Technical writer for the feedbase adoption plan

Summary

The Technical Writer (TWP) project is a component of a broader awareness and action package under the feedbase adoption plan (FAP), where all project directly connect MLA funded R&D to producers. This assists in improving on farm profitability by addressing common on-farm issues.

The TWP will create and update MLA extension products with new R&D information identified within the feedbase investment plan. The aim of the project is to assist producers to better understand and manage and improve pasture growth and quality, to support improved productivity/profitability. These documents will be shared via MLA communication platforms and awareness events.

Objectives

The main objectives of this project were to:

• interview key research leaders from the feedbase pillars and develop a
  summary document for each key research project
• develop a template for ‘How to…’ documents
• complete 10 ‘I want to’ fact sheets to demonstrate the impact/opportunity of feedbase R&D to support the FAP projects
• complete 10 ‘How Do I’ technical documents for producers who want more details.

Key findings

'How to...' fact sheets and implementation documents were created based around southern feedbase and the four pillars of the feedbase adoption program;

• Persistent Pastures
• Healthy Soils
• Legumes
• Less Weeds.

These fact sheets are being used as extension material to increase the productivity and profitability of the southern feedbase, and will be turned into eLearning modules.

Benefits to industry

These fact sheets are being used as extension material to increase the productivity and profitability of the southern feedbase and will be turned into eLearning modules.

MLA action

These fact sheets are being used as extension material to increase the productivity and profitability of the southern feedbase and will be turned into eLearning modules as well as being used as part of the wider southern adoption program.

They will be incorporated into programs where relevant and will be available to download and order from the MLA publication site.

Future research

If these fact sheets are successful, MLA will look at creating similar fact sheets for northern regions of Australia, as well as other areas of extension.