July 16, 2018
Australia embarks on joint collaboration in ruminant research worth US$26 million
Under Australia's Livestock Productivity Partnership (LPP), a research and development (R&D) collaboration between the MLA Donor Company (MDC), NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of New England and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 11 new research projects were announced last week.
The research projects, worth AU$35 million (US$26 million) over a period of five years, are focused on developing more feedbase options and increasing feed efficiency while covering key areas of red meat productivity, shared Dr. Ian Johnsson, LPP Chair.
"When commenced, research will include grazing systems, from new pasture varieties to fertiliser management, as well as strategic research into more efficient animal and novel supplement delivery systems," he added.
Additionally, R&D will focus on helping livestock producers address erratic weather patterns and more variable rainfall patterns.
"In NSW for example, projects are looking at new options for pastures and crops that will respond to increased summer rainfall."
"There are also new technologies and scientific approaches that will be utilised to help address feed efficiency in ruminants so we can boost production and ensure the industry remains competitive with other proteins," Johnsson said.
Some of the projects include:
|
Project |
Lead organisation |
|
Improving the use of forage brassicas in mixed farming systems |
CSIRO |
|
Increasing livestock production by integrating tropical pastures into farming systems |
NSW Department of Primary Industries |
|
Extending the boundaries of legume adaption through better soil management in high rainfall zones |
NSW Department of Primary Industries |
|
Perennial pasture and forage combinations to extend summer feed in southern NSW |
CSIRO |
|
Improving profit from pasture through increased feed efficiency |
CSIRO/NSW Department of Primary Industries |
|
Developing a framework for tactical decision making to address feed deficits |
NSW Department of Primary Industries |
