SmartFarm doubt

THE future of the Hamilton Smart Farm site is under a cloud in the absence of a firm commitment from Agriculture minister, Mary-Anne Thomas. $50 million has been cut from the R&D budget on top of 109 job cuts in Agriculture Victoria this year alone. Photo: SUPPLIED.

By Lizzie Hallam

June 03, 2022 | 4:00 PM

FEARS have been mounting over the future of the Hamilton SmartFarm research centre on Mount Napier Road, amid concerns of further staff and funding cuts in agricultural research and development (R&D).

In the absence of a commitment from the State Government, farmers have been worried that critical red meat research at the multimillion-dollar centre would cease altogether.