New program highlights an appetite for innovation
09 June 2017
In a sign of the growing appetite of Australian red meat producers to invest in innovation and adopt new technologies, MLA Donor Company (MDC) has received an overwhelming level of interest in its recently announced Producer Innovation Fast-Track Program.
The MDC initiative – announced earlier this year – is designed to accelerate the adoption of innovations and initiatives that have the ability to improve farm and value chain performance by providing red meat producers or producer groups with the expertise, co-funding and support to take their business to the next level.
Following a series of information sessions and workshops around the country, MDC has received almost 90 applications.
MDC CEO Dr Christine Pitt said the positive interest in the new program highlighted the number of producers who are looking to grow and develop their businesses through cutting edge innovation and adoption of new technologies.
“We received such a high level of interest in the program and this has resulted in far more applications than originally anticipated,” Dr Pitt said.
“This is a strong endorsement of the program and shows the appetite amongst producers to be actively engaged in initiatives that accelerate innovation for the red meat industry.
“Innovation Fast-Track is designed to help producers take the next big step by combining their ideas and aspirations with our expertise to drive innovation and adoption that benefits farm businesses and the wider red meat value chain.”
Dr Pitt said that given the level of interest in the program, MDC had extended its review process to ensure all applications are thoroughly considered and to allow MDC to develop a number of options to support the many interesting project concepts received.
“We are excited by the proposals we have received and we will review all opportunities to support these through the Producer Innovation Fast-Track Program or a similar MDC model,” Dr Pitt said.
“MDC provides a unique opportunity and vehicle for those across the whole red meat value chain – particularly producers – to access funds to co-invest as they seek to drive innovation in our sector.
“We know this space is changing rapidly due to enormous global interest in food and agriculture – and MDC is committed to putting Australia’s red meat and livestock sector at the forefront.”
To find out more about the Producer Innovation Fast-Track Program and MDC more broadly, please visit www.mla.com.au/mdc
