Grassfed beef (Aust) consultancy 2017-2019

Summary

​This project report outlines the tasks performed by an external consultant, Geoffrey Niethe on behalf of MLA over the period 1st July 2017 to 31st May 2019. This position provides flexibility within MLA to access expert advice in specific areas of industry involvement where program managers wish to rapidly seek a second opinion on significant and substantial technical material.

MLA publications including final reports on major research projects, extension and adoption material and articles for the Feedback magazine must meet a high standard i.e. be accurate, evidence-based and technically sound. Furthermore, the peer review process within the animal production research discipline is under pressure as senior researchers progressively retire from the industry.

The consultant was engaged for 176.5 days over the 2 year period and key achievements during that time have been outlined in this report. These include review of final reports – several of which were unacceptable for immediate posting on the MLA website, co-ordination of the Phosphorus challenge in northern Australia, production of new extension material including 4 new Tips and Tools and mentoring new extension officers in Western Australia. A model to develop a Centre of excellence for the northern beef industry was proposed and a business plan developed.