B.PAS.0363 - Feedbase Program - Short term support consultancy

Summary

From 2017 human capacity in the feedbase program area was not been commensurate with accommodating portfolio size, capturing opportunities or addressing imposed challenges. Justification for this proposal and proposition was based on portfolio size, complexity, relationships, and interdependencies within MLA and across RDCs. The project provided short term human capacity to complete multiple ad hoc tasks to support completion of work.
This short term contract is to assist the implementation of the Feedbase Program business plan by providing a technical and pasture industry supply chain perspective via tasks supporting project development, implementation, review and next steps in research direction and delivery products.

The Feedbase sub program has been a key feature of producer defined annual priorities and has been very successful in capturing external funding opportunities (Federal government and cross RDC) and delivering on producer priorities. This success has led to an expanding portfolio and budget allocation and cross company collaboration into other sub programs such as environment and sustainability.

Objectives

As required by the MLA Manager provide supporting tasks towards:
1. Development of new R&D projects and facilitate their establishment as agreed with the MLA Manager.
2. Development of contracts supporting the implementation of the Feedbase Business plan
3. As required, provide technical review and pasture industry perspectives of the progress and value of projects towards MLA and industry strategic objectives
4. Maintain operational relationships with producers, R&D providers and other stakeholders as required by MLA

Key findings

- Southern Australia Advisor's review on site locations for Pasture Trialing network
- Industry and retailer Insights on pasture trialing and the PTN
- External commentary / perspective of milestone reports
- Review and "strawperson'' thinking on northern pasture R&D
- Pasture dieback executive officer support for Industry Advisory Group

Benefits to industry

Components of the Feedbase sub program always feature in the industry priorities nationally, and as a solution towards accommodating variable seasons and future climates. Thus, successful implementation of the Feedbase sub program is critical to ensure industry benefit from planning and execution of R&D projects.

MLA action

MLA used the outcomes of this project to inform direction of new investments, and ensure successful implementation of the Feedbase R&D and delivery,

Future research

- Pasture trialing network redevelopment and new project
- Informed the Queensland Pasture Resilience program’s component projects
- Dieback research – informed by industry