L.PGS.1842 - Project Overview - PGS State Coordinator Queensland

Summary

MLA had identified that adoption of improved management practices and technology amongst red meat producers was often hampered by producers’ lack of relevant skills and confidence. Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS) was designed to overcome these barriers through the use of ‘supported learning’ methodology where small groups of producers work with a dedicated ‘coach’ to learn, practice and implement new skills relevant to their business.

The PGS state coordinator for Queensland was appointed to effectively coordinate the delivery and ensure it achieved its objectives. This overview of the operation of PGS in Queensland between May 2019 and August 2021. During this period there were four PGS programs run in Queensland with 33 producer participants and three feeder activities (including one webinar) with 346 participants.

Objectives

The overarching objective of the PGS program was to encourage and support red meat producers to improve their management skills and increase profit. The key responsibilities of the state coordinator were to promote the program to potential service providers, recruit deliverers and producers, influence feeder activities and ensure quality assurance in the delivery of the program across Queensland.

Key findings

Two PGS deliverers developed their own PGS SLPs using their existing material (Satellite-Assisted Forage Budgeting and Leading with Certainty). Three PGS SLPs were written for MLA as off-the-shelf packages (PayDirt Northern Australia, Getting Goats to Market and Phosphorus Management for Peak Performance in Beef Cattle).  Over this period there were four PGS programs run in Queensland with 33 producer participants and three feeder activities (including one webinar) with 346 participants.

Benefits to industry

The primary benefit that PGS provided to the red meat industry in Queensland was the development of five supported learning packages that filled content gaps in the market.  These training packages would never been developed without the encouragement and support from the PGS program.

MLA action

MLA reviewed the role of the state and national coordinators and found that with maturity of the PGS program only a national coordinator would be required to support it.

Future research

Based on the learnings of the last five years the following key recommendations are made for the next phase of PGS in Queensland:

•    A Northern Australia program that focuses on addressing the unique training needs and logistics involved in delivering extension in the summer rainfall dominant, rangeland regions.
•    Professional capacity building programs which not only target young deliverers, but also training for experienced deliverers already embedded in the regions.
•    Increased efficiency in program administration and reporting.