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.

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.

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

• Example terms of reference.
• Preliminary application guidelines.
• MER guidelines.
• Co-contributor cashflow FAQ.

• 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.