P.PSH.0895-Tullimba: Centre of Excellence for Feedlot

Summary

The Feedlot Program 2020 Strategic Plan highlighted the need for the Australian feedlot sector to have access to a dedicated, industry relevant research facility, particularly for undertaking productivity related R&D projects, which require multiple replicates of treatments, applied to small numbers of cattle per treatment group, under controlled conditions.

Investment by UNE and the federal government via MDC formed the basis for upgrading Tullimba feedlot where novel and emerging technologies could be developed and evaluated to provide improved productivity, management, profitability, animal welfare and a reduced environmental footprint for Australian feedlots.

Objectives

• Upgrade infrastructure, equipment, and procedures so Tullimba offered a commercially relevant research feedlot with quality-assured grain processing and delivery to cattle on-feed.

• Establish an industry-based advisory group for Tullimba with regular meetings.

Key findings

• Upgrades to infrastructure and equipment were completed but there were insufficient funds for upgrades to pen infrastructure. The tempering feed system and delivery system generally met or exceeded processing performance benchmarks.
• Standard Operating Procedures were completely reviewed and new Standard Operating Procedures developed where required. These form the basis of quality-assured grain processing and delivery and management of cattle on-feed.
• An industry based advisory group was established for Tullimba consisting of a feedlot consulting nutritionist, the MLA Feedlot Program manager and UNE SMART Farms Research and Engagement Manager.
• A total of 37 projects, funded by 23 providers, with a value of $10.15m have been successfully commissioned and/or completed at Tullimba since 2018. A further $20m of projects have been committed that will commence in 2022.

Benefits to industry

The upgrades to infrastructure, equipment, and procedures at Tullimba feedlot have established Tullimba as an industry facility that provides commercially-relevant conditions under which tightly controlled and well-designed experiments and data recording are conducted that address productivity, welfare and greenhouse gas emissions. During the period of this project, many other improvements were implemented by UNE with its research and industry partners.

MLA action

MLA continues to conduct feedlot research in UNE Tullimba feedlot on an open tender basis.

Future research

Tullimba is a unique research asset enabling modern research in greenhouse gas suppression, cattle management, nutrition and genetics for the beef industry. Moving forward, UNE is keen to partner with MLA, commercial companies and the industry to advance the sustainability and profitability of beef production. As part of this proposed next step, the role and make-up of an Industry Advisory Group should be discussed to ensure developments meet the current and future needs of the feedlot sector.