AUSTRALIAN sheep and goat producer groups will next week be shown how to apply for up to $25,000 over three years to conduct on-farm research projects.

Meat & Livestock Australia is seeking preliminary applications to its Producer Demonstration Sites (PDS) program to validate the on-farm benefits of adopting MLA research findings and technologies.

To help guide producer groups considering applying for the PDS program, MLA is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, October 5 at 12.30pm (eastern daylight saving time).

The webinar will address some of the common mistakes people make in their applications and provide tips for creating a compelling application. It will also examine what activities are and aren’t eligible for funding, and examples of what’s considered a PDS.

The PDS program provides funding of up to $25,000 a year for three years for producer groups to demonstrate, develop and adopt new innovation and on-farm management practices into local farming systems that improve profitability and productivity.

MLA is calling for preliminary applications for producer demonstration sites related to sheep enterprises that align with regional Southern Australia Meat Research Council (SAMRC) and Western Australian Livestock Research Council (WALRC) priorities.

Goat industry applications that focus on improved feedbase utilisation, improved business/herd management and genetic improvement are also being sought.

Program aims to connect innovation with adoption

MLA’s General Manager – Producer Consultation and Adoption, Michael Crowley, said the objective of the PDS program was to shorten the time lag between technological innovation and adoption of practices by producers at a local level.

“MLA is committed to partnering with producer groups to achieve improved business profitability and productivity outcomes.

“The key outcome of a PDS is producer adoption of the demonstrated innovation and management practices resulting in improved business performance,” Mr Crowley said.

“Funding is available for up to six sheep projects and one to two goat projects that are able to commence in early 2017.”

Preliminary PDS applications should be submitted on or before October 21, 2016.

For more information click here.

To register for the webinar click here.

Source: MLA.