More Beef from Pastures

MLA's More Beef from Pastures program was developed in 2004 as a delivery framework for outputs from research and development (R&D) activities in southern beef production systems.

Central to the program is the More Beef from Pastures: The producer's manual, a one-stop 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.

A range of events build on the information contained in manual and provide a learning pathway for producers to apply the practices and principles of the program directly in their production environment. Supporting the program is the More Beef from Pastures eNewsletter, a quarterly email that further demonstrates how outputs from R&D can be applied on-farm.

The program is delivered in partnership with respective state departments of agriculture, who lead the co-ordination of program events in conjunction with producer advocates and the local private sector.

The producer's manual

The producer's manual has eight modules that address different aspects of the production system in a southern pasture-based beef enterprise:

• 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 in order to match animal feed demand to available feed supply. Download Module 2
• Module 3: Pasture growth
  Helps producers to 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 ongoing 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

How to order the manual

Producers can access the modules as free electronic documents above or they can order a hard copy and CD of the manual or a CD of the manual.

The eNewsletter

The More Beef from Pastures eNewsletter supports the broader program and provides subscribers with a quarterly update on practical R&D outcomes and how these can be applied on-farm. Producer advocates also tell the story of how they deal with everyday production challenges and how they have applied the information available to them through the program to make a positive difference to their operation.

Subscribe to the More Beef from Pasture eNewsletter

Events and activities

Every state co-ordinates a range of events, activities, workshops, demonstration sites, forums and coaching days that bring the principles, practices and tools from the More Beef from Pastures program directly to producers.

Check the MLA events calendar for upcoming More Beef from Pastures events

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