Crucial next step reached in the development of The Future Flock

The National Advisory Panel (the Panel) for The Future Flock initiative has reached an important stage ahead of the first of a series of regional consultation workshops to help shape the wool and sheepmeat sector over the next decade and beyond.

The Future Flock will act as a "living plan" to guide the sector through significant changes, including structural transitions and market shifts, by engaging in widespread consultation across the supply chain to help build a more united, adaptable and agile industry.

The Panel met in Sydney on 31 March for its third face to face meeting – the final before the first round of regional consultations across the eastern and western seaboards of Australia.

Panel Chair Angus Hobson said consultation events are the next crucial phase of The Future Flock, with the first scheduled for Keith on April 14.

The workshops are targeted events, with invited participants representing a wide range of the wool and sheepmeat supply chains.

“We have undertaken an extensive program of one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders across the sheep supply chain to identify major issues, challenges, and opportunities for the industry," Angus said. "The regional workshops will refine and ‘ground-truth’ the insights arising from those interviews.”

“We’ll test what we’ve heard so far, talk through key challenges and opportunities, and look at what the future of the industry could be. It’s also about identifying what needs to change to make that future a reality.”

Critically, the strategy is targeting everyone with an interest in the wool and sheepmeat industry for input including producers, farm service providers, processors, researchers and industry bodies.

 “There are many channels for farmers and stakeholders to have their say in The Future Flock. The best way for individuals to get involved right now is to complete the Producer Survey or Farm Service Survey which will underpin the strategy as a key data source. We encourage you to reach out to The Future Flock team to see how you can be involved.”

The Future Flock Strategy, co-funded by Sheep Producers Australia and the Federal Government, will deliver a unifying vision that will guide the sheep industry for the next decade and beyond.

Panel member Sally Martin is clear on the outcome she wants from Future Flock. “We have a sustainable sheep industry - and we actually work together," she said. "A combined meat and wool industry. It’s been my vision for a long time, and I hope to see that come to fruition.”