LIVESTOCK producers have tapped into new research to improve productivity, profitability and animal welfare on their farms at the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation’s Livestock Forum.

More than 180 producers attended the Forum in Wagga Wagga on Friday to hear from industry experts and scientists from Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

CSU Honours Student Sabrina Meurs presenting her research at the Graham Centre Livestock Forum, The crowd at the Graham Centre Livestock Forum.

Graham Centre Acting Director Associate Professor Marta Hernandez-Jover said the Forum presented information that producers could apply directly on farm.

“Livestock producers have been facing some tough seasonal conditions and it was wonderful to see so many people at the Forum, networking with each other and tapping into the expertise of some leading livestock researchers,” said Professor Hernandez-Jover.

“The Forum included market updates, research to better manage fodder and pastures,  information about breeding and genetics, and presentations about animal health and welfare.”

The Forum also saw the launch of a new short film series, ‘Crops, Rumps and Woolly Jumpers’.

This project is an initiaitve of Sheep Connect NSW, with support from the Graham Centre and NSW DPI. It documents the experiences of five farmers in 2012 and then again in 2016 (See videos on YouTube here).

People can access the presentations from the event on the Graham Centre website here and watch the keynote presentations on the Graham Centre Facebook page here.

The Forum was supported by Meat & Livestock Australia, Riverina Local Land Services, ProWay, Animal Health Australia, Teys Australia, Advanced Animal Nutrition and CadMac.

The Graham Centre is a research alliance between Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).