The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will sell three of its properties - Toorak, Brigalow and Swan's Lagoon - as part of an overhaul of its livestock research program.
The $32 million overhaul was announced by Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin in Townsville today, where a major biosecurity hub will be established in collaboration with James Cook University.
"As part of the investment, the Department will be employing additional scientists in areas such as reproductive physiology, genetics, animal breeding and welfare," Mr Mulherin said.
He said a $13 million PC3 biosecurity laboratory will be built at the JCU to enable faster diagnosis of devastating diseases such as anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza and hendra virus.
On top of this investment in biosecurity, the Department will invest in a new purpose-designed beef research property in North Queensland's dry tropics, expected to carry 2000 breeders, which will be one of Australia's peak locations for projects to advance beef breeding.
There will also be an upgrade of an existing research property at Brian Pastures (owned by AgForce and leased by DPI&F); an upgrade of the Australian Agricultural College Corporation's Berrigurra property at Blackwater; and an intensive animal production, health and a welfare research facility will be developed at the Centre for Advanced Animal Science at Gatton in partnership with the University of Queensland.
"These facilities will together renew and upgrade Queensland's beef R&D infrastructure," Mr Mulherin said.
"The new dry tropics rangeland research facility will represent typical north Queensland breeder country, making research more relevant to industry.
"The centre will be a key link in the on-going identification and validation of improved beef cattle genetics effecting fertility, meat quality and adaptation.
"This will provide a long term financial boost to the beef industry.
"It will have a major role in investigating the causes and solutions for reproductive inefficiencies such as embryo and new-born calf loss."
AgForce, which was consulted in the policy development, says the redirection of research capital into new and upgraded facilities is a progressive move.
AgForce president John Cotter said proposed changes to beef industry research infrastructure would see an appropriate injection of capital into new facilities that could foster research outcomes for the next generation of productivity gains.
"AgForce received a commitment that any funds realised from the sale of assets would be reinvested, in consultation with industry, and not disappear into consolidated revenue and it was on that basis AgForce agreed to participate in the Fresh Approach process," Mr Cotter said.
"It was clear that many of our existing facilities were aging and badly in need of significant capital upgrades and funding for research, and we are pleased to be involved in reshaping Queensland’s rural research capacities.
"In looking to the future for beef research, new facilities are required including a new cattle property capable of carrying 2000 breeders to undertake the scale of research required to meet the needs of the modern $4 billon Queensland beef industry."
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