30-Nov-2011

Cattle nutrition workshops run by SEQ Catchments had a successful turnout last week, with over 80 landholders attending three workshops across the western catchments of South East Queensland.

Presented by Russ Tyler the sessions were intended to give producers the opportunity to increase the sustainability and profitability of their beef production enterprises by managing their land according to its capability and 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 allowed property managers across SEQ to introduce nutritional innovation into their operations while balancing the dollars they spend. Producers attending the workshops were shown how to better match pasture and feed options to their livestock needs and discuss solutions to nutritional problems.

Russ reminded 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.”

Regional Landcare Facilitator based at SEQ Catchments, Apanie Wood said , “The workshop covered key topics and directly addressed nutrition and land management issues raised by producers on the day."   

"Ruminant nutrition, estimating pasture condition, feed value and implications for grazing management were 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,’’ she said.

‘‘One of the key points reinforced during the day was that in any grazing enterprise pastures are the main source of nutrients and by maintaining land in good condition with healthy diverse pastures, landholders will be not only improving their sustainability but also the profitability of their grazing business”.  

The workshops were sponsored by the SEQ Regional Landcare Facilitator with funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country program and are part of SEQ Catchments ongoing sustainable grazing program, with further grazing and pasture management workshops planned in 2012. Look out for upcoming events in our events calendar.