SGS Pasture Model on EdServe

Summary

This project was conducted to test the feasibility of deploying the SGS Pasture Model by thin client to a range of educational institutions to provide the opportunity for enhanced learning about grazing system interactions. The SGS Pasture Model was successfully modified and deployed via thin client from the eD-Serve portal and found to be of great interest to both undergraduate students and academic staff. Also a constraints facility was added to allow lecturers to restrict the number of options that students can modify.

The successful proof of this concept means that Meat and Livestock Australia can now be more confident that it could recommend the use of its SGS Pasture Model to enhance the training of future professionals in the livestock industry in universities across the nation. The use of this model for teaching follows on from the successful use of a range of models for teaching (e.g. GrassGro and GrazFeed) in a project supported by Australian Wool Innovation (June, 2002- May, 2005) in which approximately 1300 students per year benefited.

There are opportunities for both MLA and AWI to consider co-sponsoring one or two decision support specialists to enable teaching using such models on a broader scale in Australian universities, leading to greater relevant problem-solving skills of future professionals who will work in the livestock industry. For example, when used appropriately in the teaching curriculum, the gaining of experience with this model will enhance students' understanding of the challenging concept of sustainability (e.g. changes to groundwater and nitrate leaching). Both MLA and AWI will be aware that a range of universities have submitted a proposal to the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) for a Collaboration and Structural Reform grant to enable the wider use of Decision Support Tools in higher education with the aim of enhancing problem-solving skills in graduates. If this grant is awarded by DEST, this will present a significant opportunity for leverage by a range of R&D Corporations such as Meat and Livestock Australia and for much greater impact to be realised.