Location of the Spyglass Beef Research Facility and other new and improved Queensland Government beef research facilities

The purchase of the Spyglass and Lucky Break properties to form the Spyglass Beef Research Facility is part of the Queensland Government's $33 million reinvestment in the beef industry.

The new purpose-designed facility will play a leading role in research and training to advance tropical and subtropical beef production and ecosystem management. These are vital for the future profitability and sustainability of Queensland´s beef industry, which currently earns $4.5 billion each year.

The location of the facility in the Charters Towers district is typical of the extensive breeding systems in North Queensland. This recognises the breeding end of the supply chain as being critical to the productivity and profitability for individual beef businesses and for the industry overall.

The research facility covers 38,221 hectares (94,446 acres), has 13 kilometres of Burdekin River frontage and will comfortably run up to 4000 adult cattle.

The facility will complement the other new Queensland Government state-of-the art research facilities, such as:

• Centre for Advanced Animal Science at The University of Queensland, Gatton
• laboratory facilities at the EcoSciences Precinct, Boggo Road, Dutton Park
• Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains
• Tropical Biosecurity Laboratories at James Cook University, Townsville
• improved facilities at Brian Pastures, Gayndah.