Australia's $6.2 billion sheep industry is set to be transformed by the new Cooperative Research Center (CRC) for Sheep Industry Innovation following the signing of a funding agreement with the Australian Government's Department of Education, Science and Training last week.

Under the agreement, the new CRC will receive $35.5 million in cash from the Australian government over seven years, with an additional $20.7 million in cash contributions from the industry. A further $54.7 million will be provided by participants through in-kind contributions of staff and resources.

Chairman of the new CRC, John Keniry, Ph.D., said settlement of the funding agreements meant the new CRC would continue the development and implementation of research undertaken by the highly successful Australian Sheep Industry CRC.

"The new CRC will harness the best researchers to work closely with industry with the aim of dramatically increasing the productivity and profitability of Australia's sheep industry and address the challenge of achieving rapid uptake of new technology in an industry normally cautious about embracing change. It's all about better sheep, better meat and better wool," stated Keniry.

Keniry said the Board had also moved quickly to appoint James Rowe as chief executive officer for the new CRC following a comprehensive national and international search.

Rowe said work on the new CRC had already begun ahead of its launch date on Aug. 22 with all program leaders in place and research teams focused on early delivery in each of the CRC's three program areas: transforming sheep and their management; next generation wool quality; and next generation meat quality.