Producer Initiated Research and Development (PIRD) project program

Summary

MLA's Producer Initiated Research and Development (PIRD) project program was a key participatory learning opportunity for producers to conduct local research and development designed to decrease the lag time between research and practice change. PIRDs enabled producer groups to address local problems or challenges that impacted on profitability and sustainability. The program enabled groups of producers to apply for grants for up to 2 year projects to conduct their own research and development to address everyday problems and find practical solutions, to trial new technologies in their own environment or to incorporate new knowledge, skills, technologies into practical, profitable meat business.This project funded operation of the Evaluation Committee and its representation for years 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08. The Committee comprised nominees from the peak councils and was convened twice a year to assess PIRD applications.  Members were paid a sitting fee and travel and accommodation costs for attendance at the meetings. In addition, editorial and design costs to improve the presentation quality of PIRD reports was funded.
​The Evaluation Committee provided timely and transparent selection of PIRDs for the years 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08. The PIRD evaluation committee enabled a robust, independent and transparent process to be applied to the selection of PIRDs. Industry representation on the Committee enabled grass roots input and ensured that selected PIRDs aligned with producer needs. 
Useful linkshttp://www.mla.com.au/Research-and-development/Extension-and-training/Producer-demonstration-sites.