At the 2016 AGM of the MDF, directors made a presentation about the financial stresses the MDF is experiencing in relation to the research and demonstration side of the business. 55 years ago innovative farmers in the MID elected to invest in the purchase of the MDF by paying the equivalent of $25 for 50 shares. This was enough to borrow against, and farm profit was used to pay off the original loan or reinvested in the farm. Over that time, the information generated by research undertaken at the MDF, such as grain feeding, nutrient outflow and irrigation practices, has been freely distributed to all interested parties. What a fantastic return on that investment! In modern times, this approach is not financially sustainable, and finding new research partners and funding sources is essential if the MDF is to continue functioning for the benefit of the industry.
Research at the farm costs a minimum of $50,000 each year- farm profits have never been able to fund anything but the basics of the work we do. Apart from occasional funds for specific projects, the MDF does not receive any money from government and has not asked its stakeholders or supporters for any further financial support over those 55 years. The time to ask for your help has come.
At the 2017 AGM we launched the Friends of the MDF, a way for you to volunteer a modest contribution to help us establish a secure financial base, to enable the farm to attract funding partners as it launches into the next phase of terrific work for the benefit of our local dairy farmers.
If you value the historical and current value of the MDF and its contribution to dairy research, please consider supporting us to create that viable and sustainable future.
So please, act now to support the MDF and let us get on with more great work.
Neil Baker
Chairman
mdf@wideband.net.au
0488 175 366
