Funding for Qld poultry farm boosts regional development

Inglewood Organic, an organic poultry producer, is one of 14 businesses in Queensland to receive a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant of up to $250,000. The company will use the funding boost to enhance sustainable growth within the organic poultry industry by overcoming supply chain issues and creating up to eight regional jobs.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said Inglewood Organic was one of the 14 businesses in Queensland to receive a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant of up to $250,000 to fund the expansion of their business.

“Inglewood Organic is a family-owned business and Australia’s leading producer of organic, free-range poultry. The severity of drought in Australia has led to a nationwide shortage of Australian grain causing supply chain shortages and inflation on grain prices. Producers have felt the impact of these shortages and depend on grain for stockfeed parcels to feed livestock. As a result, businesses like Inglewood Organic have scaled back on production, limiting the growth and productivity of their business,” said Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries.

Inglewood Organic plans on expanding its operations by establishing its own certified organic grain production. It will utilise existing land by setting up centre pivot irrigation systems and exclusion fencing to ensure that grain is available all year round.

“We know the COVID-19 pandemic has made it tough for a lot of businesses and communities, so these additional jobs will be most welcome,” Furner said.

The funding will help the development of broad-acre irrigated organic crops to boost the company’s supply of organic stockfeed for its poultry business. The project is expected to generate eight jobs directly and five jobs indirectly during the project phase, benefitting the community and local economy as they recover from one of Australia’s worst droughts on record. The project is predicted to increase production of 100,000 kg of chicken per year.

“A boost in production levels will also enable the company to roll out a range of new products targeted towards the largest-growing segment of the organic market in Australia. Inglewood Organics is the largest employer in the local community, and the creation of further jobs and opportunities will continue to benefit the community and local economy,” said Katrina Hobbs, Managing Director.

The RED Grants program offers emerging projects up to $250,000 in co-contributions to build industry and grow employment opportunities across regional Queensland’s agricultural sector. A total of 14 businesses have received $3.34 million under the second round of funding for the RED Grants program; the businesses are expected to create more than 600 jobs across the agricultural sector in regional Queensland.

The RED Grant scheme is administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/eric