Emma Pritchard
The future of the livestock sector in the Clarence Valley was given a significant boost last week when Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders joined the Nationals candidate for Clarence Richie Williamson at the Grafton Saleyards to announce the uplifting of ag skills and fee free training which will be extended throughout the region as the NSW Government expands their educational programs to support the growth of the agricultural workforce.
“We have invested about $9.6 million since 2020 on almost 5500 courses for participants across the state,” the Minister revealed.
“This expansion to the livestock sector will turbocharge the take up of skills and training for the people driving an $8 billion industry.
“For an area like Grafton which is one of the central areas for cattle in this region, it is a really important day for young people, and people who may want to retrain or upskill to stay in or enter an industry like livestock.”
Designed to deliver industry relevant training while drawing on new and emerging technologies with a focus on driving efficiency and productivity, Mr Williamson said the announcement is terrific news for primary industries in the Clarence Valley and will help local producers increase productivity and profitability while creating a highly skilled workforce which will boost the economy for generations to come.
Mr Williamson also acknowledged members of the Maclean High School Show Cattle team who were present during the announcement, describing them as “the kind of people we’d like to engage in these programs going forward.”
“This announcement is all about investing in the next generation of NSW farmers and ensuing our farmers are getting the workers with the skills they need,” he said.
Under the expanded program, livestock includes beef cattle, dairy, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, honey-bees, other livestock, animal management services used for commercial agricultural production, and pest and disease management for these animals.
Angela Stewart from RuralBiz, an Australian organisation which provides training for farmers and rural communities, was another who welcomed the announcement on March 6, and said the expansion of educational programs will go a long way towards addressing the shortage of workers across agricultural industries and assist land holders.
“If we can get new people in the industry and equip them with skill sets which they can expand and develop and fine tune the skills of existing employees in the industry, they’re great starting points with this investment,” she said.
Ms Stewart highlighted fecal worm egg counting and chemical card accreditation, along with livestock production and livestock health and wellbeing as the main courses RuralBiz will be offering to perspective students.