Queensland’s intensive animal industries have released a 10-year roadmap that sets a clear and collaborative pathway for future growth, resilience and sustainability across the sector, while supporting food security for Queenslanders and Australia.
The Intensive Animal Industries Queensland Roadmap 2025–2035 outlines a strategic, industry-led plan for managing the challenges and opportunities facing Queensland’s pork, poultry (eggs and chicken meat), dairy and feedlot sectors.
Together, these industries collectively contribute close to $1.75 billion annually to the state economy and provide more than 50 per cent of Queenslanders’ daily protein intake.
The roadmap was developed through extensive consultation between industry leaders, government, researchers and peak bodies, including the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, and with funding support from the Queensland Government.
The roadmap identifies four key focus areas for the decade ahead: land use planning and management, animal health, welfare and biosecurity, market demand and supply, and value-based food production.
QFF chief executive officer Jo Sheppard said the roadmap reflected the importance of planning now to secure future food production and food security in Queensland and nationally.
“The intensive animals industries are incredibly important for food security and the supply of protein to Queensland, Australian and global consumers,” she said.
“This roadmap is an example of Queensland’s intensive animal industries working together collectively to find solutions to the shared challenges facing their sector and proactively identifying a unified pathway forward.
“With the global population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the pressure to produce more protein sustainably is growing. These industries are amongst the most innovative and agile in the world but face complex issues ranging from land use and emissions reduction to biosecurity and market demand.
“This document is both a strategic foundation and a living plan that will evolve as the sector navigates change, builds resilience and strives for value-based, sustainable and profitable growth.”
Department of Primary Industries Deputy Director-General Ash Bacon said the roadmap supported Primary Industries Prosper 2050, the Queensland Government’s 25-year blueprint co-designed with industry to shape a thriving future for Queensland and our primary industries.
“Queensland’s intensive animal industries are essential to our state’s food security and economic success, particularly in regional areas,” Mr Bacon said.
“This roadmap ensures government and industry remain aligned in navigating challenges like climate adaptation, land and water use competition and sustainable production. We’re proud to have supported this initiative and look forward to ongoing collaboration.”
The roadmap process brought together industry leaders who recognised shared challenges and the need for co-ordinated action. A series of workshops helped shape the roadmap’s key pillars, ensuring broad representation from across industry, academia, and government.
The roadmap is also a timely contribution to the broader discussion around the role of agriculture in securing Australia’s food future, particularly as environmental targets, shifting consumer expectations and global supply chain pressures reshape the operating landscape.
“Planning for the future of food requires a long-term vision,” Ms Sheppard said.
“This roadmap gives us that and puts industry at the heart of the solution.”