An influx of new projects valued at almost $4.5m is set to add significant value to South Australia’s sheep and cattle industries.
In addition to this amount, a budget of $925,000 has been allocated to the rebuilding of the dog fence.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven has approved 35 projects to be administered by Livestock SA during the 2022-23 financial year through funding from the Sheep Industry Fund (SIF) and Cattle Industry Fund (CIF).
The biggest investment is coming from the SIF, with Biosecurity SA’s Footrot Management Program receiving $870,000 to reduce the animal welfare issues and economic impact of the spread of footrot in the South Australian sheep industry and to assist sheep producers with virulent footrot to manage the disease.
Other projects covered under the SIF, which has a total value of $3.76m, include farm biosecurity and endemic disease management, lice, wild dog control, pain mitigation and sheep blowfly control.
SIF Chair Ian Rowett said the projects reflected the fund’s investment priorities of animal health, traceability, predator control, advocacy and industry development.
“We are fortunate to have had a 10% increase in revenue through the transaction levy on top of a 13% increase in the previous year, which is significant coming off a serious drought,” he said.
“That means we have been able to support a range of projects which we hope will aid in boosting the profitability and sustainability of South Australian sheep producers.”
The CIF will invest more than $700,000 across nine projects which reflect its priority areas of maintaining market access and securing new markets, efficient and sustainable production, business management and skills development and advocacy.
CIF Chair Penny Schulz said the CIF Board was pleased to fund important projects in partnership with government which will benefit the cattle industry.
“While we do fund a variety of projects from building skills and careers of young people in the industry through to traceability, we are always looking to do more to support the industry’s sustainability and profitability,” she said.
Livestock SA President Joe Keynes said Livestock SA continues to administer both the SIF and CIF on behalf of industry for projects that will benefit the sheep and cattle industries.
“It is important sheep and cattle producers are confident the levies they pay are being invested back into industry to create more productive, profitable and sustainable businesses for them,” he said.
