IN BRIEF RD&A funding applications nowopen Matching feed to climate variability, a vaccine for internal parasites in sheep and improving calf survival are in the spotlight in the latest round of MLA research funding. Applications are now open for researchers to submit preliminary proposals for funding to support on‑farm research, development and adoption (RD&A) projects that benefit sheepmeat and grassfed beef producers. MLA’s investment call is aimed at attracting projects from individuals, MLA General Manager, Research, reproductive outcomes, and the organisations and project teams which Development and Adoption, Michael associated productivity gains, remains address the RD&A priorities identified Crowley, said researchers are a significant opportunity.” for the sheepmeat and grassfed beef encouraged to work collaboratively industries for 2021–22. on project proposals and involve Researchers are encouraged to producers or producer groups develop an adoption pathway within The priorities were determined proposed projects suitable for the following extensive consultation with where possible. research outputs. This may consider, red meat producers through MLA’s “This approach is part of MLA’s focus but not be limited to MLA adoption regional consultation process. on delivering programs of work that programs such as integrated R&D The 2021–22 priorities are: address producer priorities and deliver Producer Demonstration Sites (PDS) or greater benefits and impacts for the Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS). industry,” Michael said. “Looking at northern beef production “The development of a vaccine against systems, proposals are sought through scour worms, identified as a priority by a specific and separate tender process producers, would be a potential game‑ for RD&A activities that directly align Driving on‑farm practice change to changer for Australian sheep producers. increase whole of life cow productivity with the development of the Northern for southern beef production systems “Internal parasites have the costliest Breeding Business (NB2) strategic impact of all endemic conditions on research partnership (see page profitable sheep production – almost 5), which came out MLA’s 2019–20 the entire Australian sheep flock is investment call,” Michael said. ■ challenged by scour worm infestation. “For southern beef producers, proposals Hayley Robinson Matching feed supply in a variable are sought for developing and MLA Consultation Program Manager landscape to a changing climate delivering extension packages that will E: hrobinson@mla.com.au result in improvements in reproductive How to apply performance throughout a breeder’s A request for tender based on the productive life as a result of adoption of 2021–22 RD&A priorities for A scour worm vaccine for sheep selected management techniques. sheepmeat and grassfed beef and “The productivity of the southern a MLA preliminary proposal beef sector has the potential to template can be downloaded from improve if management strategies mla.com.au/investmentcall which concentrate on reproductive Preliminary proposals should be performance are put in place. submitted electronically in Microsoft Breeder herd efficiency and calf Word format to MLA at projectcall@ survival for northern production “There’s a wealth of information and mla.com.au before 11.59pm AEDT, systems (NB2 project – see page 5) resources available to producers but Friday 2 October 2020 practice change leading to improved 6