L.EDG.2201 - EDGEnetwork Coordination and Support 2021-23 Final Report
Between July 2021 and June 2023, 73 EDGEnetwork workshops were delivered to 888 participants, helping to increase the knowledge and skills of red meat producers and advisors.
| Project start date: | 01 October 2021 |
| Project end date: | 28 February 2024 |
| Publication date: | 16 May 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
The EDGEnetwork offers practical workshops for red meat producers to increase knowledge and develop skills to improve their livestock enterprises. There are currently five training packages on offer, covering business, breeding, ruminant nutrition and grazing land management. Additional packages are also under development. The EDGEnetwork coordinator is responsible for coordinating the network of workshop deliverers across Australia, supporting the maintenance and review of workshop materials, promoting events, collating all M&E data and reporting on impact.
Objectives
The purpose of this project was to:
- Support MLA’s adoption strategy to deliver 45 EDGEnetwork workshops over two years
- Collate and maintain an M&E data reporting system for EDGEnetwork workshops and modules, including quarterly reporting and a project final report.
- Liaise with EDGEnetwork deliverers and oversee the service provider EDGE workshop register.
- Maintain a centralised, easily accessible repository for all EDGE workshop materials, tools, and promotional material with access for service providers.
- Maintain a national EDGE participant database.
- Manage enquiries from prospective participants and link them to relevant EDGEnetwork workshops.
- Support the update of EDGEnetwork materials as required to integrate new R&D or other information.
Key findings
Based on MLA's Producer Adoption Outcomes Report, between 2020-2023, EDGEnetwork provided participating producers with total net benefits of $284.4 million (calculated as net present value of adoption to 20245, discounted at 5% annually).
Benefits to industry
The EDGEnetwork provides many benefits for producers, and the coordination of the network ensures:
- consistent, high quality and relevant information is delivered to producers Australia-wide
- producers can access the latest R&D in a practical format, with direct application to their business
- consistent feedback and reporting can be used for ongoing improvement to EDGEnetwork materials and workshops.
MLA action
MLA continues to invest in the EDGEnetwork through coordination, upskilling of deliverers and development/updates to packages.
Future research
Future investment in an EDGE Coordinator will ensure continued successful operations and expansion of the EDGEnetwork.
More information
| Project manager: | Harriet Bawden |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | ETG Holdings Pty Ltd |
