Implementation plan for Australian Pasture

Summary

Credible objective data to improve decision making on pasture variety performance when sowing pastures is not routinely available to red meat producers. To address this, Meat Livestock Australia (MLA) has developed a Pasture Variety Trial Network (PVTN), a program responsible for conducting trials throughout the southern Australian grazing areas. Concern that funding for the PVTN was not guaranteed and that the trial methodology was not consistent between trial sites led to the submission of a proposal for an Australian Pasture Trial Network (APTN) to be funded through the MLA Donor Company.
This proposal aimed to run self-funded pasture variety trials. Tightening trial protocols and reducing the duplication in investment was also proposed. The objective of this project was to develop an implementation plan for the transition from the PVTN to the APTN. A review of documentation detailing these trial networks and other programs was undertaken. Interviews with seed industry personnel were conducted. An implementation plan for the APTN was developed. Engagement of industry stakeholders was the first priority in this plan. Agreement regarding costs of trials, variety inclusion and trial protocols are needed before commitment to the program by seed companies was obtained. Beneficiaries of this program are the livestock producers of southern Australia and the seed industry.