Productivity (On Farm) & Feedlot Evaluation

Summary

MLA works in partnership with industry and government bodies to deliver research and development (R&D) activities that contribute to producer profitability, sustainability and global competitiveness.

This project evaluated the productivity and cost saving impacts from 17 of MLA's key product investments from 2015-2020 in producer adoption, on-farm and feedlot productivity.

Based on a 'low', 'medium' or 'high' grading, this impact assessment revealed a range of likely levels of product impact and adoption over the assessment period. The results of this review will be used in MLA's 2020 performance review.

Objectives

The primary aim of this project was to assess a combination of the potential and actual benefits of RD&A products that have resulted from MLA investments in producer adoption, on-farm productivity and feedlot sub-programs.

Key findings

The main findings for each of the three program areas assessed (producer adoption, on-farm productivity and feedlot productivity) include:

• Productivity benefits range from $0.45-$17.47/ha (over five years) for the eight MLA adoption programs assessed: Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS), Producer Demonstration Sites (PDS), EDGEnetwork (northern and southern), BredWell FedWell (sheep and cattle), and BeefUp and It's Ewe Time forums.
• The largest productivity benefits were measured for PGS and PDS sites, at $17.47/ha and $6.71/ha, respectively.
• In MLA's on-farm productivity area, the cost savings for each product were $12.18/ha for Parkinsonia biological control and $111 per pig culled using HOG-GONE® feral pig baiting.
• Short duration lairage practices indicate an $18.38 per head benefit in productivity across 1.7 million head by 2033 for feedlot producers.

Benefits to industry

Other benefits of successfully adopting these R&D products in the Australian red meat industry include improved environmental outcomes, social awareness, on-farm management and animal welfare.

MLA action

This project produced an impact assessment to assist with MLA's organisational impact assessment for the 2015-20 strategy period. MLA is now reviewing the recommendations from this project regarding the monitoring and evaluation of projects and adoption programs, to continue improving data collection for MLA's Productivity (On Farm) and Feedlot programs.

Future research

It is recommended that MLA explores how producer's that are currently not participating in these adoption activities are using the information, knowledge and skills they obtain from participating in adoption activities and product innovation, and how this may be contributing to practice change and impact in their business.