L.PGS.1801 - PGS State Coordinator - Tasmania
Profitable Grazing Systems is MLA's flagship adoption program.
| Project start date: | 14 September 2017 |
| Project end date: | 31 May 2022 |
| Publication date: | 20 May 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Tasmania |
Summary
Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS) was developed as Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA’s flagship adoption program) to build on previous extension and adoption programs, Making More from Sheep and More Beef from Pastures. Commencing in 2017, the overall objective of PGS is to increase profitability of red meat producers by improving their skills and capability. This has been achieved though the PGS design of a supported learning model – technical content delivered in a peer group learning environment and facilitated by an experienced coach. Over the five years that PGS has been active in Tasmania, there has been a significant increase in awareness of the Profitable Grazing Systems program and the opportunities that it provides to both participating producers and industry professionals. Over the first 5 years of the PGS program, 16
supported learning packages (SLPs) have been delivered by Tasmanian PGS coaches and 205 producers have actively participated in an SLP.
Objectives
The overarching objective of the PGS program is to encourage and support red meat producers to improve their management skills, to increase profit. The program objectives to be completed by 2022 are:
1. To increase the average profitability of participating red meat producers by 2.5% ROAM by improving their skills and capability.
2. A commercial model which involves user pays for the private good component of the activity (generally the delivery), with MLA contributing a maximum of 30% of the delivery cost of supported leaning projects.
3. 5,000 producers attend feeder activities with 10 -15% of them going on to participate in a supported learning program.
4. 2,900 producers participate in supported learning programs to increase their skills and knowledge:
a. 2,150 producers increase their skills and knowledge above a skills audit score of 75% (competent);
b. 50 deliverers have increased capability to a point where they can deliver effective high quality supported learning programs;
c. Increase the average confidence rating of participating producers to use key skill sets or do key tasks to greater than 8/10;
d. At least 70% of participating producers have made practice changes underpinned by a change in skills.
Key findings
Delivery of supported learning packages in Tasmania has been based primarily around Pasture Principles.
The inclusion of Pasture Principles in PGS has facilitated more groups to be delivered and has supported the upskilling of early-career consultants to be deliverers. The development of off-the-shelf (OTS) packages has offered opportunities to consultants who otherwise could not deliver supported learning packages and to early-career consultants to help develop networks and client bases.
Benefits to industry
Profitable Grazing Systems has had a successful five years of delivery in Tasmania. Over the five years of the project, the State Coordinators have established a strong delivery network across Tasmania and have been successful in raising awareness of the Profitable Grazing Systems program and the opportunities available to both producers and deliverers.
MLA action
MLA continues to deliver the Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS) program, supporting participants to have the opportunity to develop and practice skills with small groups of like-minded producers to improve business performance.
More information
| Project manager: | Elizabeth Thelander |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Pinion Advisory Trust |
