Planning for a better outcome
With market forecasts indicating challenging conditions ahead, MLA Research Adoption Manager – Cattle, Jane Weatherley, gives an insight into some business fundamentals that can help producers navigate through 2010.
In business, the need to be adaptive to variable conditions is critical. You can only achieve this through a robust stocktake of current business performance and a plausible assessment of likely risks and rewards associated with the conditions forecast. Subsequent developments or changes in your business strategy need to be flexible enough to respond to opportunities and challenges as they arise.
Read the full article: Prograzier Autumn 2010 Planning for a better outcome (PDF, 63KB)
More information: MLA's 2010 Sheep Industry Projections and 2010 Cattle Industry Projections
Driving genetic profit
Accelerating genetic progress through BREEDPLAN could earn the Australian beef industry an additional $50 million dollars* annually, according to MLA's Manager, Southern Australia, Research and Development, Dr Rob Banks. “Beef cattle producers are capturing increasing returns from industry investment in genetic improvement, and the gains are growing at a faster and faster rate,” Rob said.
Read the full article: Prograzier Autumn 2010 Driving genetic profit (PDF, 127KB)
More information: Cattle genetics
Reducing the risk of PRGT
Victorian prime lamb producer, Tony Fleetwood, was one of many producers across south-east Australia who suffered devastating stock losses during a widespread outbreak of perennial ryegrass toxicosis (PRGT) in 2002. The epidemic was estimated to have cost the Australian sheep industry at least $30 million in lost production and saw Tony lose about 10% of his flock to PRGT. Since that time, he has made a range of changes to his production system and on-farm management practices to reduce and manage the incidence of PRGT.
Read the full article: Prograzier Autumn 2010 Reducing the risk of PRGT (PDF, 91KB)
More information: Tips & Tools: Perennial ryegrass toxicosis
Native pastures prove their value
Integrating native pastures into a grazing rotation system is helping Chris Mirams, manager of ‘Woomargama Station’, Holbrook, and Chair of the EverGraze National Advisory Committee, to better utilise pastures. At Woomargama Station, Chris focuses clearly on increasing productivity, health and ultimately the value of the land. Careful management ensures that the property grows in value for its owners over the long-term. Approximately one third of the property is arable and maintains well fertilised, improved perennial pasture species, mainly phalaris. Over half of the property is steep, with shallow, relatively infertile soils that maintain various amounts of native pasture and natural timber. Around 10% of the property has been reafforested with interconnecting tree plantations.
Read the full article: Prograzier Autumn 2010 Native pastures prove their value (PDF, 87KB)
More information: Pasture Picker