P.PSH.1515 - NB2 Pathways to Practice Phase 2 - Fitzroy Basin Association

Summary

This project recruited two NB2 groups comprising ten beef businesses managing more than 27,000 cattle across 146,000 hectares in the Fitzroy Basin catchment. From 2024 to 2026, participants met regularly to improve key areas of their businesses, including business planning and communication, animal nutrition and management, genetics, and feedbase management. Group members also collected and analysed herd, business and feedbase data to identify opportunities for improvement, while learning from and supporting one another to implement practice change.

Objectives

The project aimed to: 

• Establish producer groups that fostered peer-to-peer learning, collaboration, and trust.
• Improve producer confidence in collecting, interpreting, and utilising business, herd, and pasture data.
• Support the adoption of management practices that improve productivity, profitability, and business resilience.
• Create opportunities for producers to access industry expertise and learn from both subject matter experts and fellow producers.

Key findings

A key finding of the project was that trusted producer networks play a critical role in supporting knowledge exchange, confidence building, and practice change. As relationships strengthened over time, participants became increasingly willing to share business information, discuss challenges, and learn from one another's experiences. 

The project demonstrated that producers are more likely to consider and adopt changes when they can see practical examples being applied by fellow producers operating under similar conditions. Participants reported increased confidence in decision-making and greater awareness of opportunities to improve business performance.

Benefits to industry

The project demonstrated that producer-led learning groups provide an effective pathway for translating industry knowledge, research findings, and technical information into practical on-farm application. Through supporting knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning, the project contributed to improved producer capability, business resilience, and confidence in adopting new practices. 

The networks established through the project have created a legacy that will continue to provide value beyond the funded period and support ongoing collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the Australian beef industry.

MLA action

MLA continues to invest in long-term practice change programs and peer-learning models to support producers to adopt best practices within their business.

Future research

The findings from this project will be used to inform future producer development programs, extension activities, and industry investments that support practice change, adoption of research outcomes, and improved business performance across the Australian beef industry.