More Beef from Pastures – National Coordinator

Summary

​More Beef from Pastures (MBfP) launched in 2004 as a platform to deliver results from research and development projects. The program drives an economic and environmentally sustainable increase in kilograms of beef produced per hectare through optimal feedbase management.

From 2014–2016, MLA contracted a network of MBfP state coordinators to initiate and manage regional events and activities in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria South Australia and Western Australia. A national coordinator was appointed to provide leadership and support to this network.

Over these two years, 382 MBfP activities were delivered to 12,348 participants. Each state coordinator achieved all of their assigned activities to improve industry sustainability.

Objectives

This project aimed to improve producer confidence and industry performance with the appointment of a national MBfP coordinator. The national coordinator was appointed to manage the state coordinators, ensure performance indicators were achieved and maintain quality monitoring and evaluation of the MBfP program.

Key findings

• Webinars were efficient and useful tools for delivering messages to participants who otherwise may not have been exposed to MBfP.
• In Victoria, pasture-based adjustments and improvements were the most common changes made as a result of MBfP and provided the greatest benefits to businesses.
• Consulting with private service providers to develop individual business plans was central to delivering the MBfP program in South Australia.
• It is becoming increasingly important to use technology to bridge the gap between isolated regions in remote Western Australia. MLA’s member database proved to be the most powerful tool to overcome these communication issues.

Benefits to industry

The MBfP program provides a central source of information, decision support tools, communication and learning activities designed to improve management and overall performance in southern Australian beef enterprises.

Future research

MBfP improved the methods for collecting and monitoring the measurement and evaluation data. There is an opportunity for future programs to build on this approach, such as using technology to capture and use the data.