More Beef from Pastures
MLA's More Beef from Pastures (MBfP) program was developed in 2004 as a delivery framework for outputs from research and development (R&D) activities in southern beef production systems.
The goal of More Beef from Pastures
The overall goal of the program is to achieve a sustainable (economic and environmental) increase in kilograms of beef produced per hectare through optimal management of the feedbase.
The program seeks to achieve this through the provision of principle and procedure-based information extended through partnerships with southern state Departments of Primary Industries and agribusiness.
Producer Advocates also play an important role in the program by fulfilling a peer support and program advocacy function.
In its first phase (2004-09), MBfP focussed on industry awareness and engagement around the program's suite of tools and activities.
More Beef from Pastures phases
MBfP phase 1 successfully engaged over 21,000 southern beef producers and achieved an overall benefit:cost ratio of 4.4:1. MBfP phase 2 commenced in late 2010 and is building upon the achievements of phase 1 by encouraging adoption and practice change, especially among those producers "primed" in phase 1.
A range of activities are being delivered on local issues identified by local producers. New delivery methods will also be trialled, including webinars and video conferencing, to help introduce specialist presenters to a wider audience.
The producer's manual
The More Beef from Pastures: The producer's manual, remains central to the MBfP program. The producer's manual is an information package designed to deliver the essential principles and practices for a successful beef business. The manual draws on the latest R&D as well as the knowledge, skills and experience of producer advocates who helped write the eight modules.
These modules provide tools and information to enable southern beef producers to increase productivity and profit while minimising risk:
- Module 1 - Setting directions
Helps producers set clear business objectives and the strategic direction of the beef enterprise. Download Module 1
- Module 2 - Tactical stock control
Provides information and tools to help producers manage stock numbers and tactically increase or decrease numbers to match animal feed demand to available feed supply. Download Module 2
- Module 3 - Pasture growth
Helps producers develop expertise in soil, pasture and grazing management to boost productivity and profitability. Download Module 3
- Module 4 - Pasture utilisation
Details methods to increase stocking rates and adopt a plant growth-based approach to grazing management. Download Module 4
- Module 5 - Genetics
Provides information to help producers lift productivity and profitability through ongoing genetic improvement. Download Module 5
- Module 6 - Weaner throughput
Outlines practices to determine how and when to wean calves early in order to maximise production and profitability. Download Module 6
- Module 7 - Herd health and welfare
Outlines procedures required to manage a healthy, productive and profitable cattle herd. Download Module 7
- Module 8 - Meeting market specifications
Helps producers to increase financial returns by better meeting target market specifications, exploiting market opportunities and managing the risks. Download Module 8
Ordering the manual
Producers can access the modules as free electronic documents above or they can order a hard copy and a CD of the manual or a CD of the manual.
Events and activities
Every state coordinates a range of events, activities, workshops, demonstration sites, forums and coaching days that bring the principles, practices and tools from the MBfP program directly to producers.
Three particular categories of activity will characterise phase 2:
- Awareness activities to build and maintain broad industry awareness of MBfP and associated resources.
- Knowledge, skills and confidence to promote active learning.
- Practice change activities – participatory learning initiatives aimed at generating practice change and then recording the impact of change.
Tailored monitoring and evaluation activities will ensure that the actual impacts and attribution of all category B and C activities can be measured.
Information and updates about MBfP phase 2 and associated events will be made available through eNewsletters and via the MLA website.
Check the MLA events calendar for upcoming More Beef from Pastures events
Print this page
Go back to top