Meat & Livestock Australia Edge and MBfP Mini Survey

Summary

During the undertaking of the 2005 LPI Awareness & Adoption survey MLA also undertook a specific program evaluation aimed at gaining further insight into the impact of an MLA program on course participants. The EDGE and More Beef from Pastures (MBfP) programs were chosen as the subject of this ‘mini
survey’. These two programs were chosen on the basis of their widespread popularity and also because during the process of conducting them a database of participants was collected by the various facilitators. These courses also cater to the main target producer segments of Southern &
Northern Beef producers and Southern Sheep or Lamb producers. The objective of the EDGE & MBfP survey is to determine if participating producers have changed
management practices as a result of attending one of the EDGE courses or participating in a program such as MBfP. Determining the extent of change and the desire to participate in other MLA programs will assist MLA in understanding the impact these particular programs are having on the
key producer segments. A total sample of n=300 was obtained, n=220 EDGE course participants and n=80 MBfP manual
recipients. The mini survey concentrated on evaluating the effectiveness of the EDGE and MBfP programs in creating change on these actual course participants. 􀂉 Overall 78% of participants in EDGE courses indicated they changed management practices as a result of attending. However, 46% also indicated they sought other information before changing. Whilst the EDGE program has a strong influence producers still appear to seek second opinions, these are from Dept of Ag personnel. 􀂉 Of the EDGE program participants to make changes to management practices, 45% changed Grazing management practices, 33% Supplementary feeding & Nutrition practices, 30% Pasture management and 24% Reproductive management practices. All these management practices are production focussed with producers indicating they had a direct impact on productivity, natural resource management as well as profitability.
􀂉 75% of MBfP manual recipients read at least one of the modules, of these 77% read the module on Pasture utilisation and 69% read the module on Pasture growth, both production oriented. 􀂉 As a result 37% of participants in the MBfP program changed management procedures or used the practices & tools, as few as 19% sought additional information before making changes. Nonusage of the practices & tools in the MBfP manual, is mainly due to the drought or no feed.
Both these programs have instigated a significant level of change and adoption of practices and procedures amongst participants. Continuing to measure the level of change using this survey technique is unlikely to identify additional increases in change or adoption, most producers are
already likely to have taken at least one step in improving their management practices. However, one success will lead to more, further change is likely amongst this available population.