All sheep owners in South Australia contribute $0.55 per head to the Sheep Industry Fund when 5 or more sheep are sold for $5 per head or more.
The Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development is the administrator of the Sheep Industry Fund. The South Australian Sheep Advisory Group makes recommendations to the minister on spending priorities for the Fund.
Expressions of Interest 2019-2020 open
The South Australian Sheep Group (SASAG) invites Expressions of Interest for sheep industry projects that will provide benefits to the state’s sheep (wool & meat) industries.
Contributing to the fund
The sheep seller is responsible for paying contributions to the Fund unless a collection agent is involved.
Collection agents include:
- stock agents
- abattoirs
- butchers.
Collection agents are responsible for contributing to the fund when they are involved in a sale.
Sheep vendors must confirm that the collection agent has made a contribution as they may become ineligible to take part in programs sponsored by the Sheep Industry Fund if the contribution has not been forwarded.
Sheep Industry Fund Approved 2018-19 Projects
The Minister has approved the release of $3.12 million from the Sheep Industry Fund in 2018-19 for projects to benefit South Australia’s sheep industry as recommended by the SA Sheep Advisory Group as follows:
Animal Health, Surveillance & Traceability ($2,186,849)
- Footrot Management Program - $718,905
- Enhanced Abattoir Surveillance (EAS) Program - $488,832
- Johne’s Disease Management Program - Sheep (OJD) - $453,472
- National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Compliance Program - Sheep - $356,932
- Sheep Lice Management Program - $155,208
- Sheep Health Declaration Booklet Printing - $13,500
Predator Control ($459,220)
- Dog Fence Maintenance Program - $232,780
- Biteback Wild Dog Control Program - $183,840
- Wild Dog Trapper Program - $37,500
- Box Flat Wild Dog Control Program - $5,100
Industry Advocacy ($388,203)
- Livestock SA Contribution - $388,203
Communication ($31,983)
- SheepConnect SA Communications - $31,983
Skills Development ($28,500)
- SA Sheep Expo 2019 - $9,500
- Farm Gross Margin Guide Update - $9,000
- WoolTAG Toolbox 2018 - $5,000
- Mid North Young Guns Improving Welfare and Health (IWH) Program - $5,000
Other ($30,000)
- Small projects - $30,000 (for details on how to apply for small projects see ‘How to access the fund’ below).
In addition to program funding, the Minister has also approved expenditure from the Sheep Industry Fund in 2018-19 for fund administration, advisory group expenses and refund payments.
Details of actual fund expenditure will be published in the 2018-19 Sheep Industry Fund Annual Report and made available on the PIRSA website once this report has been tabled in Parliament.
How to access the fund
Expressions of interest for new projects are sought annually in January/February through the Stock Journal. Expressions are assessed by South Australian Sheep Advisory Group in March. Shortlisted expression of interest applicants will be notified and requested to complete and return a full funding application for assessment in May. Expressions of Interest for sheep industry projects are currently open.
Contribution refunds
Requests can be made to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries for a refund of contributions. Refunds can only be requested from the preceding financial year.
To request a refund:
- provide documentary evidence that a contribution was paid, you can use account sales dockets
- complete a Request for Refund form ( or ).
You are not entitled to any service or benefit from the fund for 2 years if you receive a refund.
Contribution forms
- Sheep Industry Fund – Producer direct contribution form ()
- Sheep Industry Fund – Agent contribution form ()
More information
- Sheep Industry Fund Management Plan 2018-19 to 2022-23 ()
- Primary Industry Funding Schemes (Sheep Industry Fund) Regulations 2014