L.PDS.1810 - PDS: Better Bega Beef

Summary

Stocking rate is a major determinant of profitability and pasture production is the major determinant of stocking rate.

District soil data indicated that there are major soil deficiencies on farms in the Bega Valley. Previous work across southern Australia has shown that major increases in productivity and profitability result from correcting these deficiencies.

Dairy farmers as well as sheep and beef farmers were targeted for this PDS. The PDS evaluated responses to fertilizer to provide benchmarks for productivity in the Bega Valley. Farming systems and environmental conditions vary between regions. While the principles of fertilizer application are well recognised practical evaluations under local farming systems are essential to identify and modify practices to capture the benefit of improved nutrition.

Objectives

• Investigate the potential productivity of pastures in the Bega Valley through the correction of soil nutritional deficiencies.
• Work with the participating farmers to adapt their farming systems to the increase in pasture production.
• Evaluate the economics of correcting soil nutritional constraints.
• Demonstrate the results to the wider farming community.

Key findings

Large increases in productivity were obtained from addressing identified nutritional issues on three properties. At one site which was running sheep, the stocking rate increased from 5 DSE/ha to 18 DSE/ha. Wethers were initially run in this trial, but the improved nutrition resulted in dramatic changes in pasture composition and feed quality such that the pastures are now carrying breeding stock. At an average gross margin of $35/DSE, this represents a profit of $455/ha.

Another site was stocked with breeding cows. In the first year, the cost of supplementary feed was $165 on the Control paddock, while no feed was required on the Productivity paddock. At the conclusion of the project, there was a 6DSE/ha difference between the two paddocks – an advantage of $210/ha to the Productivity paddock.

When the increase in carrying capacity was assessed in terms of the cost of the capital fertilizer, the increase in carrying capacity at the first site was achieved at a cost of $35/DSE and at the second site at a cost of $67/DSE.
The third site was a hay/silage operation. A number of nutritional deficiencies were identified and addressed.

Additional potassium resulted in an average 19% increase in fodder production, while boron application resulted in an estimated 300% increase in dry matter production.
The results were regularly communicated to the wider farming community through newsletters and social media outlets. Two field days were held which were attended by local farmers, Agriculture Department staff and local agronomists.

It was planned to involve neighbouring farmers in regular site inspections. However, there was poor uptake in this activity and the imposition Covid restrictions meant that this component was not fulfilled.

Benefits to industry

The project demonstrated major increases in productivity through the correction of nutrient deficiencies on existing pastures and on sown fodder crops. The practical demonstrations of the potential productivity provide benchmarks for the Valley and a basis for the extension of this information to the wider community.

MLA action

MLA continues to deliver the Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) program, supporting livestock producers working in peer-to-peer groups to pursue new skills, knowledge and management practices applicable to their own commercial livestock production systems.

Future research

The results of this demonstration confirmed the results achieved previously through the Grassland’s Productivity Program (GPP) and the Paired Paddock Program (PPP) funded through AWI from the mid-1990s to mid-2000s.

There is a poor understanding and implementation of best practice fertilizer practices in much of the medium to high rainfall zones. Major lifts in farm productivity and profitability are being forgone as a result.

A program focusing on the identification of nutrient deficiencies on-farm and the active engagement by farmers adopt the resulting recommendations and to adapt to their farming system would deliver large benefits to the red meat industry.

The results also highlighted the opportunity to develop integrated management of difficult to control weeds such as African Lovegrass and Fireweed through the use of fertilizer, higher stocking rates and selective use of herbicides.