ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE BUSINESS MANAGEMENTC Agents for change Peter Gordon, Project Manager (left) and Cameron Wilson, Livestock Manager QLD, at the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Conference in Darwin. Photo: Fossil Photos Producers often turn to to their northern clients, based on MLA agents when they need research findings. help with decision‑making. “The project uses the Elders network The Elders Innovation to increase uptake of MLA research Project, funded by MLA Donor and development outcomes. This will Company, is helping to boost the ultimately increase the profitability, benefits of these agent/producer productivity and sustainability of the relationships and break down red meat industry,” Ted said. barriers to adoption of northern The Elders Innovation Project is initially beef R&D. focused on existing R&D that’s not Project Manager Peter Gordon, Elderswidely adopted. Australia, said the project was basedTed said this included research on on building strong relationships thebenefits of: with producers through education • using leucaena to increase live weight and involvement. gain and fill the winter feed gap “Elders saw the need for change in the• phosphorous supplementation way producers and agents operate • using Estimated Breeding Values together,” Peter said. (EBVs) to achieve breeding objectives. “I envisage this project would continueCase studies featuring producers to operate beyond the three years. who’ve implemented these research “In that time, we’ll have built up learningfindings are being developed. Check and tools, and the skills to help out a couple of the early case studies develop and retain people within theon the following pages. ■ livestock business.” Peter Gordon Ted Parish, MLA Adoption Manager T: 0419 123 797 – Northern Beef, said the project focuses on building the capability and Ted Parish capacity of Elders livestock staff to E: tparish@mla.com.au provide high‑quality technical advice T: 07 3620 5239 33