Posted on May 01, 2014

A well known figure in South Australian agriculture with vast experience in the research and development sector has been appointed inaugural chair of the new fund being established to help secure the future viability of the State’s dairy industry. Mr Dennis Mutton (pictured left) will lead a small board selected for its specialist expertise to manage profits generated by the sale of SADA Fresh.

Announcing the appointment today, SADA President David Basham said the organisation was extremely pleased Mr Mutton had agreed to take on chairing the fund during its crucial set-up phase. A former chief executive of South Australia’s primary industries department, Mr Mutton is Chair of the CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork and BioInnovation SA, and a member of the Premier’s Science and Industry Council.

“We could not think of a better person to lead it, and we feel very honoured that he has offered to waive sitting fees as part of his contribution to what he sees as an exciting and ground-breaking initiative,” Mr Basham said.

Mr Mutton said he agreed to become involved with the fund because he was impressed by the concept and its potential to make a genuine difference to the South Australian dairy industry. “This is an industry association showing significant initiative and leadership. SADA Fresh provides the opportunity to demonstrate that by working collectively farmers can secure a more viable future. They are not sitting back and saying ‘woe is us’; they are doing something pro-active to generate opportunities and a return on investment,” he said.

Mr Mutton’s brief is to make sure the fund is invested in a way that maximises returns to the local dairy industry. Over the coming months this will involve helping to develop clear guidelines and protocols for the allocation process, including identifying research and development priorities, and criteria for selecting projects.

SADA’s intends to appoint other board members over the coming weeks. Legal and financial arrangements for the fund will be formalised by the start of the new financial year, with enough money likely to be in hand to call for project applications before the brand celebrates its first anniversary.