the characteristics of a successful Australian sheep industry — an industry founded on four enduring attributes:
A stronger, more profitable sheep industry doesn’t happen by accident.
Over the past six months, more than 300 people from across Australia's sheep industry — producers, processors, exporters, researchers, agents, brokers, advisors, service providers, industry organisations and government — have come together through workshops, interviews, surveys and stakeholder discussions to start shaping The Future Flock.
The Future Flock begins with this first publication: a landmark examination of the current state of the entire Australian sheep industry and the opportunities and constraints that lie ahead.
But this is not an endpoint. It is the foundation for the next phase of work—an ongoing program of research, engagement and industry-led collaboration that will continue to shape, inform and build The Future Flock over the next decade – and beyond.
Where to from here
The consultation undertaken to-date has helped build an understanding of the opportunities and challenges shaping Australia's sheep industry. It has identified conditions that influence long-term success and highlighted the significant opportunity that exists if those conditions can be strengthened.
The next phase of The Future Flock will continue to evolve through industry consultation, supported by the independent advisory panel testing emerging insights, challenging assumptions and guiding development. The Future Flock will focus on working with industry to:
Throughout the consultation, participants consistently emphasised that no single issue would determine the future success of Australia's sheep industry.
Rather, long-term performance will be shaped by how the industry responds to a series of interconnected opportunities and constraints.
While perspectives varied across regions, enterprises and sectors, several common themes emerged as critical to the industry's future:
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Business Profitability – Strengthening business performance through improved decision-making, financial acumen and the effective adoption of technology.
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Whole-of-Animal Value – Optimising the value derived from every animal, across the supply chain, to improve efficiency, profitability and market outcomes.
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Supply Chain Performance – Building a more connected and transparent supply chain, with the agility to respond to market signals and customer needs.
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Industry Culture – Developing a proactive approach to challenges, while maintaining a strong sense of autonomy and adaptability across the industry.
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Industry Unity – Creating greater alignment around a shared vision and direction for Australia's sheep industry.
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People and Capability – Attracting, developing and retaining the workforce and leaders with the skills needed to support the industry's future.
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Animal Wellbeing – Prioritising and advancing animal wellbeing as a foundation for productivity, community trust and long-term sustainability.
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Innovation and Evidence-Based Advice – Improving access to trusted information, fostering continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
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Compliance – Reducing the burden of regulatory compliance, while maintaining market access and meeting evolving community and customer expectations.
What we heard
Co-funded & delivered by
Co-funded by
The Future Flock is a co-investment between the Australian Government and Sheep Producers Australia, drawing on partnerships throughout the supply chain.
Sheep Producers Australia has been trusted by producers and industry stakeholders to deliver industry initiatives, including stewardship of the Sheep Industry Strategic Plans (1995–2020). These provided sector-wide focus and enabled real collaboration and results.
This is a chance for Australia’s sheep industry to shape its future—building resilience, profitability and unity for decades.