Western Australian livestock producers will have the opportunity to have their say on grassfed beef and sheepmeat research, development and adoption (RD&A) priorities at a producer forum and field walk at Dandaragan on 22 February.

Hosted by the WA Livestock Research Council (WALRC), the event will provide producers with the latest Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) research and allow them to have direct input into helping guide future RD&A relevant to their region.

The event is one of a series of RD&A information sessions specifically for WA producers being held this year by MLA.

The day will start with a field walk looking at the pasture legume, Tedera, and how it could help fill feed gaps in a herd or flock’s requirements.

WALRC Coordinator Erin Gorter said Tedera is the focus of one of the 18 RD&A projects endorsed to receive MLA investment of producer levies for 2016/17. This follows extensive consultation with grassroots producers through MLA’s regional consultation model.

“Producers directly influenced the decision to have a RD&A project focused on Tedera through the first MLA regional consultation process held in 2015,” Ms Gorter said.

“Tedera is a drought tolerant perennial legume which originated in the Canary Islands, and has been identified as a potentially valuable source of green feed during summer and autumn, reducing the need for supplementary feeding.

“When it kicks off, the Tedera RD&A project, which is being run by WA Department of Agriculture and Food, proposes the development of an agronomy package for Tedera ahead of its commercial release through a series of on-farm trials.”

MLA’s regional consultation model gives sheepmeat and grassfed beef producers direct input into what areas of RD&A their levies should be invested in. The producer forum which, will follow the field walk on 22 February, is an opportunity for producers to have their say about what RD&A areas should be a priority for MLA investment in their region going forward.

Importantly, the event will also give producers an opportunity to find out about WALRC and the team. WALRC gathers feedback on the RD&A needs of sheepmeat and grassfed beef producers from southern WA, with members including sheepmeat and grassfed beef producers, MLA, CSIRO, universities, and NRM and agricultural consultancy groups.

The Tedera field walk starts at 7.15am at ‘Bidgerabbie’, 1263 Rowes Road, Dandaragan (Yathroo), and will include a breakfast in the paddock.

It will be followed by the R&D for Me producer forum at Dandaragan Community Centre Hall, Dandaragan Road, Dandaragan, from 9am to 11am, with registrations from 8.30am.

RSVP is essential by 15 February to WALRC Secretariat on 0428 882 828 or eo@faceygroup.org.au for catering purposes.

Source: MLA. For further Information on the field walk and producer forum visit: www.mla.com.au/news-and-events/events-and-workshops or contact WALRC Coordinator, Erin Gorter on 0429 833 752 or eringorter@agvivo.com.au