This project aims to drive improvement in on-station management of rangeland cattle by understanding how cattle perform in the WA supply chain. Change to on-station management may also diversify market options for rangeland cattle producers. An economic assessment will be conducted to evaluate changes to on-station management, for example breeding and nutrition, that are necessary to achieve various market specifications.

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This project aims to develop practical and robust management practices to improve the transition of animals from the pastoral zone into backgrounding systems, as well as between grazing rangelands and forage produced under pivots, to build more certainty in year-round supply of in-specification cattle.

This project aims to increase the production capacity of the WA value chain by 12%.

By understanding more about the movement and diet of livestock in the WA rangelands and key backgrounding areas, this project will explore grazing management practices that could be used to increase productivity and carbon in the landscape.

This project aims to provide a better understanding of the nutritional value and anti-methanogenic potential of the feedbase in the northern WA rangelands.

Through a study of commercially available and naturally occurring plant species in the region, it will explore the potential for emissions reduction through grazing management practices that could improve growth and feed efficiency.

The data from this project will provide producers with a range of feedbase options that support the drive for methane abatement from beef cattle as well as the drive for a carbon neutral value chain.

Partnering with commercial properties, this project will evaluate the practical use of virtual fencing technology (VFT) to manage cattle in the WA rangelands and improve livestock productivity and rangeland health.

This project provides an opportunity to evaluate VFT’s potential to improve grazing management and nutrition, to monitor livestock health and welfare more easily, better manage emergencies and prevent degradation of areas under restoration.

This project will evaluate the low level of research adoption rates across the WA BeefLinks program and suggest ways to improve BeefLinks extension activities going forward.

Taking a transdisciplinary approach, the team will obtain insights from beef producers and industry experts as well as supply chain actors and consumers to gain a better understanding of the complex issues associated with decision making, the drivers impacting adoption rates and practice change, and the factors affecting producers’ choice of markets.

Using data collected through surveys, interviews and focus group discussions, the project will produce outputs to assist with improved program effectiveness, including the design and application of a benefit cost analysis framework to evaluate the profitability of different risk management strategies, and the development of a facilitated process (decision tree tool) for producers to improve decision making.

The project will also use the data collected to produce a best-management framework for program structure and management, recommendations for improvements to extension activities, and contributions to the development of a ‘involve & partner’ strategy.

For more information, read the media release and download the project flyer.