SOUTH East drains maintenance and stock water access have topped the list of concerns for Livestock SA in this year's "string of disappointments" that is the state budget.
There were also concerns regarding funding for Biosecurity SA, with Livestock SA fearing cuts had been made to the body.
President Geoff Power said Livestock SA had written to Premier Jay Weatherill in November last year seeking more funding for Biosecurity SA, and since budget documents were released he said they had been assured money was there.
"If there is money there (for Biosecurity SA), I stand corrected - but how much money?" Mr Power said.
In a statement, PIRSA said the state government was maintaining its ongoing investment in Biosecurity SA.
"As shown in the state budget papers, after allowing for SA's commitment to national eradication programs captured under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity of $0.9 million in 2014-15, expenditure will actually increase by $0.6m to $27.8m in 2015-16," it said.
But Mr Power said the state government had not addressed the SE drains maintenance issue, and was still proposing a levy be introduced despite the citizen's jury reaching a verdict the government should fund maintenance.
"Maintenance of the drains is a big issue in the SE and for Livestock SA, where nearly half of our members are based. Time and time again, we have called for action on this issue and raised it at departmental and ministerial meetings," he said.
"But the message appears not to be getting through and we cannot say it any plainer - the government must honour its commitment to the SE's land owners that the community will direct how maintenance of the network is funded and their direction is no new levies and no new taxes.
"Our concern is that with this stalemate, the drains will begin to crumble with no maintenance."
The state government also missed an opportunity to provide relief to livestock producers using the SA Water network for stock water. This had been one of Livestock SA's top 10 issues.
Producers are paying a maximum of $3.32 a kilolitre but Livestock SA believes the price should be set at 62 cents/kL, which has been calculated by the Essential Services Commission of SA as the long-run marginal cost of supply to Greater Adelaide.
"If the price of water is not reduced to a more realistic level, it will lead to reduced livestock numbers - reducing the income to the state's economy. At 62c/kL, livestock production could even increase," Mr Power said.
"These are our main disappointments in a budget where agriculture, and the livestock industry, was virtually ignored despite its importance to the SA economy.
"Probably the only shining light for the livestock industry in the budget was that there were no new state taxes - but this benefit was shared by all South Australians."
