The fund is designed to create a stronger agricultural sector with better representation for producers.

Successful grant recipients include the Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) to establish a new peak body, Sheepmeat Council of Australia to develop a Future Flock Network and WoolProducers Australia for the Raising the Baa Leadership Program

CCA president Howard Smith said the Council had been working hard since 2014 with many industry stakeholders to implement change across the sector.

“The new organisation will be directly accountable to producers with representation through a direct elect model, that encourages levy payer direct engagement through consultation and policy development,” Mr Smith said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said the fund provided wide-reaching benefits and support farming, forestry and fisheries representative organisations to boost their leadership skills long into the future.

“This industry led reform is welcome news and a much anticipated development for the cattle industry,” Minister Joyce said.

“This funding gives effect to the recommendations of the Senate Committee inquiry into the red meat sector which saw a role for government to assist CCA transition to a new producer representative body,” he said.

The federal Minister for Agriculture said the Sheepmeat Council of Australia will also receive funding to develop the Future Flock Network, a group of engaged sheepmeat industry leaders with the right skills to represent and support the industry to ensure productivity and profitability.

“WoolProducers Australia is ‘Raising the Baa’ with a leadership program to attract, educate and retain industry leaders across areas of governance, finance, biosecurity, welfare and market access,” Minister Joyce said.

“These grants will assist the organisations to advocate agricultural and rural issues to the wider community and all levels of governments, further equipping their members to champion their industries’ priorities, join international trade delegations, open new markets and run national agribusiness organisations,” he said.