Regional workshops kick off for The Future Flock

Sheep producers and supply chain participants are together at Keith in South Australia today, opening the next phase of work to shape a long-term vision for Australia’s sheep industry.

Workshop participants are contributing their views and experience to help shape the strategic direction of the industry through The Future Flock – a national sheep industry plan.

Building on strong early supply chain engagement, including survey responses and interviews, this Keith workshop is the first in a national series, with Adelaide tomorrow and additional workshops planned for regional centres across the country.

Sheep Producers Australia CEO Bonnie Skinner said this stage of the consultation is testing what The Future Flock has heard to-date, while bringing in more grassroots perspectives from across the nation.

“The workshop discussion brings people together from across the sheep supply chain, with participants encouraged to look ahead to challenges and opportunities, while identifying the enablers that support change within their businesses and communities,” Ms Skinner said.

“The Future Flock was invited to hold a workshop at Keith and it’s great a place to start the national workshop series.”

Volatility across all aspects of the operating environment has emerged as one of the most consistent themes across the consultation to date.

Through surveys, interviews and on-ground discussions, consultation has demonstrated that the challenge is making informed decisions in an environment of constant change, while managing risk to protect and sustain business performance.

The Future Flock workshops are targeted events, with invited

participants representing a wide range of the sheep supply chain.

Insights gathered through the workshops will inform The Future Flock - a national, industry-led strategic plan, to deliver a unifying vision that will guide the sheep industry for the next decade and beyond.

Producers and stakeholders who cannot attend a workshop are encouraged to contribute via the online survey.

Producer survey: https://www.thefutureflock.com.au/sheep-producer-survey

Farm services survey: https://www.thefutureflock.com.au/farm-services-survey