INCREASING the state's sheep numbers by 13 per cent to more than 12 million head, full adoption of electronic identification and data sharing for processed stock, and seeing wild dogs eradicated within the SA Dog Fence by 2030 were some of the ambitious targets unveiled in the SA sheep industry's 2030 Blueprint.
Launched at Meat & Livestock Australia's MeatUp Forum in Gawler on Friday last week, SA Sheep Industry Blueprint Working Group chair Jane Kellock said the group anticipated the Blueprint could help the industry grow by 50pc to an annual revenue of $3 billion by 2030.
The new Blueprint follows on from the 2015-20 SA Sheep Industry Blueprint and was developed by Livestock SA and the Sheep Industry Fund, Fresh agenda, PIRSA's Red Meat and Wool Growth program and the SA Sheep Industry Blueprint Working Group.
It outlines four priority areas to aid the industry's growth - supporting productivity with sustainable practices, promoting a responsive and resilient supply chain, fostering a growing and skilled workforce, and optimising market outcomes.
Other notable targets in the 2030 plan included the production of an extra lamb per ewe lifetime, delivering one million more lambs, a decrease in value chain processing costs by 10pc through waste reduction and making 100pc of sheep products traceable through the supply chain.
As well as production and traceability targets, the Blueprint also outlines education and career-related goals, aiming to increase the number of school students who can learn about agriculture by 20pc and improving the retention of livestock industry workers by highlighting career pathways.
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Mrs Kellock said the 2030 Blueprint had built on the momentum and success of the original Blueprint and it's goals had been set through extensive consultation with more than 200 producers, organisations and industry representatives.
"The new Blueprint is an initiative compiled by industry, for industry, to support the whole value chain," she said.
"The sheep industry makes a crucial contribution to the state's economy with premium products exported across the world. The industry generates $2 billion in annual gross state revenue.
"The Blueprint working group anticipates the South Australian sheep industry can grow by 50 per cent to $3 billion by 2030.
"The Blueprint is well-positioned to deliver its objectives alongside the state government's Growth State 2030 plan for primary industries, which outlines continued growth in the wool and meat sectors."
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Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the Growth State 2030 plan aimed to increase primary industries revenue to $23 billion by 2030 and the livestock industry would play a major role in reaching this target.
"By supporting development of the SA Sheep Industry Blueprint 2030, the state government is investing in a united strategy for an uplift in productivity and ultimately greater profitability for farmers," he said.
"I acknowledge the importance of having an ambitious plan to rebuild, restock and grow flock numbers as we see the light at the end of the tunnel from drought."
Mr Basham said the government had committed to providing assistance in establishing and undertaking a mid-term review of the Blueprint and were also instigating generational reform by investing in projects like the $25 million Dog Fence rebuild.
The South Australian Sheep Industry Blueprint 2030 can be downloaded from the Livestock SA website.
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