Girl Power: Prioritising Heifer Performance
| Project start date: | 31 March 2020 |
| Project end date: | 30 August 2024 |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | National |
| Site location: | Western Queensland: Alpha, Aramac |
Summary
This Producer Demonstration site project aims to demonstrate that Best Management Practices developed from research and experience in other regions, along with the recommendations from the recently released Tips and Tools on Heifer Management, can cost effectively improve heifer productivity given the limited feed base and native pasture composition in the Desert Uplands.
Objectives
By August 2024, in the Desert Uplands Bioregion of Queensland, the Consultant will achieve the following:
1. 10 Core Producers will demonstrate and assess the potential of Heifer Best Management Practices (BMP) to: a. Narrow the mating period in maiden heifers down to 42 days b. Achieve 84% conception rates by optimising the timing of this six week mating period; and c. Achieve re-conception rates of first calf heifers to a minimum of 70%.
2. Cost Benefit Analysis on the two (2) PDS to determine the financial impact of implementing heifer BMP in the DU (at these 2 PDS).
3. 100% of core producers and 50% of observer producers will, or will intend to, collect the appropriate data and implement heifer best management practices
4. 100% of core producers and 50% of observer producers will have increased their knowledge, skills and confidence in relation to heifer BMP through field days and other activities.
Progress
The aim of this producer demonstration site (PDS) project which commenced in 2020 is to demonstrate and communicate that Best Management Practices developed from experience and from MLA Tips and Tools on Heifer Management, can cost effectively improve heifer productivity given the limited feed base and native pasture composition in the Desert Uplands (DU) by meeting Critical Mating Weights and putting selection pressure on maiden heifers primarily through fertility.
In 2023, the two PDS sites have recorded pasture growth well in excess of long term district averages. (Longpaddock – Pasture Alert Report). The early unseasonal spring break ensured dry matter production will again be sufficient to meet heifers’ nutritional demands. Pregnancy test results on the PDS sites have again attained the stated objective levels of 84% for maidens and 70% for First Calf Cows.
A small number of producers have accessed resources to foetal age and record body condition score (BCS), liveweight and pregnancy status against NLIS tags at the crush side.
