Supply chain funding for sheep farmers now available

FUNDING to reduce the impact of the end of the live sheep trade is now available from state and federal governments.

The $40 million Supply Chain Capacity Program funding for Western Australian sheep producers and processors to build capacity is open.

Grants of up to $2 million are available for producers for on-farm finishing systems and up to $5 million for processors for capacity enhancement.

The program is part of the federal government's $139.7 million Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package to assist businesses to adjust to the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.

Administered by the Rural Business Development Corporation, the program aims to increase onshore processing supply chain capacity, efficiency and productivity in WA.

It offers two rounds of $20 million each to fund capital works.

The first round is now open to eligible businesses that are, or will be, involved in production and processing in the sheep supply chain, including farmers, processors, feedlotters, and infrastructure providers such as cold storage and lairage providers.

A combined state and federal government media release said on-farm producers and smaller-scale abattoirs are encouraged to apply.

‘Producers can apply for grants of up to $2 million towards finishing and feedlotting developments,” the release said.

“Grants of up to $5 million are available to processors to enhance processing supply chain capacity, efficiency and productivity.

“To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate matching co-contributions. Applications close 5pm, 22 October 2025.

More information about the grants program is available from https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/supply-chain-capacity-program.

Federal agriculture minister Julie Collins said the funding will mean the industry can capitalise on consumer demand in Australia and overseas for high-quality and ethically produced food and fibre.

"This funding has been co-designed with industry to deliver the best possible investments as they move away from live sheep exports by sea, and I encourage WA farmers to take advantage of these new opportunities."

WA agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis said the state government is committed to supporting a stronger, more resilient sheep industry and supply chain.

"The Supply Chain Capacity Program, as part of the Australian Government's broader sheep transition plan, will assist Western Australian sheep producers and supply chain businesses to adjust to the ending of live sheep exports by sea and help mitigate the impact of the change.

"The program will incentivise investment in on-farm and processing supply chain capital infrastructure, to build confidence in the sheep industry and capture future opportunities," Ms Jarvis said.