15-Nov-2011

Beef cattle nutrition will be the topic for a series of one day workshops being run across the region by SEQ Catchments during late November. Presented by Russ Tyler, the sessions will give producers the opportunity to increase the profitability of their beef production enterprises by adopting tailored nutritional strategies.

Russ has a wealth of practical experience in ruminant nutrition, on-farm issues and research gained during his time spent at the Queensland Government’s Department of Primary Industries (DPI). For many years, Russ led the successful EDGE nutrition workshop series across Queensland where he helped beef producers to improve management practices and maintain productivity during droughts.

The workshop will allow property managers across SEQ to introduce nutritional innovation into their operations while balancing the dollars they spend. Producers attending the workshops will be shown how to better match pasture and feed options to their livestock needs and discuss solutions to nutritional problems.

Russ reminds people that having a good understanding of cattle nutrition is important not only during drought, but also following record rain events such as those of last summer.

“It’s important that producers have an understanding of the protein levels and digestibility of their pasture after a big wet season, because this year showed that even though there were large amounts of feed available, it often had lower nutritional value due to dilution of nutrients and the pastures reaching maturity more quickly.”

Bruce Lord from SEQ Catchments encourages local landholders who are interested in improving their profitability through improved nutrition to attend one of the workshops.

“The workshop covers key topics and relates them to the producers' enterprises," he said. "Ruminant nutrition, estimating feed value and implications for grazing management are covered, with a significant focus on understanding energy, protein, minerals and vitamin requirements of different classes of livestock and knowing what supplements to feed to improve animal performance and save money.''

“An important component of the workshop will be an initial session where cattle managers are asked to raise questions they would like to be addressed. Such an opportunity ensures everyone attending gets the most out of the day.''

The workshops will be held in three locations across the western catchments of South East Queensland, Beaudesert (Nov 22nd), Wivenhoe (Nov 23rd) and Upper Yarraman (Nov 24th). For more information contact Apanie Wood on 0457 106 252.

All beef producers throughout the area are invited to come along to the workshops which are sponsored by SEQ Catchments and the SEQ Regional Landcare Facilitator with funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country.

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Further information: Apanie Wood, Regional Landcare Facilitator, 0457 106 252, awood@seqcatchments.com.au