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Project Status
Open

Project Date
May 2025 - June 2026

Project Partner
Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture

Project 
Overview

The Profitable and Resilient Southern Beef Herds project is five-year, $6.5 million RDE&A project funded through the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Donor Company, led by the University of Adelaide in collaboration with TIA, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions, and approximately 200 contributing beef businesses across Southern Australia.

The project aims to increase lifetime cow productivity, improve beef business profitability, support data-driven decision-making, and equip producers with tools to improve drought and climate resilience. 

As part of this broader initiative, the TAS Farm Innovation Hub is supporting targeted extension activities in Tasmania through to June 2026. These activities focus on sustainable livestock management and include:

  • Delivery of updated More Beef from Pastures (MBfP) training modules, tailored for Tasmanian producers and advisors. Topics include business planning, risk management, feedbase optimisation, beef genetics, and maternal productivity.
  • Establishment of long-term MBfP peer-to-peer groups, facilitated by trained advisors to support ongoing producer development.
  • Workshops and advisor training sessions, aimed at building capacity and confidence in applying best-practice livestock management.
  • A field day showcasing findings from the first replicate of 1,000 heifers, highlighting the impact of improved feedbase utilisation on growth, reproduction, and soil/pasture health.

The project is also extending research into the commercial application of virtual fencing and its benefits for animal welfare, pasture management, and business efficiency. Case studies are being developed to demonstrate its practical value to producers.

By combining hands-on learning, updated training content, and applied research, this initiative supports sustainable growth, strengthens industry resilience, and boosts producer confidence in adopting innovative drought-resilient livestock management practices.

Where 
its up to

Delivery of the More Beef from Pastures (MBfP) workshops has commenced, with recruitment now underway for producers interested in joining two-year learning groups. These long-term groups will support practical skill development and peer learning in beef herd and pasture management.

In parallel, research is progressing on three case studies exploring the commercial application of virtual fencing technology in beef production:

  • Case Study 1: Investigating heifer growth during winter fodder beet grazing using virtual fencing at Landfall Angus.
  • Case Study 2: A large-scale trial on King Island comparing intensive virtual-fencing-managed grazing with conventional grazing across 1,000 Angus heifers.
  • Case Study 3: A small-scale producer trial focused on practical experiences and day-to-day use of virtual fencing technology.

These case studies will provide valuable insights into the benefits of virtual fencing for productivity, pasture utilisation, and livestock management.

How to 
get involved

Producers interested in participating in More Beef from Pastures program in 2026 should contact Megan Verdon [details]