Posted on December 09, 2014

The new South Australian Dairy Industry Fund today (Wednesday, December 10) announced its first call for applications from projects that will benefit the State’s dairy industry.

Applicants have until February 16 2015 to submit concept proposals to the fund, which has been established with proceeds from the sale of SADA Fresh.

“We are greatly looking forward to receiving innovative proposals that offer some exciting opportunities to reinvigorate an industry that’s been vitally important to the State and its economy for generations,” said Fund chair Dennis Mutton.

“Our overarching purpose is to finance projects that directly benefit the South Australian dairy industry and its communities. We are interested in concepts that will improve the productivity, performance, business growth and diversity of the industry,” Mr Mutton said.

“We are particularly keen to receive applications that focus on supporting and encouraging local investment and value-adding, both in terms of new products and opening up new markets here in Australia and overseas. Projects that improve the capacity and resilience of dairy communities to manage change and volatility are also of interest.”

Mr Mutton said the fund board was open to receiving proposals from diverse sectors with a keen interest in adding value to the industry, including research and extension organisations, individuals, private companies, dairy processors and boutique manufacturers, farmer and community groups.

In the first stage of the process, applicants are being asked to provide a brief outline of their concept as an expression of interest. The Fund Board will assess the applications and finalise a short list in early March 2015. Short-listed projects will then be invited to submit more detailed information before funding allocations are decided and announced in April 2015.

The fund will accept proposals for projects seeking up to $20,000 each. The amount available to individual projects is likely to increase in future calls, as revenues from the sale of SADA Fresh accumulate.