Producers

Producers (seedstock, prime lamb, wool, mixed enterprises)

Processors & Exporters

Meat processors, wool buyers, brokers and exporters, commodity traders & marketers

Farm Services

Farm services (vets, agronomy, livestock agents, genetics advisers, rural merchandise representatives, consultants, NRM/Landcare financers, transporters)

R&D

Researchers, industry Research & Development Organisations, Governments, Regulators

Advisors

Industry bodies, economists, and independent experts

Why now

The industry stands on strong foundations but also faces significant pressures. Producers are navigating volatile markets, boom–bust patterns, climate variability, shifting consumer expectations and regulations as well as increasing biosecurity and social licence scrutiny. At the same, there's opportunities to strengthen markets, embrace innovation, and build a resilient and profitable sector.

What we will deliver

The Future Flock will be a national strategy delivering a clear and unifying vision for sheepmeat and wool, supported by economics.
A WA Roadmap to 2028 - drawing on past consultations and information - to guide changes in the State's sheep sector.
The Future Flock will be a dynamic, interactive online strategy - built to evolve and ideal to guide future decisions.

Shaping Australia's Sheep Industry Together

A stronger, more profitable sheep industry doesn’t happen by accident.

The Future Flock is the first industry-wide approach to unite sheepmeat and wool to deliver a shared vision that will guide the sector.
Getting behind one plan provides clarity and confidence when we are making important long-term decisions that drive industry profit, sustainability within the sector and investment.

Without a plan we react to challenges, with a strategy we shape our own future.

If you breed, grow, trade, process, sell, transport, finance, advise or research sheep and lamb in Australia - this plan is for you.

A practical, industry-led plan for Australia’s sheep sector.
Have your say. Help shape the future for decades to come.

Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) is leading the development of The Future Flock - a national strategy to deliver a clear and unifying vision for the sheepmeat and wool industries, while also advancing a Western Australian plan - the WA Roadmap to 2028.

The Future Flock will:

Unite national and state priorities: To define challenges and opportunities through broad consultation to build sector-wide consensus and ownership.
Leverage what exists: Build on existing strategies and consultations to align stakeholders on shared industry priorities.
Foster collaboration and a community of practice: Connect producers, processors, exporters, researchers, government and farm service providers in open, ongoing dialogue to develop a whole-of-supply chain supply chain plan.
Use evidence and economic analysis: Use economic analysis and evidence-based insights to identify the most impactful industry pathways and forecast the outcomes of resource allocation.
Deliver a living plan: The finished product will be an interactive online framework that remains accessible, adaptable and relevant while serving as a communication and advocacy tool.
Demonstrate impact: Embedded monitoring, evaluation and reporting to track progress, adapt to change and ensure accountability and effectiveness.

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.

We're seeking your involvement

If you work in Australia’s sheep industry, we need to hear from you.

How it works

We’re using a participatory approach- meaning we want to hear from you first - with the whole supply chain shaping the final outcome. Workshops will run in every sheep-producing state, with online and less formal options options available so you can contribute on your terms. After each session, a short summary will be provided to participants for feedback. Those insights go straight into the draft strategy. A National Strategic Advisory Panel and the Sheep Producers Australia Board will oversee the entire process. We're seeking sector wide involvement, so if you're in the sheep industry, we want to hear from you.

Who's involved?

Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) is delivering the project and it is a co-investment between SPA and the Australian Government. A National Strategic Advisory Panel, appointed via an open EOI process, will provide strategic guidance in conjunction with the SPA Board.

In WA, the Transition Advocate and Strategic Steering Group will ensure the state’s needs are properly addressed and linked to The Future Flock.