ahead for the Australian sheep industry and its implication for future research and development.

The Centre’s Board recently convened a series of presentations to consider different perspectives from

public and private sector experts on this pressing issue with an eye on realigning research and

development efforts if necessary.

Dr Kimbal Curtis, an acknowledged expert on Australia’s sheep flock structure, said the national flock is

currently estimated to be 71.6 million – the lowest for more than 100 years. He explained that numbers

would continue to fall unless there is a decrease in the numbers going to market or an increase in

reproduction rates.

Future Farm Industries CRC Research Director Dr Mike Ewing said a combination of factors, such as low

wool prices at a time of high grain, meat and sheep exports prices coupled with drought were behind the

decline.

“Despite the decline in numbers, sheep remained important for high and sustained profits and risk

minimisation – particularly on mixed crop-livestock farms. There is evidence that some factors contributing

to the decline have diminished and a more stable phase could now be expected. However, meat production

will continue to grow in relative importance to wool,” Dr Ewing said.

“If producers over commit in any one part of their enterprise, it makes it difficult to shift back when the

outlook changes. Therefore, having a mixed enterprise is essential to farmers who want to become more

resilient and flexible to market conditions.”

Farm Business Consultant Sandy McEachern made it clear during his presentation that a client study

showed a core of profitable wool producers would be at the centre of any industry resurgence to revived

profitability.

“Wh at the industry needs to get their minds around is that replacing wool with sheep meat does not help