PRODUCERS looking to grow their business and gain a competitive edge through accelerated innovation and adoption of new technologies will be able to access expertise and support to achieve their goals as part of a new MLA Donor Company pilot program.

The use of drones is just one example of innovations to improve on-farm performance eligible for support under the Innovation Fast-Track program.

The Producer Innovation Fast-Track program is an MDC initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of innovations that have the potential to significantly improve farm and value chain performance.

Under the program, producers who are innovators, early adopters, AgTech entrepreneurs or future value chain leaders will be provided with the expertise, co-funding and support to take their business to the next level.

The program is open to working together with producers and producer groups on projects in three key areas:

Innovations to improve on-farm performance, such as:

• digital agriculture, including remote sensing technologies, smart ear tags, drones and data analytics
• rumen energy capture and greenhouse gas reduction
• accelerated genetic gain – northern beef, southern beef, sheep and goats
• integrated parasite management
• next generation grazing and nutritional management, including dual purpose crops
• beyond best practice animal welfare
• soil health and farm innovation networks

Insights and innovations that lead to new products, brands and value chains, including:

• new value chain design enabled by access to new technologies such as mobile abattoirs
• new business models for innovative products

New ventures and start-ups:

• designed to support entrepreneurial producers who see opportunities to launch new business ventures in the AgTech space

MLA Donor Company chief executive Dr Christine Pitt said the program aimed to identify the industry trailblazers and provide the support and expertise required for them to grow their business by innovating faster.

“Producer Innovation Fast-Track can help stakeholders take the next big step by combining their aspirations with our expertise to drive innovation adoption that benefits your business,” Dr Pitt said.

“We will work with producers to refine their objectives and identify the resources, expertise and investment required to develop a strategy to achieve real outcomes.

As well as the ability to co-invest up to 75pc of project costs, MDC can offer future-focussed producers access to:

• the latest R&D and innovations in livestock production
• the technical and business expertise that will make it happen
• market and global insights to underpin new high-value product development
• in-market immersion study tours
• additional resources; and
• participation in networks of like-minded individuals.

MDC will be conducting a roadshow of sessions around the country to provide more information and workshop ideas with interested producers. Following these sessions, interested producers will be able to book a confidential consultation with MDC (on the same day) to further explore their own ideas and objectives.

The events are being held at:

• Armidale, NSW – 28 February
• Albury-Wodonga, NSW/Victoria – 2 March
• Horsham, Victoria – 7 March
• Clare, SA – 9 March
• Esperance, WA – 14 March
• Geraldton, WA – 16 March
• Katherine, NT – 20 March
• Charters Towers, Queensland – 22 March
• Roma, Queensland – 24 March

 Click here to find out more about the program and the events.

Source: MLA

cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars cars