Future looks bright for FutureBeef

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner has welcomed the $2.38 million three-year renewal of FutureBeef, the highly-successful government-industry beef extension partnership.

FutureBeef is a partnership between the Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australian governments and MLA, which aims to improve the profitability and sustainability of the northern beef industry.

“The northern beef industry is backed by world-leading research and development conducted by the state government and partner agencies,” Mr Furner said.

“Since its inception in 2012, FutureBeef has provided producers with the link to the latest scientific discoveries and research covering topics from genetics to grazing land management through its website and innovative eExtension technologies.

“It is this extension effort, and adoption by our beef enterprises both large and small, that positions our beef products as the choice of consumers here and overseas.

Mr Furner said the new three-year agreement is a commitment to continue to deliver high quality, sustainably-produced products to even more consumers across the globe.

“FutureBeef is a great example of government and industry working together to provide real benefits to the northern Australian beef industry by harnessing the power of emerging technologies,” he said.

“The FutureBeef website, www.futurebeef.com.au, has received over a million hits since its launch, becoming a one-stop shop for northern beef information.

“The website now has hundreds of pages of content with numerous videos and an events calendar which allows users to sign up for workshops and webinars.

“So well regarded is this site, it now has more than 350,000 individual users, and the monthly eBulletin has more than 4,000 subscribers.

“With the project being extended for another three years, it will concentrate on supporting producers in achieving sustainable and profitable productivity gains.

“This will involve a revised schedule of direct engagement and education through webinars, social media campaigns, a regular eBulletin and traditional media, while in tandem the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will be further strengthening its extension services to conduct projects with beef enterprises.” 

For more information, visit www.futurebeef.com.au.

Follow FutureBeef on Facebook and Twitter (@FutureBeef).

Media: Brock Taylor - 0427 018 178