ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE INNOVATION Northern beef: what’s in the pipeline? Mitigating herd methane 1. Expanding leucaena 3. Feeding breeders emissions, boosting The recent release of Redlands, the The Sweet Spot project is investigating calf survival and lifting psyllid‑resistant variety of leucaena forways to improve breeder performance feedbase performance high rainfall zones, has expanded the by identifying, for the first time, optimal are just some of the research area in northern Australia where leucaenapasture utilisation. and development (R&D) projects can be grown to finish high‑value beef. “There’s an untapped gold mine of data underway for northern Australia’s In addition, MLA Donor Company, with on breeding herd production from sites grassfed beef producers. the University of Queensland and WA across northern Australia,” Nigel said. MLA R&D Project Manager for Department of Primary Industries andi Researchers are collecting data to Regional Development, s investigatingi identify pasture utilisation rates and Grassfed Beef, Nigel Tomkins, gave the potential for a sterile varety an overview of what’s in the pipeline of leucaena. improve the capacity of models to (and why) at a recent BeefUp Forum predict breeder performance. held at Mareeba, Queensland. “This work will contribute significantly “This collated breeder performance to te adoption of eucaena acrossh l dataset will be the first of its kind and He said MLA is not only investing the NT and WA, and will help in in R&D but is developing practical negotiating state legislation to allow thiswill be a lasting legacy.” strategies for improved productivity deep‑rooted perennial legume to add 4. Calf survival focus through on‑farm management, new valueto native pastures,” Nigel said. Calf loss is a key issue for the beef feedbase options, improvements in sector in northern Australia, and MLA is animal health and breeder performance. 2. New ways to graze Work is underway to show how working with several partners on new “The real challenge is getting full rangeland self‑herding can be used to guidelines to boost calf survival. advantage of this R&D on‑farm to positively influence grazing patterns A consortium to address calf loss deliver productivity gains and cost of cattle. is now being scoped, with R&D efficiencies on your farm.” outcomes defined to better understand Some of the projects which aim to give This project will validate preliminary underlying causes. ■ producers tools to realise these gains data from a producer group trial that has include the following: used the practices of self‑herding to manage grazing patterns and increase Nigel Tomkins pregnancy rates of heifers. E: ntomkins@mla.com.au MLA investment in R&D for the north was showcased at the 2019 Northern Beef Research Update Conference, August 19–22. Visit nbruc2019.com for more information. Tools for northern beef producers: • Northern breeder tips and tools: mla.com.au/reproperformance • Leucaena: A guide to establishment and management (search via mla.com.au/publications) • Calf survival: mla.com.au/calf‑survival MLA’s Nigel Tomkins (right) with Redlands seed supplier Peter Larsen, Leucseeds, Banana, Queensland, examining leucaena. 17