Impact of Drought on the Queensland Beef Industry: A Research Project

This research project investigates the significant impact of drought on the Queensland beef industry. The report begins with an introduction detailing the industry's importance and the nature of drought, followed by a comprehensive literature review exploring existing research on the topic, includin...Read More

Research project Data
analysis and results

Executive Summary
Main purpose of this research project is to identify the impact of drought on the beef
industry in Queensland. This is a main aim and for attaining this, different activities were
followed by investigator. Introduction is a first activity that was completed by explaining the
research title, developing research aim and objectives etc. This helped in doing of second activity
that was literature review. This activity was completed by collecting secondary information
through books, articles, publication research etc. This activity helped in fulfilment of research
gap and also in accomplishment of research objectives. Research methodology is the main
activity that was completed by using secondary method of data collection. This helped in
accomplishment of aim and each objective of the research. Findings are completed by analysing
information collected for literature review. Thematic analysis is a research instrument used for
evaluating secondary information. In this method, different themes are created according to the
research question. Conclusion and recommendation are last part of the research project that was
completed by explaining information of entire activity in clear or short manner. Some
recommendations are given for improving research title and achieving research objectives.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................2
Research Topic: impact of drought on the beef industry in Queensland.........................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Description of research methodology..............................................................................................5
Literature review:.............................................................................................................................6
Analysis and Results:.....................................................................................................................12
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................15
Recommendations .........................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................18

Research Topic: impact of drought on the beef industry in Queensland
INTRODUCTION
Detailed introduction about the Queensland beef industries and the impacts of droughts
Drought refers to a prolonged, abnormally is a dry period wherein the amount of water is
less and insufficient in order to meet normal use. It can be measured by different ways but also
meteorologists evaluate the extent and severity of drought in relation to deficiencies in rainfall.
As rainfall deficit occurs in case an area's total rainfall is less than in over a period as compared
to the average for that period. In relation to this, the drought has significant contractionary
impact on the economy of the nation (Pahl and et. al., 2016). It also have directly reduced
agriculture employment around 100000 people. Along with this, it is also related with reduction
in production that has also contributes in increasing the food prices. In addition to this, drought
refers to the long and dry period in which there is no sufficient water over the area to meet
people's needs. It is also extreme climatic events that have put long lasting effects over the
people, plan and animals as well. Furthermore, it also affects the overall national economy
because of poor and ineffective farming productivity. It also increases the possibilities of
bushfire and dust storms that affect the living standard of people. In relation to the agricultural
industries it have long term effects as it disrupt cropping programs, reduces breeding stocks.
Drought also leads to serious environmental damages including soil erosion and vegetation loss.
Apart from this, droughts are also considered as a part of life for rural area that can arise
anywhere at any time that put its huge impact over the farmer and their farming activities.
Queensland accounts for one of the largest herd of beef cattle in Australia and as the
largest producer and exporter of beef across the various parts in the nation (Phelps and Kelly,
2019). Queensland is a well-known state in Australia, which is covering the continent’s north-
east and having a coastline stretching nearly 7,000km. Apart from this, the Beef Industry also
forms a major part of total production of livestock industries around 83% of total production in
Queensland. Queensland accounts for the largest herd of beef cattle of Australia and is
considered as the largest producer, as well as exporter of beef across the nation. It has been
observed that Beef cattle production contributes to 83% of the gross value of overall production
of the livestock industries in Queensland (Queensland Government, 2010). However, the recent
survey has reflected that Queensland farmers have been suffering heavy losses due to conditions
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of drought which has resulted in half of the farmers losing their annual income and 60% of the
farmers have been receiving lesser amount of their total potential of water supply. Therefore,
there is a need for the governments at all levels to collaborate in relation to the development of a
sustainable approach for managing this issue (Beef Central, 2018).
Aims and objectives of research
This research provide wider scope to to investigator because it explore the impact of
drought on the beef industry in Queensland. It help in evaluating different aspects related with
economic impact of droughts over the Beef industry in Queensland. In addition of this, it also
carried out to analyse the alternative strategies that can be utilised to eliminate the economic
impact of drought in the Queensland beef industry. All these are the aspects that researcher is
evaluated within the investigation through which investigator can enhance their knowledge
about the same.
Research aim
The main aim of current investigation is, “To evaluate about the impact of drought on
the beef industry in Queensland”.
Objectives of research
The main objectives associated with current research work are listed as below:
 To determine about the economic impacts of drought on the Queensland Beef Industry.
 To evaluate about the drought mitigation and management strategies currently being used in
the beef sector.
 To identify some of the additional or alternative strategies that could be utilised to minimise
the economic impact of drought in the Queensland Beef Industry.
Rational for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic is rationale as it facilitates and leads out a better
understanding about the economic impacts of drought on the Queensland Beef Industry to
facilitate analysis of effective strategies to ensure effective drought mitigation and management
strategies. Thus, current study is crucial and vital from the view point of Beef Industry as it lead
to evaluation of some additional or alternative strategies that could be utilised to minimise the
economic impact of drought in the Queensland Beef Industry (Cullen And et. al., 2016). Further,
selection of current research topic is also rationale from personal interest and academic view
point of researcher to improve understanding and enhance managerial skills. In addition to this,
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current investigation is also effective for investigator in enhancement of their skills and
knowledge on the basis of specified topic. This can be beneficial in improving the chances of
attaining positive and reliable outcomes at the end of the investigation.
Research questions
This section of investigation is also crucial as it is highly based over the research
objectives. Under this, each and every question includes specific issue that is going to addressed
within the research to implement an appropriate results. On the basis of different research
questions, literature review is carried out to acquire detailed analysis. For better understanding,
there are some crucial Research questions are as follows:
The main issues and questions which are to be evaluated and analysed under current study
are provided as below:
 What are the economic impacts of drought on the Queensland Beef Industry?
 What are the drought mitigation and management strategies currently being used in the beef
sector?
 Are there additional or alternative strategies that could be utilised to minimise the economic
impact of drought in the Queensland Beef Industry?
Background of the research
Current investigation is based on the impact of drought on the Queensland beef industry.
In this, drought refers to the period of time where there is no rainfall, and as a result, there is a
shortage of water that put negative impact over the economy of nation. In addition to this,
Queensland is also considered as a tropical biome which is extreme hot and raining. In some
area of Queensland desert there is no enough rainfall that may affect over the beef industry and
also reduce the employment of farmers. Basically, the rainfall decline is extremely high in the
area of Queensland (Hunter, Kennedy and Sparke, 2019). Along with this, drought period in
Australia have been going since 2017 to 2018 and as per Australian bureau of meteorology, the
beef industry and community is also recovering. Due to droughts in Queensland, farmers have
very less money and their crops also destroys. Cattle farmers spend more money on water and
feed for their animals just because they couldn't grow grass in drought. The businesses, which
depends on farming also lose growth when drought highly damage the crops and live stocks.
Research gap: This refers to a missing or insufficient information about the topic in
previous study. In current investigation, main gap is the study in the impact of drought on the
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beef industry in Queensland. In previous investigation, there were data available regarding the
consequence of drought on the beef industry within Queensland. In previous research, there are
sufficient information available regarding the impact of drought on the Queensland Beef
industry, but there were lack of data regarding the economic impacts of drought on the
Queensland Beef Industry. For example: By understanding the economic impacts of drought on
Queensland’s beef sector, the Queensland Government could make more informed decision
regarding policy and the allocation of funding for activities designed to mitigate and managed
drought. This is a main gap and for overcoming this, research questions will be described in
literature review section.
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Description of research methodology
This accounts for a most vital section of a research project that basically tends and provide
information about that the proposed method and set of approaches which are used by
investigator to perform a study. Research methodology sets out a systematic way to identify and
adopt a most viable and effective procedure for collection, analysis and interrelation of facts and
data which are relevant to the selected topic (Daniel and Harland, 2017). This research has been
presented using qualitative research method an inductive approach, wherein the information
from specific observation has been used for obtaining generalised conclusions. In addition to
this, secondary data collection method has been used in this research assignment for addressing
the research question in an effective manner. The secondary data collection method is based on
the use of existing sources of information such as books, journals, reports, and websites, for
arriving at meaningful conclusions (Mohajan, 2018). In this context, this research has been
incorporated using different external sources as a part of secondary research including academic
journals, government websites, and online articles. The data gathered through secondary sources
has been analysed using thematic analysis method by constructing different themes on the basis
of research questions. The use of secondary research has been beneficial in enhancing the
authenticity and reliability of the information presented in the research.
Choices of method- As the nature of current study is seemed to be theoretical and in-depth
information is required to achieve a specific and generalised conclusion, use of qualitative
method of research is most appropriate and justifiable. Utilisation of qualitative method of
research made for current investigation as it support collection of theoretical and in-depth
information along with facilitating better understanding about nature and behaviour of people to
reach a more generalised and viable set of conclusion. Further, adoption of qualitative nature of
research method also lead to enhanced insight and evaluation of attitude and behaviour of
individuals to get better theoretical information to achieve set objectives.
Data Collection- In order to gather information, there are various methods and sources that
can be used in an investigation. This is the reason that researcher is responsible for selecting an
appropriate one so that reliable data can be easily collected and at the same time, helps to draw
valid conclusion. Basically there are two main sources of data collection comprises of primary
and secondary sources from where data could be gathered (af Wåhlberg, 2017). With regard to
current study, data would be only gathered from secondary sources as it lees time consuming
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and complex and also facilities better support and understanding about specific topic through
analysis of relevant academic journals, government websites, and online articles and other
literature to address set research questions and objectives in a better manner. In addition to this,
secondary method of data collection also provides detailed analysis on the basis of research
topic through which investigator can evaluate the particular issue present in the study. By using
this method, investigator acquire information from view points of different authors on the basis
of specified research questions to draw a meaningful conclusion. The main reason behind
selecting secondary data is that it provide detailed analysis on the basis of impact of drought on
the beef industry in Queensland. In this, researcher includes previous studies and articles which
were based on drought and its impact over the beef industry in Queensland.
Data analysis: It is crucial for researcher to effectively analysis all the collected data
that may assist in taking reliable and appropriate judgement at the end of the study (Dumay and
Cai,, 2015). Mainly, it is considered as an effective process of examining, cleansing,
transforming and at the same time also modelling data with the aim of discovering all the
necessary information that directly contributes in drawing a valid conclusion and also to make
effective decision. In order to analyse all the collected data, researcher will use thematic
analysis. The main reason behind selecting this method is that it helps in analysing qualitative
data. In this, investigator develop various themes on the basis of research questions that may
assist in improving the possibilities of attaining reliable and authentic results within the
investigation that make it more valid in nature.
Literature review:
Literature review introduces to the essential and systematic process of gathering
secondary information from various sources including books, articles, magazines, journals,
publication research and many sources relevant to the current study. The main purpose or
motive of literature review is to determine the research gap in previous investigation. According
to the present investigation, main gap of the study is the impact of drought on the beef industry
in Queensland. In previous investigations, there were data available regarding the impact of
drought but there were mission and insufficient information regarding the economic impacts of
drought on the Queensland Beef Industry. This is a main gap and in order to overcome this gap,
research questions will be used by researcher. These are:
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What are the economic impacts of drought on the Queensland Beef Industry?
As per the view presented by Hay (2020), drought is a time period where there is less to
no rain fall and an output of this, a shortfall of water. It is defined as a prolonged abnormally dry
period of time when the quantity of water available is not sufficient to meet normal use. It can
be measured in different manner, but meteorologists manage the extent as well as severity of
drought in the way of rainfall deficiencies. It has been determined that in Queensland, rainfall
decline is high that directly impact on beef industry. According to the information presented by
Australian bureau of meteorology, period of drought in Australia has been on-going since the
year of 2017 to 2018 and also the beef sector is still recovering. The issues in Queensland
farmers are destroying of crops, thus results in financial loss. Drought has substantial, direct
impacts on the economy of Australia. Drought destroys crops, reduces livestock numbers, and
outputs in soil erosion. In the date of 17 August 2020, 41 council and 4 part council areas were
declared drought. These declarations show around 67.4 percentage of the land area within
Queensland (Thompson and et. al., 2020). Therefore, drought has direct impact on the Australia
economy by decreasing the livestock number.
According to Bowen and et. al., (2020), local loss of production due to drought has
flow-on effects to local processing, regional employment and other dependent industries as well
as to both domestic food prices and also export earnings. Due to drought, slaughter has rise up
to approximately 8.4 million head to accommodate less meat per carcass. Weights of Carcass
have dropped to around 283 kg/head and also the total manufacture of beef has dropped to about
2.4 million tonnes CWT. Exports of Beef have reached to roughly 1.19 million tonnes, because
the weight has dropped per carcass, they have had to kill more. China has been a key pillar in
the beef market. The Australian dollar reaching an all-time lower cost at 67 cents per US dollar
(as of October 1st) which is making Australian beef more affordable. Female slaughter has risen
due to lack of beef and need more slaughter (Davis, 2020). Drought has direct impact on the
broader of Australian economy at present lesser than in earliest decades, largely as of farming
shown a littler proportion of the Australian economy than it once did. Along with this, in the
1960s, farm product accounted for approximately 12.5% of Australia’s gross domestic product
(Klemm, Briske and Reeves, 2020). In addition, Climate change projections predicts seasonal
rainfall within southern Australia will continue to decrease and that temperatures will go on to
rise, causing the time spent in drought to maximise in the future.
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Illustration 1: Economic impacts of drought on the Queensland Beef Industry
(Source: Economic impacts of drought on the Queensland Beef Industry, 2018)
§
Interpretation: From the above stated graph, it has been interpreted that drought has
direct and negative impact on the economy of Australia. As at the end of June, an evidence $6.6
billion was held in these deposits that highly reflect the record level of agricultural income
(more than $60b) generated in 2017.
What are the drought mitigation and management strategies currently being used in the beef sector?
According to the Dixon and et. al., (2020), in order to mitigate drought, there are
different roles played by the government. There are provision of water infrastructure via major
dams and pipelines in Europe and USA, provision of money to manufacturer of beef has been
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done in Europe and USA since 1945, provision of regulation to make sure that markets provide
farmers a fair price in Europe and USA, provision of roads, rail and port facilities for movement
of stock as well as produce in Europe and USA etc. These are major roles played by government
that helps to the Beef industry of Queensland. Along with this, droughts are frequently
unpredictable, they are inescapable in different regions, so long-term farm as well as ranch
management must cover proper planning and should thought of how drought will impact the
whole system such as plants, water sources and livestock. The Department of Agriculture as
well as Fisheries (DAF) assist primary producers to manage their business by offering a range of
drought services including financial assistance, livestock nutrition and animal welfare
information and business management strategies. It is essential for Beef industry to have a
drought plan within a place that determines which group of livestock will be de-stocked first, if
requires. In order to decrease livestock numbers to match supply of forage may include: sending
animals to leased pastures in different locations where forage and moisture production has not
been affected by drought, consider limiting retention of replacement heifers, yearlings may be
marketed earlier than originally planned, the cow herd may be dead earlier and more heavily
than natural including less productive cows, poor temperament, late calves and older cattle etc.
There are some management strategies that will be essential and important in managing and
mitigating of droughts. These are explained as below:
Existing Forage Resources: When a drought pass, the advantage of a rotational grazing
system will be specifically evident as plants require maximum period of time to recover when it
is dry. Along with this, grazed plants enhance their growth, their capability to renew their root
technique slows as well. In the period of a drought, grazing plans must be flexible, adequate to
increase time of rest when possible (Watter, 2020). Grazing strategy to follow during a drought
is combining animal's group. This will helps in concentrating of maximum number of animals
within a single herd which reduce the numbers of pastures or paddocks being applied at any
single time period. The output will be increased in the rest period of time for the paddocks that
the animals have been removed from.
Accessing Additional Forage – Crops and Alternative Feeds: Inaugurating annuals as
an emergency origin of forage to addendum perennial pastures that may be an effective option
during time period of drought. Along with this, Spring-seeded winter annuals, which will remain
vegetative throughout the summer as well as responding with development to any rain showers
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that do happen. Sitting down as well as working via risk analysis will be well time spend. Along
with this, it is essential for Beef industry to access another forage.
Are there additional or alternative strategies that could be utilised to minimise the economic impact
of drought in the Queensland Beef Industry?
According to the viewpoint of Bowen, Chudleigh, and Phelps, (2020), careful
consideration means are provided to management which are affecting the soil and pastures
which is the primary resource of stock management. There different ways of measuring the
stock management so that droughts cannot harm the beef industry within Queensland. Some of
the measures are explained in the following paragraphs
Reduction in herd numbers – It is essential for cattle to remain on property and get effective
feeding and water supply. According to various researches held in south west, it is concluded
that 90% of feed supply is available by end of March and winter rain can cause herbage within
Southern Queensland. This can help in breaking droughts providing benefit to the beef industry.
Sale - Selling the whole herd is never an option for managing stock sale. There is requirement of
producing breeding herd by managing normal sale cattle and conserving the fodder reserves,
purchased feeds and custom game feeding (Atkinson and et. al., 2020).
Agistment - Cattle are sometimes neglected and lost. There is need of increasing drought
progresses for proper management of preserving the bulk of breeders and restoring normal
production after drought.
Strategic weaning – In context of Australian drought, there are several producing milk which
are rapidly declining due to the body reserves of cows. The calf are involved in driving some
benefits which can became proper decisions developed for making relation to the year and age
of calf. There are various prospects for late and early summer storms so that warrant should be
provided to hand feeding cows with young calves.
Herd segmentation - Several breeders and young stock are involved in having strong dry cattle
which can become supplement feed. Trout feeding is expensive and it is ensured that feeding is
directly provided to the needy animals as soon as possible. There are valuable classes of cattle
which are segregated and given effective treatments so that they can be healthy.
Opportunity feedlots – There is an establishment of opportunity feedlots so that 20 cattle
properties can resist the effects of drought and managing them for short period. There is removal
of growing cattle by the system which minimises overall stocking rate.
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Utilisation of paddock feeds – There are some areas where cattle do not graze because there is
no grazing point. There is dry feed which is motivated and encouraged by supplementary
feeding which can be an attractant for full hand feeding. There is need of having effective water
facilities so that areas are worth enough to maintain soil erosion as well as minimise long term
productivity.
Attention to water supplies- There are various surface of water which are represented as death
trap for drought in Queensland. It is considered that there are various fencing of water hole
which can be known as pumping units. There are several bores which are required to be
regularly checked for ensuring that there is adequate water supply and they are managed
properly for prolonged periods.
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Analysis and Results:
This section also plays a significant role in undertaking entire research activities as it provide
proper understanding as well as analysis of collected information. This can be support in
evaluating the aspects that is more effective in drawing a valid conclusion within the research.
In relation to this, it is also based on the data analysis in which researcher set themes on the
basis of literature review to analyse collected information. With the assistance of this, positive
and reliable outcomes can be easily attained and at the same time, it helps to make an successful
investigation along with accurate results.
Theme 1: Economic impacts of drought on the Queensland Beef Industry
As per preceding review of literature it has been analysed that, drought has direct or
substantial influence over the Australian economy as it reduce livestock numbers, destroys
crops and as a result in soil erosion and losses as well. Mainly, the drought's impact is far
reaching and there is less sufficient water and food available for the people and livestock are
also low. In addition to this, wildlife have also affected through the drought due to even fewer
resources. As Queensland is one of the largest suppliers of beef products in Australia, it is also
renowned for manufacturing as well as producing high quality and safe beef products. Along
with this, Queensland farmers has also revealed and almost half had lost more than half their
annual income is less because of drought. Around 60% had less than half potential water supply
over that place. Additionally, assistance for drought-affected people doing it hard and a
maintenance of national dryness policy to present better long-term outcomes. Contact of the
dryness with the immense number of Queensland’s cattle and sheep manufacturer moving much
lower than farm animal numbers and effect show almost a one-fourth of the state’s grain change
not planting a crop. Drought has a huge impact on the Australian agriculture and also extended
dry period that recurring features. This is the reason that government needs to includes
politicians at every level and keep them together along with industry (Barker, 2019). This will
work as a sustainable approach that helps in managing the issue of drought now and into the
future. In addition to this, local loss of production has also flow on effects for the regional
employment and local processing and another dependent industries. Furthermore, drought has
crucial and significant social impact for the economy and rural communities. Since the 1980s,
the impact was partly ameliorated by real farm incomes that reaching the higher level to the
prior to the issue of drought. As the scale of drought led the crucial economic disruption directly
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affect the economy condition of the nation. It is greater than the size of the specific farm sector.
With the summarisation of economic effects of the drought, gross domestic products fell by
around 24.3% in the year of 2003 and rural exports were fell by approximately 26.6% and at the
same time income of agricultural and beef industries fell by 46.2%. In addition to this, the
drought is estimated that it have put its negative impact over the agricultural activities as it also
reduced agricultural employment by around 100000 people. Overall performance of economy,
the rural and regional of Australia has also improved significantly during 2003 to 2004. It also
reflects the contribution in gaining quality production of beef in Queensland. Apart from this,
livestock and beef enterprises are also affected by the drought as it will take some more time for
appropriate recover. Farm animal prices stay high, especially for prime breeding stock. As a
result cattle numbers are proposed by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource
Economics (ABARE) to proceeds several years to recover from the dryness. In relation to this,
insufficient water retention in many areas has led to a decrease in planting of water summer
harvest and also seriously affected farming relying on irrigated grassland. Agriculture
manufacture was also affected by drought as due to less or insufficient water, as a result they fail
in producing quality products and crops.
Theme 2: Drought mitigation and management strategies currently being used in the beef
sector
From the above discussed literature review it has been evaluated that, the government of
Queensland and Australian government also helping in relation to the drought struck farmers
with appropriate subsidies for the transport of fodder, livestock and water as well. In order to
fix this issue, government take action and at the same time also formulate the same by shorter
showers water garden when the sun gone down (Lan and David 2004). Along with this, there are
some key measures that would support economy from the drought and also prepare for future
drought events such as:
 Government of Queensland provide relief from council rate and at the same time also
leasehold land rent.
 Includes farm water investment scheme for farmers and beef industry that including
desisting of dams and also support to build water storage that help them in quality beef
production.
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 Involvement of evaluation tools for land, climate, water and weather to protect people,
animal form drought.
Queensland and Australia necessarily an permanent drought policy and have planned an
‘Agricultural Business Cycle’ formulation in order to assist move governments from mainly
responding in situation and to authorise producers to continually better manage the impacts of
climate risks across their business.” Apart from this, Queensland has Australia's largest beef
cattle animal group and is the country largest manufacturer and exporter of beef cattle. The joint
gross value of Queensland’s beef cattle production as well as meat process sectors is awaited to
be worth an approximation $4.5 billion in 2009–10 (Gillespie and Ariyawardana, 2020). In
addition to this, another way and strategy that can be used is Advancement of technology. As,
technical innovations are being inform to improve the ratio of beef manufacture enterprise,
including National Livestock Identification System and technology for monitoring individual
beasts with regard to weight indefinite quantity and performance as well.
Theme 3: Alternative strategies that could be utilised to minimise the economic impact of
drought in the Queensland Beef Industry
From the above discussed review of literature it has been evaluated that, In the
Queensland Beef Industry, the drought has a very big impact due to which the industry has to
suffer a lot on the different fronts. Drought creates an impact on the industry as a whole. Due to
this reason, there is a requirement for the industry to apply different types of strategies so that it
is able to sustain effectively.
Proper management of finances- There is a requirement for proper management of
finances in an effective manner (Gomiero, 2016). This can help any industry. The Queensland
Beef Industry needs to keep a proper management of finances so that it is able to sustain the
impact which is created by the Queensland Beef Industry. This can be done by the industry by
keeping a proper provision of funds for the drought situation so that it is able to cope up with the
situation without problems and issues. The industry can keep extra provisions of the funds for
dealing effectively with this situation. Also the requirement is to allocate the required funds for
the different processes so that they can function in the right manner.
Reduction in herd numbers- The herd numbers can be reduced so that the impact of
drought can be sustained by Queensland Beef Industry. This is so because the maintenance of
cattle can become quite costly for the firms which are operating in the industry and by reducing
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their numbers they can ensure a reduction in their costs which will help them during the
drought.
Herd segregation- Segregating the herd can be useful for the firms in the industry as
they convey more attention on the younger cattle rather than the older ones. This can be helpful
for Queensland Beef Industry to be able to sustain in the drought which can create an impact on
them.
Use of dry feed- Dry feed can be given to the cattle instead of wet feed so that the
reduction in the costs can be made in the drought season (Keairns, Darton and Irabien, 2016).
For the Queensland Beef Industry, this can be especially helpful particularly during this season
if they make use of this strategy.
Government policy- The government has to take significant actions so that suitable
alterations are made to its policy for the purpose of helping the industry in dealing with drought-
like situation. For the Queensland Beef Industry, the government can frame specific policy so
that it can be helped when it faces the situation of drought. Financial and Non-Financial
assistance can be provided by the government to the industry so that it can function without
facing problems and issues.
Conclusion
From the above mentioned findings, it has been concluded that droughts has negative
impact on the beef industry in Queensland. This increases unemployment and also reduce the
salary of farmers. This has negative or unfavourable impact on the Economy of Australia. As
shown by the information above, the beef sector has been impacted because of drought. It has
been determined that, drought reduced the employment that turn to effect of society. The current
drought crosswise much of eastern Australia has demonstrated the dramatic impacts that climate
variability can directly have on farm organisation and also households. Drought has also revived
long-standing discussions in all over the emerging impacts of climate change on agriculture.
Secondary method of data collection was used for gathering secondary data about the
impact of drought on the beef industry in Queensland. There are also different types of
methodologies used such as inductive approach, interpretivisim, research philosophy,
longitudinal time approach, literature review etc. These are useful and valuable methodologies
because these helped investigator in gathering of qualitative or secondary information within
minimum time period. It also supports the researcher in attaining of each objective of the
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investigation in successful and systematic manner. Along with this, within the help of research
questions, research gap also fulfilled that result in attainment of research aim and objectives as
well as completion of full project systematically.
It has been analysed that Queensland is Australia's biggest supplier of beef products,
famed for manufacturing high quality as well as safe beef products, and also using the best
animal ethics practices in the world. Different ways used by minimising the economic impact of
droughts on beef industry. These are reduction in herd numbers, sales, strategic weaning, herd
segmentation opportunity feed, lots attention to water supplies etc. These are important and
essential ways that helps beef industry in reducing the economic impact.
Recommendations
From the above mentioned information or findings, it has been determined that drought
has direct impact on Queensland's beef industry. There are some recommendations that will be
explained as below:
Farmers should engage with their stakeholders: When the businesses are in distress,
number of farmers shut down, not wanting to let in they may be defecting or they are in trouble.
It has been witness to a various great results with distressed farms, even when their liability is
far bigger than the importance of the property. The core ingredient of development was the
farmer working with the banking concern on a joint solution, such as accessing bank drought
assistance packages. This is significant for beef industry to engage their all stakeholders in the
production and manufacturing of beef. Stakeholders includes meat producer organisations,
governmental agencies with direct influence on meat production. They ganage more because
they are the main part within beef industry.
Better solutions to solve the problem of drought: There are various ways that must be
followed by beef industry for solving the issue of droughts. These ways are desalination of
water, rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, harvesting water from the air, crop engineering,
solar pumps, recycling organic waste etc. These are considered more effective and essential
ways for overcoming the issue of droughts. Therefore, Queensland must follow all these ways
effectively that results in decreasing of droughts. This strategy will help them by reducing the
negative effect of drought on beef industry which is implemented by government.
Working with farmers with difficult time: This is another and essential strategy for beef
industry. There are different impacts of droughts on farmers which are defined as below:
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 Disappearing pastures force farmers in the marketplace to purchase feed that is normally
only economic when followed for aggravated farming operations i.e. feedlots. Along
with this, For grazing place, it only keep the livestock, and is not profitable.
 Specifically, mortality rates rise, stock lose condition and surviving animals have less
weights as well as deliver minimum returns to farmers.
These are major issues that faced by farmers due to droughts. Therefore, it is the role and
responsibility of beef industry to work with farmers. This will helps in reduction of the negative
effect of droughts on farmers.
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