The SMARTBEEF Project
- Build confidence through knowledge
- Be empowered by data
- Transform your business
Get involved in SMARTBEEF — an exciting new project that will add value to your beef operation
The SMARTBEEF Project aims to equip southern Western Australian beef producers with the tools, knowledge and support networks needed to make data-driven decisions that improve business resilience and profitability.
Kicking off in April 2025, the project will:
- leverage myFARMSMART, a customisable economic tool, to support producers in analysing their own numbers so they can tailor decisions to their operation
- focus on producer empowerment and skill development rather than prescription
- foster collaboration through peer networks, expert guidance and engagement with key industry players, creating a strong support system for ongoing learning and adaptation.
Tackling challenges faced by southern WA beef producers
The SMARTBEEF team is working towards helping southern WA beef producers tackle the challenges they face on a daily basis, particularly the impacts of climatic conditions on:
Optimising time of calving and weaning weights
Aligning herd nutrition with seasonal feed availability
Managing market options by gaining insights into product value related to market demands
Built around key pillars of successful beef enterprises, the project focuses on supporting producers to cut through time-wasting management tasks, streamline decision making and focus on strategies that drive efficiency, profitability and sustainability across the entire supply chain.
Join a SMARTBEEF producer group
The SMARTBEEF Project is establishing five groups of up to 10 producers in southern WA. Each group will be supported by a group coordinator and a focus farm host.
Within these groups, producers will:
- set directions for their own business
- share experiences and address challenges
- identify learning and development opportunities
- work towards the project's profitability and resilience.
How it works
Producer groups will be supported by a group coordinator and a focus farm host.
As part of one of these groups, you will:
- undertake self-directed, producer-focused learning
- visit industry leadsers in the supply chain
- learn from your peers and the focus farms
- use myFARMSMART to empower your decision making (valued at $7,000)
- benchmark using data from 100 other businesses.
Producers will attend half-day sessions regularly from April 2025 to September 2026 to learn more about:
- target markets
- market demand and specifications
- meeting markets efficiently and cost-effectively
- time of calving and weaner management
- forage options
- nutritional management
- pasture/grazing management
- assessing business parameters
- identifying improvement opportunities with myFARMSMART scenario analysis.
Participating producers will have the opportunity to be involved in podcasts and case studies showcasing the results of the project.
The project will be supported by four focus farms - see locations below.
The host farmer for each of these focus farms will:
- share their knowledge, innovations, and strategies
- host learning workshops and annual field days
- play a key role in the project’s data collection efforts
- serve as a meeting point for producer groups.
Our host farmers are already using innovative and effective management strategies to grow their weaners and meat market specifications that suit their business. Take advantage of their experience and knowledge and sign up to one of our producer groups today!
Benefits
Use exclusive tools
Producers will gain exclusive access to myFARMSMART, a farm management and analysis software program valued at $7,000. Find out more about the tool in this video.
Learn from industry experts
Producers will have access to expertise from University of Adelaide, the Davies Livestock Research Centre, the Y. O’Connor ERADE Village Foundation and producer/grower groups. The SMARTBEEF Project will facilitate workshops and learning sessions involving a range of industry experts.
Access a comprehensive resource library
Participants will have access to:
- survey results
- case studies
- fact sheets
- podcasts
- field days
- webinars tailored to support success.
Grow your network
Connect with peers, advisors and supply chain participants to learn how to improve your business and discover fresh ideas.
Project team
LA.ONE Economics & Consulting, Western Beef Association and University of Adelaide are partnering with MLA Donor Company to enable producers to engage in this project.
Time and cost
The first producer group will start in April 2025 and finish in September 2026, and the second producer group will start in May/June 2026 and finish in December 2027.
Each group will:
- attend several meetings over 18 months
- attend the annual field days
- engage in self-directed peer-to-peer learning.
Factors impacting the time involved for each participant include:
- how much value a producer wants from the project
- initial set-up with myFARMSMART software and ongoing support if required
- interactions with other group members and producer group coordinators.
There will be several development days at the focus farm for each producer group over the project duration.
Participation in the project involves a net cost to producers of $2,000/year, totalling $4,000 over the project period.
Producers will make four payments to the project and receive four payments from the project for submitting data and completing tasks, as outlined in the schedule below.
|
Payment structure |
Producer pays |
Producer receives |
Criteria |
|
Initial payment (sign agreement) |
$2,500 |
$1,500 |
Complete project survey |
|
6-month payment |
$2,500 |
$1,500 |
Submit farm data |
|
12-month payment |
$2,500 |
$1,500 |
Submit myFARMSMART PDF report |
|
Final payment |
$2,500 |
$1,500 |
Submit myFARMSMART scenarios and benchmark report |
|
|
$10,000 |
$6,000 |
|
The tasks required to receive payments are relatively simple and producers will be fully supported by team members and facilitators to complete them.
Project advisory group
The project advisory group plays a key role in ensuring the success of SMARTBEEF by providing valuable feedback and insights from the farming community. The group:
- consists of experienced producers who contribute to decision making
- offers advice on best practices
- helps to shape the direction of the project.
The group's input ensures that the project remains relevant, practical and beneficial for producers across the region.
