SheepLinks FEED365 all year livestock forage systems
| Project start date: | 01 April 2020 |
| Project end date: | 31 December 2025 |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep |
| Relevant regions: | Western Australia, Mediterranean |
| Site location: | Southern Western Australia |
Summary
Grazing systems in southern Western Australia are challenged by climate change with increasingly hotter, drier and more variable seasons.
In this context the Integrated R&D PDS - FEED365 project will engage sheep producers and allied industries to re-design livestock forage systems for grazing all-year-round in Mediterranean environments. The goal is to create resilient sheep production systems, allowing farmers to increase livestock returns by grazing quality (green) forage all year round with minimal supplementary feeding.
Initially bio-economic modelling will be conducted, driven by the particular demands of the livestock production system to assess the value proposition of new and modified feedbase strategies. Modelling outcomes will then be validated and demonstrated through a series of field experiments at the Katanning Research Facility (KRF)
Six satellite demonstration sites will follow a participatory research process utilising a subset of forage options appropriate for the region and production system.
Objectives
By the 30th June 2025 the participant will have:
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Modelled, evaluated and demonstrated increased edible forage biomass at critical feed periods, sheep grazing days/sheep daily liveweight gains for each candidate forage option in future hotter drier climates .
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Reported on the performance of each forage individually and as part of a multispecies forage production system that could improve seasonal forage availability and feed quality
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Ranked each forage species on their ability to compete with established trees and identify promising combinations of trees and forages for livestock production.
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Provided principles and bio-economic modelling which can be used to develop and support adoption of the new seasonally sequenced forage combinations within a whole-farm production system.
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Established a minimum of six satellite demonstration sites, which will follow a participatory research process utilising a subset of forage options appropriate for the region and production system.
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Conducted a site establishment field day and minimum of three additional field days (one per annum) at the Katanning Research Facility and a minimum of one per satellite demonstration site. So that demonstrate change in producer knowledge, attitudes and skills can be measured, with at least 120 farm businesses.
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Presented findings at a minimum of three industry events, to be agreed in advance with MLA.
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Completed a minimum of three industry or research community facing publications such as DPIRD technical bulletins or scientific research papers.
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Submitted a PowerPoint presentation on project outcomes and completed a project webinar for relevant MLA Managers.
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Publish decision support materials to match new forage combinations to agro-climatic zones and soil types to assist producers in choosing the best forage for their farm.
Progress
Feed365 is part of the broader SheepLinks collaboration with the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The aim of the project is to trial various pasture species and varieties to assess the ability to re-design livestock forage systems for grazing all-year-round in Mediterranean environments. The goal is to create resilient sheep production systems, allowing farmers to increase livestock returns by grazing quality (green) forage all year round with minimal supplementary feeding.
Feed365 has continued with 2022 trial results analysed and used to inform 2023 treatments currently being implemented. Biomass and feed quality data from the 2022 establishment year has provided the following preliminary findings on most productive species:
- September to November – Cadiz, sub clover
- January to February – Fench hard serradella and Japanese millet
- April to May – lucerne, chicory, cocksfoot, tedera.
An additional three producer group hosted trial sites have been added to the project, taking the total producer sites to 6 throughout the wheatbelt.
A project field day was held at the Katanning Research facility in April to showcase trial plots and discuss findings to date.
