L.PGS.2122 - PGS SLP - Pasture Principles King Island RNM

Summary

The Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS) ‘Pasture Principles’ Supported Learning Package (SLP) was delivered to group of cattle producers on King Island. Participating producers increased their skills and capability to improve pasture productivity and livestock feedbase management over six on-farm sessions. A total of 23 Beef producers participated, managing a total of 41,320 Ha and 45,735 cattle.

Objectives

The objectives of the project are as follows: 

• Upskill livestock producers to be able to confidently measure leaf emergence rate and feed availability and to assess animal condition score. 
• Increase understanding of pasture plant morphology and physiology (growth; response to water, fertiliser, and grazing). 
• Understanding of, and ability to calculate animal requirements. 
• Allocating feed and planning rotations. 
• Able to feed budget (using the Macquarie Franklin fed budget tool). 
• Able to do simple cost-benefit calculations to understand the financial implications of decisions about feeding livestock.

Key findings

PGS is an adoption program and there was no research.

Benefits to industry

Participating producers increased their skills and capability to improve pasture productivity and livestock feedbase management. A total of 23 Beef producers participated, managing a total of 41,320 Ha and 45,735 cattle.

MLA action

MLA continues to deliver the PGS program, supporting participants to have the opportunity to develop and practice skills with small groups of like-minded producers to improve business performance.

Future research

As PGS is an adoption program no further research is required.