Dairy Insight Decides 2004/2005 Funding Portfolio

Dairy InSight

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 6 May 2004

For immediate release

Dairy Insight Decides 2004/2005 Funding Portfolio

Dairy InSight will be investing in 53 new industry good projects in the 2004/2005 year, after its Board confirmed the activities to be funded at its last meeting.

Chairman Ian Robb says Dairy InSight will be investing $43 million (including GST) in 101 projects in 2004/2005. This is an increase from $40.5 million invested in 94 industry good projects in the 2003/2004 year.

Mr Robb says many of the projects from 2003/2004 are being rolled over, including the organisation’s two largest investments in the Animal Health Board’s Tb strategy and the Dexcel extension service.

“It is the second time we have been through the process of calling for funding applications and we have again been impressed by the calibre of the applications and scope of projects.

“The 53 successful projects are for a range of ideas for making improvements to production, farm management or any aspect of dairy farming.”

Mr Robb says Dairy InSight had received 200 applications for industry good projects to fund from June 1 this year, when applications closed in December last year.

From those applications, 23 were eliminated as they did not fit the industry good criteria. The remaining 177 applications were sent to the Independent Advisory Panel, which is made up of our National Programme Leaders who have technical expertise in various areas. These areas include:

- Farm systems

- Animal health, welfare and reproduction

- Environment

- Education

- Forage and feeding

- Extension

- Advocacy and quality

- Promotion

“The high number of applications we did receive meant that we were over subscribed. If we were able, we could probably have spent two or three times the funds available to fund all the good ideas that came forward,” he says.

“A key factor in the review process was to ensure the projects that will receive farmer funding in 2004/2005 complement the 48 projects rolled over from our existing portfolio.”

Dairy InSight has notified the successful applicants since the Board’s April meeting. It is now liaising with the applicants to sign service provider contracts by June this year.

“We will then be in a better position to provide more detail on the specific projects receiving farmer funding,” Mr Robb says.

Meanwhile, information on the 2003/2004 funding portfolio is available on Dairy InSight’s website www.dairyinsight.co.nz. Once the 2004/2005 funding portfolio has been finalised, it will also be placed on the website.

ends