Production

Producer consultation guides $9.5m in on-farm research

Jon Condon, 06/11/2017

 

LIVESTOCK producers, through consultation with Meat & Livestock Australia, have directly influenced the investment of $9.5 million of levy funds into 12 new research & development projects aimed at building the prosperity of the grassfed beef and sheepmeat sectors.

The projects address key industry priorities that fit within three themes: whole farm breeder productivity systems, future feedbase scenarios, and profitable and efficient ruminant nutrition.

The priority areas were determined by producers through MLA’s regional consultation process, which involves 18 regional committees and the North Australia Beef Research Council, the Southern Australia Meat Research Council, and the Western Australia Livestock Research Council.

MLA’s general manager for producer consultation and adoption, Michael Crowley, said the 12 successful RD&A projects were the result of an extensive consultation and selection process.

“MLA doesn’t make decisions about levy investment in isolation. Once the priority areas for 2017/18 were determined via regional consultation, MLA’s annual call sought preliminary RD&A proposals and this attracted 149 preliminary proposals,” Mr Crowley said.

After review by NABRC, SAMRC and WALRC producer panels and MLA, 24 preliminary proposals were found to “best address the 2017/18 RD&A priorities, describe producer benefits at a regional and national level, and cost-effectively outline ways to deliver on industry RD&A plans,” he said.

The full proposals were subsequently assessed by an independent panel of technical experts, chaired by internationally-renowned livestock researcher Professor Alan Bell.

After expert review, the full proposals were re-assessed by the Red Meat Panel who recommend the highest quality, highest impact projects for MLA to fund. This year, the panel recommended 12 projects.

The Red Meat Panel consists of the chair and a producer member from NABRC and SAMRC, two producer members of WALRC, a representative from the Cattle and Sheepmeat Councils of Australia and two MLA general managers.

The 12 RD&A projects endorsed for 2017/18 include:

  • Improving beef production through management of plant toxins
  • Feeding Leucaena to manage the rumen for maximum beef profit
  • Grazing strategies and tools to improve profitability and land condition
  • Development of a single shot immuno-contraceptive vaccine for cattle
  • New approaches to increase the weaning rate of the national sheep-flock
  • The gateway to selecting for nutrient efficient livestock – “Better Doers”
  • “The Sweet Spot”: Improving breeder herd performance through optimal pasture utilisation
  • Grazing with Self Herding to improve breeder nutrition and reproduction.
  • Maximising the value of existing technology for sheep producers
  • Reducing foetal and lamb losses in young ewes
  • Managing fecund flocks to improve survival of triplet dams and their lambs
  • Boosting lamb survival by supplementing ewes with vitamins and minerals.

Click here to access details about the projects.

 

Source: MLA

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your comment will not appear until it has been moderated.
Contributions that contravene our Comments Policy will not be published.

Comments

Get Beef Central's news headlines emailed to you -
FREE!