Livestock Advisor Essentials – Genetics and reproduction + Feedbase decision making

Livestock Advisor Essentials (LAE) is a professional development program designed for early career professionals involved in the livestock industry or advisors wishing to build their skills and expand their industry knowledge and networks.

This is an unbeatable opportunity to:

• Learn the fundamentals of livestock businesses.
• Develop knowledge, skills and confidence.
• Connect with other livestock advisors.

The program will include three face-to-face workshops covering the livestock industry building-blocks of feedbase, business, reproduction and genetics, value chain and people and extension.

Genetics and reproduction

Delivered by Dr Jillian Kelly (AHN Consulting) and Dr Alison Gunn (Herd Solutions), this session will use case studies and interactive group learning activities and discussions to improve your knowledge of the key principles of reproduction and genetics relevant for southern livestock businesses, and demonstrate how advisors can support producer clients to make important decisions about breeding objectives, sire selection, reproduction cycle management and joining.

Feedbase decision making

Delivered by Basil Doonan (Pinion Advisory), Tanisha Shields (Agrista), and Dr Jillian Kelly (AHN Consulting) this session will case studies and interactive group learning activities and discussions to introduce the concept of using best-practice, sustainable feedbase management principles to drive livestock productivity. Building understanding about the key principles of plant morphology and physiology is essential to informing grazing management decision making. Managing pastures to meet plant physiological requirements will optimise the amount and quality of feed produced and the persistence of the sward. Participants will learn how to set a grazing rotation based on rest-periods, calculate growth rates and animal requirements and use this information to construct predictive feed budgets. This workshop will give participants confidence to support producer in making decisions related to feedbase management. Different feeding systems will also be covered, including intensive grazing, rangelands grazing, and containment feeding.