Project explores potential for Indigenous-branded beef
A collaborative project will explore the potential for bringing Indigenous-branded beef products and services to both the domestic and international markets.
A collaborative project will explore the potential for bringing Indigenous-branded beef products and services to both the domestic and international markets.
The new project – a collaboration between Central Queensland’s Western Kangoulu Indigenous Group, the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) – will examine the desirability, feasibility and commercial viability of Indigenous-branded beef products, and development of a supply-chain strategy for them.
The impetus for the project was an Indigenous-branded product concept called ‘BlackFella Beef – Murri Yuri’, developed by Growing Central Queensland and Wangan Jagalingou and Western Kangoulu Indigenous groups.
Western Kangoulu Director Jonathan Malone said the Blackfella Beef concept had huge potential for Indigenous communities.
‘Through this project, we aim to demonstrate a business model that could support sustainable Indigenous communities, employment, education and training outcomes,’ he said.
‘It also has the potential to enable future Indigenous opportunities in the red-meat sector and broader agricultural industries.’
USQ Professor Alice Woodhead said the University would collaborate closely with the Western Kangoulu Indigenous Group to work on economic modelling, product development and a supply-chain strategy.
‘USQ will work with the group to establish the economics of Indigenous herd quality and quantity, and the value proposition for Indigenous-branded beef products.
‘This will build capacity in Indigenous communities to manage additional beef enterprises and understand supply chain and market access.’
The project will be delivered through MLA’s Producer Innovation Fast Track program, which supports the development and adoption of innovations that can improve farm-gate returns and supply-chain performance.
Agricultural products like beef are identified as one of Queensland’s traditional export strengths in the Queensland Trade and Investment Strategy 2017–2022.