The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Friday at the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association annual conference in Darwin. 

The northern beef industry contributes more than $2.8 billion a year directly to the Australian economy and make up 57 per cent of the regions total agricultural production.  The area holds more than 11.7 million head of cattle, making up over 45% of the national herd.

Cattle Council president Howard Smith said the plan was about leveraging the key initiatives already being developed across the north to maximise the impact for the beef industry.

“The plan will complement the Meat Industry Strategic Plan 2020 and will be underpinned by existing government and industry research to ensure investment in the North can have the biggest effect whilst protecting the integrity and biosecurity of the region,” Smith said.

NTCA chief executive Tracey Hayes said the push for Beef Plan North, an overarching strategy for one of northern Australia’s key industries, was aimed at meeting the great opportunities and challenges ahead.

“We want to position ourselves to drive a new era of development, growth and innovation for all of Australia. That’s a vast area,” Hayes said. 

“It’s crucial that we make a collaborative effort for the mutual benefit of us all.