The Queensland Government, Beef Australia and the livestock industry are partnering to develop livestock genetics as a key export for Queensland.
Trade Minister Stephen Robertson said overseas markets had already shown significant interest in Australia’s livestock genetics.
"Queensland is well-known as a competitive producer of world-class beef, exporting more than $3 billion in beef commodities to more than 100 countries each year," Mr Robertson said.
"Selling our genetics to overseas buyers is a value-added service that appeals to livestock operators wanting to enhance the performance of their stock.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland currently exports genetics and live breeding animals throughout Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, with potential export opportunities to Eastern Europe.
Minister for Primary Industries Fisheries, Rural and regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said Queensland had the unique advantage of a diverse climate that allowed the production of livestock and genetics suitable for any tropical location in the world.
"Queensland producers have bred stock specifically adapted to the diversity of the region’s climate," Mr Mulherin said.
"Having stock that are well adapted to the environment they will enter is vital for the successful production of top quality beef and genetics.
"Australia’s isolation and stringent biosecurity are also key advantages, helping to keep us free from the world’s serious cattle diseases, and therefore making us the obvious choice for sourcing healthy, quality livestock."
Mr Robertson said the first step in the new marketing strategy was to form an export working group to coordinate promotion of Queensland’s genetics products to the world.
"Activities are already underway to develop a marketing strategy, with industry stakeholders meeting to discuss ideas for coordinated promotion,” Mr Robertson said.
"Our ultimate goal would be to match exports of our commercial beef industry with beef breeding seedstock sales.
"We’re keen to develop a portfolio of livestock genetic exports including semen, live cattle for breeding, and accompanying technical services to demonstrate how we can value add to our customers’ production systems.
"The diversity of our gene pool and the state-of-the-art facilities, research and technology we have available are strong selling points for buyers we can capitalise on.”