Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has been investing in adoption initiatives to benefit producers, and the latest Producer Adoption Outcomes Report shows the positive impact of these investments. In 2023-24, MLA’s adoption programs delivered $74.3 million in annual net benefits to over 10,000 producers.
Sally Leigo, MLA’s Program Manager for Adoption, highlighted that the adoption programs aim to help producers enhance their production, profitability, and sustainability. These programs offer a range of services, including training products, group learning, one-on-one coaching, and resources to support producers in improving their business skills and livestock management practices.
The Producer Adoption Outcomes Report for 2023-24 revealed that participating landholders managed over 219.4 million hectares of Australian agricultural land and cared for more than 14.6 million cattle, 9.1 million sheep, and 647,950 goats. MLA’s flagship programs, such as Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS), Producer Demonstration Sites (PDS), EDGE Network, and BredWell FedWell (BWFW), have been instrumental in providing valuable information and support to producers.
Profitable Grazing Systems (PGS)
In 2023-24, the PGS program demonstrated growth in engagement and return on investment for producers. The program involved 441 producers, with participants experiencing an average annual net benefit ranging from $5.53 to $7.52 per hectare for southern producers and $6 to $26 per square kilometre for northern producers. A new offering, the LevelUp package, was introduced to guide producers in transforming their family farms into successful family businesses through strategic planning, governance, investment, and succession planning.
Producer Demonstration Sites (PDS)
The PDS program aims to drive the adoption of key management practices and technologies to enhance business profitability, productivity, and sustainability. In 2023-24, MLA supported 83 active projects through the PDS program, resulting in additional net benefits for producers ranging from $2.29 to $5.89 per hectare annually. The program funded a mix of levy projects, co-contributor projects, and Integrated R&D projects to facilitate knowledge sharing and adoption of best practices.
EDGE Network
MLA’s EDGE Network offers producers the opportunity to enhance their livestock enterprises through workshops that focus on developing essential skills. With eight courses available, including new additions like Carbon EDGE and Southern Rangelands Grazing Fundamentals EDGE, the program saw 545 producers participating in workshops during 2023-24. Producers attending these workshops stand to gain significant benefits, with estimated annual average benefits of up to $6.21 per hectare for southern producers and up to $100 per square kilometre for northern producers.
BredWell FedWell (BWFW)
The BWFW workshop underwent a revamp in 2023 to align with evolving best practices in genetics and nutrition management. This one-day workshop focuses on improving productivity and profitability through effective breeding and feeding practices over the livestock production cycle. In 2023, 347 producers participated in BWFW workshops, with 94% indicating their intent to implement changes based on the knowledge gained.
In conclusion, MLA’s adoption programs have continued to deliver significant benefits to Australian red meat and livestock producers, with over $1.1 billion in total net benefits generated since 2015. By providing valuable resources, training, and support, these programs empower producers to enhance their business skills and livestock management practices, ultimately leading to improved production, profitability, and sustainability in the agricultural sector. For more details on the MLA Producer Adoption Outcomes Report 2023-24, visit the MLA website. To learn more about MLA’s Producer adoption R&D initiatives, visit the Producer Adoption page.
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What are your thoughts on the impact of MLA’s adoption programs on Australian livestock producers? How can these initiatives further support the sustainability and profitability of the agricultural sector in Australia? Share your comments and questions below to join the conversation.
