Collaborative project in Australia to explore indigenous beef products

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Western Kangoulu Indigenous Group, the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and MLA Donor Company (MDC) have launched a joint project to explore the potential of bringing indigenous branded beef products and services into domestic and global markets.

The collaborative project, through the MDC, will focus on the desirability, feasibility and commercial viability of indigenous branded beef products and services.

Additionally, the project will examine the possibility of creating a supply chain strategy for these products.

Western Kangoulu director Jonathan Malone said: “Through this project, we aim to demonstrate a business model that could support sustainable indigenous communities, employment, education, and training outcomes. It also has the potential to enable future indigenous opportunities in the red meat sector and broader agricultural industries.”

Under the new initiative, indigenous groups will stand to benefit from the agricultural opportunities linked to native title negotiations to build a business structure that provides support to the local community.

MLA chief marketing and communications officer Lisa Sharp said: “This is about identifying and working with innovative producers and producer groups to develop their concepts and ensure we are building capability and value in our red meat industry.

“The focus on beef production systems, specifically with a branded product, clearly identifies the desire to reinvest in community development and provide capability building for the wider red meat industry in regional areas.”

Sharp added that the project will be delivered through MDC’s Producer Innovation Fast Track programme, which teams up with producers to speed up the development and adoption of innovation and capabilities to bolster farm-gate returns and supply chain.

The university will collaborate with the Western Kangoulu Indigenous Group to coordinate on aspects such as the delivery of supply chain strategy, new product development, and economic modelling.