Western Downs jobs-creating sheep expansion underway thanks to RAD grant
A Western Downs family farm’s infrastructure project will boost the supply of its sheep meat to domestic and international markets while creating 15 jobs for Queenslanders.
Fifth-generation family enterprise Coggan Farms is currently building a new sheep feedlot and dual-purpose quarantine shed with the help of a Rural Agricultural Development (RAD) Grant.
With their sheep stock more than tripling over the past decade, Coggan Farms Logistics and Operations Manager Tom Coggan said the farm's second feedlot shed will allow the operation to increase its stock handling capabilities.
“Our new feedlot facilities will help us to further improve the quality of our sheep herd and take us to the next step in management of our stock and sustainability across our enterprise,” he said.
“The larger lamb quantities will enable us to fulfil an influx of domestic sales contracts."
It will also help the enterprise cut their CO2 emissions through reduced production time, while increasing their drought resilience as the facility allows them to directly feed, water and monitor all stock.
“We can already see another drought coming, so the funding has come at the right time because additional feedlot facilities will not only help us with our drought mitigation, but also provide locals the option to offload during dry conditions if they can’t afford to keep weaners on their paddocks," Tom said.
Tom said the quarantine facility aims to meet the export protocols for potential transfer trade deals with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, which will not only cement Queensland as a sheep producing powerhouse, but also help Australia’s closest neighbours improve the genetics of their sheep herds.
“The Pacific Islands and Middle East are also looking to improve their sheep meat quality but just don’t have the stock over there, and as a result they have shown interest in our products so there’s potential for trade with those countries," he said.
When the shed is not being used for quarantining it will be used as an additional feedlot, enabling the enterprise to get the most value out of their new assets.
At home, the increased output will mean Coggan Farms’ hormone and steroid free lamb can be sold to more Queensland butchers, restaurants, and retailers.
The $500,000 project is being funded by a $200,000 RAD Grant from the Palaszczuk Government under round one of the program and a $300,000 co-contribution from Coggan Farms.
Coggan Farms is one of 10 sheep and goat enterprises across rural and regional Queensland that collectively received just over $1.8 million in funding under round one of the RAD Grant program.
The RAD program supports projects that help grow the sheep and goat industries while creating jobs as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s strategy to double the value of sheep and goat production.
The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) administers the Rural Agricultural Development (sheep and goats) Grant Scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
