A NEW grazing strategies program launched today has the potential to improve producers’ skills, knowledge and confidence to make changes.

The Whole Farm Grazing Strategies program has been developed by Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and Victoria’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.

The course takes a new approach to extension and adoption, and will be conducted by approved trainers over two years, in six or seven one-day sessions each year, across Victoria, South Australia, southern New South Wales and southern Western Australia.

DEDJTR’s director of Agriculture Services, Dougal Purcell, said a pilot of the WFGS course showed that producers improved their skills and knowledge by 47 per cent and improved their confidence to make improvements on their farm by 48 per cent.

“Some of the changes that producers implemented included improved grazing management practices, setting up rotational grazing systems, more informed financial budgeting and growing improved perennial species to increase production,” Mr Purcell said.

“This course can make a real difference to on-farm profitability”.

Livestock producers across Victoria who are looking to make strategic changes to their operation are being encouraged to participate in the new training program, which takes a big-picture approach to improving profitability and sustainability.

Groups of 10-15 producers will make up groups with sessions held at different farm locations. The sessions are structured around seven themes:

Pastures for extensive livestock

Soils and land class

Livestock: Strategies to address production, environmental and lifestyle requirements

The nuts and bolts of grazing management

Tactical management to balance feed demand and supply

Making on-farm strategic change

Producer presentations of change on-farm

Trainers approved to run the course so far include nine in Victoria, three in southern New South Wales, two in South Australia and four in Western Australia.

MLA livestock productivity general manager Dr Jane Weatherley said the program delivers information, tools and decision-making processes from the EverGraze project and other related programs.

“The program recognises that every farm is unique and producers need to decide the solutions they need to be more profitable and make life easier.

“Different options are discussed throughout the course, and through group discussion, farm walks and presentation of experimental results, producers decide the best option for their farm.”

AWI fibre advocacy and eco-credentials program manager Angus Ireland said the program is mutually beneficial for livestock producers and the environment.

“The training package helps livestock producers prioritise what part of their operation they want to work on and give mutually beneficial outcomes for their business and the planet.

“Training programs like the WFGS that bring livestock producers together in one space are valuable in providing them with the opportunity to network and learn from each other.”

In Victoria, course deliverers are:

Andrew Speirs, Meridian Agriculture, Casterton, [email protected], 0428 685 172.

Graham Lean, Agrivet Business Consulting, Hamilton, [email protected], 0428 838 262.

Tim Leeming, Paradoo Consult, Pigeon Ponds, [email protected], 0427 797 242.

Stuart Warner, AGristology, Beechworth, [email protected], 0438 331 768.

Lisa Warn, McKinnon Group, Werribee, [email protected], 0418 748 607.

John Bowman, DEDJTR, Leongatha, [email protected], 0429 196 337.

Laura Garland, DEDJTR, Hamilton, [email protected], 0400 580 844.

James Whale, Meridian Agriculture, Casterton, [email protected], 0428 374 046.

Suzanne Briggs, DEDJTR, Rutherglen, [email protected], 0400 884 813.

In South Australia, course deliverers are:

Tim Prance, T. Prance Rural Consulting, Victor Harbor, [email protected], 0427 812 655.

Simon Ellis, Ellis Farm Consulting, Verdun, [email protected], 0402 027 235.

In southern NSW, course deliverers are:

Rob Inglis, Elders, Wagga Wagga, [email protected], 0439 739 055.

David Brown, Holmes Sackett, Wagga Wagga, [email protected], 0439 448 159.

Jim Virgona, Graminus Consulting, Wagga Wagga, [email protected], 0431 137 144.

In Western Australia, course deliverers are:

Lawrence Carslake, Farmanco, Narrogin, [email protected], 0407 441 157.

Brent Pritchard, Farmanco, Albany, [email protected], 0488 428 333.

Alana Starkie, PlanFarm Pty Ltd, Manjimup, [email protected], 0406 494 927.

Mark Allington, Icon Agriculture, Darkan, [email protected], 0428 927 034.

Source: MLA