New goat projects underway

Two new projects aimed at helping Australian goat producers improve productivity and profitability are now underway following an application review process.

One project will deliver a development plan for a Goat Industry Sustainability Framework, to be considered by the Goat Industry Research, Development and Adoption Committee (GIRDAC) for future investment, in consultation with the Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA).

Currie Communications have been engaged to facilitate the development plan for the Framework.

A second project involves a scoping study to identify gaps in research, development and adoption (RD&A) work conducted in the goat industry and present an impact assessment to aid the RD&A priority setting process facilitated within the GIRDAC.

AbacusBio will be scoping RD&A opportunities for the Australian goat industry.

MLA Project Manager – Sheep & Goat Productivity, Dr Daniel Forwood, said both organisations are well-credentialled with significant experience and expertise in their respective fields.

“Both projects are slated to complete work within a six-month timeline,” Dr Forwood said.

“These projects were identified through the priority setting process facilitated by the GIRDAC for goat levy investment, and MLA is the sole funder of the research activities.”

Goat Industry Sustainability Framework

The Goat Industry Sustainability Framework development plan will outline the business case for the Framework and comprise engagement with key stakeholders across the supply chain, simultaneously scoping similar Sustainability Frameworks in Australia and internationally.

“Goatmeat is a highly valuable red meat commodity to international markets, however the export-oriented nature of the goat industry has placed the sector at the whim of international market forces,” Dr Forwood said.

“To maintain and open market access to new markets, respectively, the Australian goat industry must demonstrate its sustainability credentials.

“As a world-first, the goat sectors (meat, dairy and fibre) have a unique opportunity to collaborate on the development of a cross-sectoral Sustainability Framework akin to the Sheep Sustainability Framework.

“The development plan will provide industry with a value case for a Sustainability Framework, and guide MLA on the goat industry’s appetite towards the development of a Sustainability Framework.”

Scoping study

Dr Forwood said strategic investment into RD&A activities for the Australian goat industry is required to ensure that knowledge gaps and data baselines which benefit the sector are being suitably addressed.

“An impact-driven gap analysis will enable MLA to strategically invest in RD&A activities that deliver outcomes that assist with improving the productivity and profitability of goat enterprises,” Dr Forwood said.