Drought is not the only big thing happening in Australia's red meat sector.
At the same time, the red meat industry is also independently reviewing its own structure.
In July Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) released a white paper titled 'A better red meat future', which features recommendations that the red-meat industry embrace a streamlined whole-of-supply-chain approach to research, marketing and advocacy.
The proposed model of achieving a simpler red meat industry structure outlined involves the establishment of three entities: one rationalised red-meat RDC, a new marketing and strategic advocacy body to be called (Red Meat Australia), and a consolidated organisation that would control integrity and food quality systems.
These potential changes to the red meat industry are momentous.
They will impact how producer levies are spent and industries role in setting the research and development agenda.
They will also affect and change the role of State Farming Organisations and Peak Industry Councils.
They are also an important part of overall reforms to the agricultural sector as it aims to become a $100 billion industry by 2030.
Given the significance of these reforms happening at both the red meat and wider agricultural level, it is important that the voices of grass-roots producers are heard on what is working and what needs improving.
Copies of the RMAC White Paper and 'Modernising the Research and Development Corporation system' Discussion paper are available online.
Receiving feedback from our members is crucial as it will shape NSW Farmers' response to both these reviews.
Help us achieve desirable outcomes are for producers and all 82,000 businesses involved in the red meat industry.
Get involved and help shape the future of your industry.
- James Jackson is the NSW Farmers president
