4 March 2009

1 minute read

Oceania

Up to five on-farm research and demonstration projects will be funded in this current round and applications must be submitted to MLA by Friday 20 March.

With a focus on sustainable, profitable beef production and efficient management of the feedbase, the projects will be part of MLA’s PDS programme.

The aim of the programme is to support groups of beef producers and extension staff to demonstrate, develop and adopt priority research technologies and findings.

According to Jane Weatherley, MLA’s Adoption Manager – Cattle, the aim of the PDS is to support producers to establish if an innovation is appropriate for their region and if so, how to implement new practices into their business management.

“Innovation through research is a crucial foundation to improving a producer’s business, but converting that innovation into practical application is what it is all about,” Ms Weatherley said.

“One of the best ways to ensure that innovation is adopted is to provide the means for local adaptation and relevance through producer groups.

“With financial assistance from MLA, producer groups will be able to tailor a project to a specific need in a specific region; it’s up to the group’s enthusiasm to drive it from there.”

Projects ideally should focus on the commercial implementation, validation and adoption of outputs from MLA’s southern beef programme supported research.

TheCattleSite News Desk