The SA Sheep Industry Fund exists to support programs that contribute to a profitable and sustainable sheep industry in South Australia. The South Australian sheep levy was established in 1999 following the proclamation of the Primary Industry Funding Schemes Act 1998. This legislation provides South Australian primary industries with a legislative based ability to raise funds within their sector, so they can favourably position themselves in the national and international marketplace.

Under these regulations, all sheep owners in South Australia contribute $0.67 per head to the Sheep Industry Fund when 5 or more sheep are sold for $5 per head or more. The Sheep Industry Fund is invested in biosecurity initiatives, compliance with the National Livestock Identification System, rebuilding and maintaining the dog fence as well as controlling wild dogs, supporting the operation of Livestock SA, and producer and allied industry education programs, including the Sheep Expo and SheepConnect. There are also several novel research projects which the Sheep Industry Fund contributes to. These include increasing twin lamb survival, sterile blowfly programs and pain mitigation research. A full list of projects is available on the Livestock SA website.

To support this goal, South Australia’s sheep industry, through the Sheep Industry Fund Board, have identified the following investment priorities that are the basis for the Fund’s investment:

Animal Health
Traceability
Predator Control
Advocacy
Industry development

This contribution currently comprises 2 parts:

a general contribution of $0.55
a dog fence rebuild contribution of $0.12.

Total levy contributions to the fund are approximately $4,000,000 annually.

Livestock SA is responsible for the administrative functions of the fund and the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development is the signatory. Livestock SA has established a sub-committee of six sheep producers and two independents with sheep industry knowledge to provide advice on the investment of the fund.

The Sheep Industry Fund Board members are:

Ian Rowett – Chair (Marrabel)

Helen Thomas (Manoora)

Jane Kellock (Farrel Flat)

Graham Clothier (Lucindale)

Keith Bolto (Kangaroo Island)

Nette Fischer (Wasleys)

Alex Mcgorman (Sanderston)

Elke Hocking (Lucindale)

Biographies of the Board members are available on the Livestock SA website.

Each year, the Sheep Industry Fund Board calls for project concepts from local service providers that will benefit the SA sheep industry and align with the industry blueprint or strategic plan.

CALL FOR PROJECT CONCEPTS FOR 2024

The SA Sheep Industry Fund Board is calling for project concepts to be pitched at its next meeting on 14 December 2022.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Livestock SA on 8297 2299 or email admin@livestocksa.org.au by 30 November 2022.

Successful pitches will be invited to be developed into full proposals for potential funding in the 2023/24 year.

Tom Cosentino | Executive Officer – Industry Fund Boards