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Want to see new management practices and technologies in action? The MLA Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) program gives producers an opportunity to discover and implement new management practices that could improve business profitability, productivity and sustainability.
This hands-on program demonstrates the benefit of best management practices and new technologies on local commercial properties. Working in supportive peer groups, producers gain new skills along with the confidence to apply these learnings to their own business.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) & Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC) Pilot Partnership Producer Demonstration Site Program – Preliminary Applications Closed
The MLA/GRDC Pilot Partnership Producer Demonstration Site Program will support groups of producers to demonstrate, adapt and validate the benefits of integrating new management practices, research and development outputs, and associated skills within the context of their commercial production systems.
MLA and GRDC are calling for preliminary applications for PDS projects related to improving mixed farming enterprise business profitability and productivity that can commence during 2024–2025, addressing the MLA/GRDC Partnership PDS program priorities across the mixed farming regions of Australia.
The annual Levy/Co-contributor PDS project call will be postponed for 2024.
The PDS program successfully supports 65 current projects across 313 sites, valued at over $3.5 million, maximising its current capacity.
Postponing the annual call will provide an opportunity to create efficiencies in administrative processes and review how the annual PDS priority setting could be further integrated into MLA’s bi-annual consultation with the Regional Advisory Committees (RACs).
The postponement of the 2024 project call will allow MLA to consult with and gather feedback from key stakeholders to consider improvements for the future and continued growth of the program.
In addition to the levy and co-contributor PDS projects and project call, MLA has increased the integration of PDS principles into RD&A projects, with over 15 active integrated RD&A PDS projects, to expand the successful methodology.
MLA will continue to promote the outcomes of these projects through our communications channels including the quarterly PDS Updates enewsletter, The Weekly enewsletter and case studies in Feedback magazine, as well as connecting stakeholders to current and completed projects via the PDS search tool.
PDS quick links
Find a PDS near you
This new online search tool allows users to search all active and completed PDS projects. The tool can be used to search for sites by topic and/or state/region of relevance – making the findings of each PDS more accessible and allowing producers to incorporate the outcomes into their own production systems.
What funding is available through the PDS program?
There are two funding options available to producer groups wishing to participate in the PDS program, levy and co-contributor.
Producer groups wishing to engage in a levy PDS project can apply for up to $30,000 per year, for the length of the project.
Groups wishing to engage in a co-contributor PDS project can apply for up to $60,000 per year (plus access fee), for the length of the project. Co-contributor projects require cash investment in the project, which is matched by the MLA Donor Company (MDC). A minimum of 15% of the co-contirbution must be producer invesment (cash).
Refer to the application guidleines and terms of reference for further information on the funding splits available for co-contributor PDS projects.
All producer groups will need to engage a facilitator who is experienced in group coordination and extension, monitoring and evaluation of on-farm practice change and communication and reporting.
What is required to be eligible for a PDS?
Levy
- A plan to establish sites that demonstrate published or completed research outcomes/outputs
- A project concept that is driven by producers and addresses regional PDS priorities set by the Research Advisory Committees – SALRC, NABRC & WALRC. These priorities can be found in the Terms of Reference and are updated each year.
- Minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 6 years project period.
- Minimum of 10 core producers and three sites preferred, flexibility for extensive regions and other projects e.g. genetics
- A suitably skilled facilitator experienced in group coordination and extension, monitoring and evaluation of on-farm practice change and communication and reporting, to oversee the demonstration.
- Active extension and communication activities to extend key messages and learnings beyond the core group.
- A monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) process to demonstrate producer engagement, practice change and benefit to the production businesses and wider industry.
Co-contributor
- A plan to establish sites that demonstrate published or completed research outcomes/outputs
- A project concept that is driven by producers and addresses industry priorities identified in Red Meat 2030 and the MLA Strategic Plan.
- 25% cash contribution from core producers involved in the project.
- Minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 6 years project period.
- Minimum of ten core producers and three sites preferred, flexibility for extensive regions and other projects e.g. genetics
- A suitably skilled facilitator experienced in group coordination and extension, monitoring and evaluation of on-farm practice change and communication and reporting, to oversee the demonstration.
- Active extension and communication activities to extend key messages and learnings beyond the core group.
- A monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) processes to demonstrate producer engagement, practice change and benefit to the production businesses and wider industry.
How does my producer group apply?
MLA calls for the new PDS projects that aim to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of sheep and beef cattle enterprises on an annual basis, with preliminary applications opening in April.
Click here to access key dates and information on the next project call
What is involved throughout the lifetime of a PDS project?
- Development and implementation of a communication plan.
- Development and implementation of a monitoring an evaluation plan.
- Pre and post project surveys of core and observer producer participants.
- Submission of a report on the projects progress and results at six-monthly intervals.
- A final report when the project is complete.
- An annual teleconference between MLA, MLA PDS Coordinator, Producer Group Chair and the PDS facilitator to review progress.
Producer resources
Watch PDS video
Watch this one minute video to find out more about the PDS program and how it benefits producers across Australia.
Watch PDS case study
Interested in participating in a PDS? Find out if it is for you by watching this short video.
PDS webinar – northern producers
Find out how to set yourself up for success in the MLA PDS call. This webinar covers an overview of the PDS program, different funding opportunities and how to submit a proposal.
PDS webinar – southern producers
Find out how to set yourself up for success in the MLA PDS call. Watch now for an overview of the PDS program, different funding opportunities and how to submit a proposal.
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Got an idea for something you'd like to see or trial locally? Producers can apply to MLA for funding to run a PDS. Beef, sheep and goat producers throughout Australia who are interested in running local projects to demonstrate on-farm benefits of research and development findings can apply for funding on the first business day of April each year. |
Sign up to the quarterly PDS update for the latest news and progress on each PDS project. |
Find templates and resources to help manage your PDS. |
| Find out more | Sign up to the PDS mailing list | Access resources |
