CONTENTS

Coordinating Appropriate Research and Development

Outcome:  Dairy Businesses utilising research and development

Project Activities and Achievements:

• Research and Development Workshop
  Adelaide 22nd September 2005   Appendix 19
  
  A workshop was held in September 2005 to generate input into the innovation plan for South Australia for the next 8 years by identifying the key R, D and E areas.  The participants ranged across the whole industry from the CRC for Dairy, Dairy Australia, processors, Dairy SA, SA Dairy Association, research institutes, State Government, consultants and dairy farmers.  The role of the group was to provide input and ideas into the future requirements for research and development to achieve the state plan growth targets, to identify the resources available in the state and to determine priority of various R & D required for both pre and post farm gate.  The ideas from this workshop have been incorporated into the needs analysis.
  
  
• Research and Development Needs Analysis
  Simon Gierke, PIRSA Livestock    Appendix 20
  
  A research and development innovation plan for South Australia was developed as a result of the R & D workshop held in September.  The following principles underpin the development of the Dairy Innovation Plan:
  o The innovation plan encompasses the whole of value chain and include Research Development & Extension.
  o The SA Dairy Innovation Plan will align with Dairy Australia and Dairy SA innovation directions.
  o The identified directions will be based on “biggest bang” for buck and industry priorities.
  
  
• Submission for further funding
  Plugging the Leaky R, D & E pipeline  Appendix 21
  
  There is substantial State and National input into R&D through industry and government partnerships however, the adoption of much of this innovation is relatively poor i.e. the pipe is leaking. What then, are the future institutional arrangements or platforms for adoption of innovation in the livestock industries in SA?   This project aims to investigate alternative platforms and the requirements for establishing these platforms or referring back to the analogy, examining ways of completing the innovation and adoption pipeline.  The benefits of the project are clear. Decision makers will have clear direction and understanding of the principles and requirements to ensure adoption of innovation. If over time the pipeline is completed, the ramifications are substantial. One could expect improvements in the human, social, physical, financial and natural capital of the livestock industries following the establishment of appropriate platforms.
  
  
• Submission for further funding
  Resource not waste - the new dairy effluent paradigm  Appendix 22
  
  A submission has been written in partnership with Dairy SA for funding from the State and Federal Governments for a whole of state effluent management project.  The overall aim of the project is to significantly increase the use of Dairy Shed effluent as a resource through adoption of BMP dairy shed effluent management in the dairy industry across South Australia. Specific objectives include:

o Develop regional guidelines for BMP dairy shed effluent management and reuse

o Provide technical assistance to at least 30% of dairy farmers in the state

o Communicate the potential impacts and improvements in off farm of nutrient movement achievable through BMP and the regional NRM benefits that could be achieved

o Provide assistance through on-ground works funding to farmers to encourage construction of BMP systems on at least 10% of farms

o Evaluation of the farm scale and regional benefits of BMP systems

This submission has been successful.  Over $600,000 of Government funds have been allocated to this State wide effluent project, based on the success of the ADP Effluent project.  The implementation of the project commenced in January 2006.

Financial Analysis