Discover how trace elements can benefit livestock production systems

31 Jul 2025

Livestock production systems need trace elements. However, this need is often overlooked and large parts of southern Australia are deficient. When limited, pasture performance can be significantly affected. Similarly, deficiencies in livestock trace elements can cause considerable health issues.

By adding trace elements into the system, producers often see substantial improvement in pasture biomass and quality, along with livestock performance. Trace elements are often not considered because of high-cost perception. However, this not always the case – take the molybdenum case study as an example.

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To address trace element deficiencies in southern Australia, Meridian Agriculture and MLA have partnered to deliver the following activities:

Education: Train advisors and producers on trace elements importance (2025 –2027).

Demonstration: Conduct 150 test strip experiments across Victoria to highlight trace elements benefits.

Publication: Update the trace elements almanac in the 1986 Agriculture Victoria manual Trace Elements for Pastures and Animals in Victoria.

Agriculture Victoria, the Mackinnon Project and Meridian Agriculture have already commenced workshops across Victoria. Workshops aim to educate advisors about the importance of trace elements use, highlighting the benefits and detriments of trace elements, and discussing products available to alleviate trace elements negatives.

Workshops have been delivered in Hamilton, Ballarat, Bendigo, Benalla and Traralgon. A workshop recording is also available from Meridian Agriculture. Additional workshops are planned for 2026.

The project’s next stage is to establish around 150 trace elements test strips across Victorian livestock production regions. Required product and information to set up and monitor the test strips will be provided by Meridian Agriculture. To participate, please contact Meridian Agriculture.

Information gathered from the workshops and test strips will be used to update the Trace Elements for Pastures and Animals in Victoria manual. It has been extensively used for more than 40 years as an almanac of trace elements.

Meridian Agriculture additionally plan to create a project-dedicated webpage. This will allow easy access of trace elements information as well as information about project participation. Keep an eye out on the MeridianAg website for more details or make contact using the details below: