Livestock industries projects
A summary of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) livestock industries current and recently completed projects is shown below.
Our projects are organised into 8 themes:
- Managing the feedbase for optimal production
- Improving reproductive productivity through the application of genetic principles and technology
- Optimising productivity through nutritional management
- Animal husbandry and management
- Buffalo and other livestock species
- International livestock industries development benefiting Australia
- Economics and development of the pastoral industry
- Extension and adoption.
In addition to the above, DAF also has other business units responsible for agricultural diversification, cropping and hay production, market development, investment attraction, animal welfare and biosecurity.
Each quarter, DAF publishes a Pastoral Feed Outlook summarising seasonal conditions, pasture growth, standing dry matter levels, fire risk and drought risk. Subscribe to the NT Pastoral Feed Outlook.
For more information on the progress and findings of our projects, see annual research reports, contact the project leader, or go to the FutureBeef website.
1. Managing the feedbase for optimal production
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | Timeframe | Collaborators | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'The Sweet Spot': improving breeder herd performance through optimal pasture utilisation | A multi-agency desktop project to quantify the effect of pasture utilisation rates on reproductive performance of beef cattle across northern Australia (including central Australia). Update: COVID lockdowns and movement restrictions has delayed the modelling of the case study sites, but progress is being made on modelling sites in the Alice, Sturt, Katherine and Barkly regions. Location: Desktop study and modelling. | Robyn Cowley | 2018-24 | QDAF, QDES, Karingal Systems, MLA | FutureBeef website |
NT carrying capacity project |
Ongoing research and development to refine the scientific derivation of sustainable carrying capacity estimates for different land types. Location: Various commercial properties and computer assessment. | Robyn Cowley | Ongoing | - | FutureBeef website |
| Pasture sustainability at Kidman Springs |
Monitoring the long-term sustainability of the carrying capacity estimates for Kidman Springs. Update: No data collected in 2021. Will assess again in June 2022. Location: VRRS | Caz Pettit | Ongoing | - | - |
| Shruburn: long-term fire experiment at Kidman Springs |
Long-term experiment assessing the best timing and frequency of prescribed burning to control woody vegetation thickening whilst maintaining optimal pasture condition. Update: The latest results were presented at the ARS conference. They suggest burning is more important on black soils because dry years don’t knock back woody increases and pasture growth is more affected by woody cover on black soils than red soils. Location: VRRS | Robyn Cowley | Ongoing | - | |
| Quality Graze - Central Australia |
Demonstration of how sustainable stocking rates can improve land condition, animal performance and profitability in arid areas. Update: 2011-2021 animal and pasture data collection and analysis has been completed. The final report is due for completion by the end of 2022. The 2022 data will be collected to gauge the land condition response following two consecutive La Nina events. Location: OMP | Chris Materne | Ongoing | - | Quality graze so much more than a rotational grazing project PDF (2.3 MB) |
| Implementing a rotational grazing and prescribed burning program at Kidman Springs - practicing what we preach |
Demonstration of how to successfully integrate a rotational grazing and burning program at the property scale. Update: Two paddocks were burnt in October 2021. The 2021/22 wet season at VRRS was very poor (8th percentile), and pasture monitoring is continuing. Location: VRRS | Caz Pettit | Ongoing | - | - |
| Managing gamba grass with rotational grazing at Douglas Daly Research Farm |
Investigating how to best use grazing to reduce the spread of gamba grass whilst achieving good animal production outcomes. Update: Rotational grazing is giving good cattle growth rates and preventing gamba grass from seeding and spreading. Location: DDRF | Tim Schatz | 2018-24 | - | Top Paddock - 08/2019 PDF (4.2 MB) |
| Rain ready Rangelands | Aims to demonstrate research-derived grazing management strategies on commercial properties. Involves a ‘Paddock Challenge’ in which learnings from the OMP Quality Graze project are implemented on commercial properties and cattle performance and land condition will be measured. Work is currently underway at Mt Denison and Mulga Park stations. Work on the Barkly will focus on providing demonstrations of how spelling can influence Mitchell grass recovery using multispectral drone imagery, vegetation assessments, individual plant monitoring and soil health assessments. Update: Fieldwork is on schedule and the project is due to finish in June 2024. A final report will be submitted to MLA. | Caz Pettit | 2022-2024 | TNRM | FutureBeef website |
2. Improving reproductive productivity through the application of genetic principles and technology
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | Timeframe | Collaborators | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repronomics II: accelerated genetic improvement of reproduction |
To increase the accuracy of fertility EBVs which will improve the rate of progress through genetic selection for Brahman and tropical composite cattle. Collaboration with AGBU and QDAF. Update: Ovary scanning to determine age at puberty and post partum interval after first calving is continuing, and DNA samples are being submitted for genotyping. Location: DDRF, VRRS, BHF | Tim Schatz and Gretel Bailey-Preston | 2020-24 | UNE, AGBU, QDAF, MLA | FutureBeef website |
| Selection for fertility in a Brahman herd | Long-term demonstration of how selection for fertile Brahman genetics can improve herd performance. Being conducted in conjunction with Repronomics II. | Gretel Bailey-Preston | Ongoing | - | FutureBeef website |
| Comparison of multibreed composite and Brahman breeder productivity |
Comparing the performance of purebred Brahman cattle to composite breeds to achieve good production outcomes and reduce market risk. Being conducted in conjunction with Repronomics II. Location: VRRS, DDRF, KRS | Gretel Bailey-Preston | Ongoing | - | - |
| Improving breeder herd efficiency in the arid region with performance recording and objective selection |
Demonstration of how to use objective selection data and practices to increase adaptation to Central Australian conditions. Location: OMP | Jocelyn Coventry | Ongoing | - | - |
3. Optimising productivity through nutritional management
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | Timeframe | Collaborators | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Easy P' phosphorus supplementation project |
Determine if an easy to implement method of P supplementation is an effective method for producers in P deficient areas who find it difficult to supplement during the wet season. Also conduct a producer demonstration site (PDS) demonstrating the method. Update: Results so far show that the 'Easy P' treatment is providing similar results to traditional wet season supplementation. Location: VRRS | Tim Schatz | 2020-25 | QDAF, WA DPIRD, MLA, NB2 | - |
| Crops for Cattle | The project aims to foster intensification of the northern cattle industry by integrating northern cropping and cattle production systems to increase weight gains of cattle during the dry season. It will investigate the feasibility and profitability of supplementary feeding strategies (using feeds produced in northern Australia) to increase cattle weight gain over the post weaning dry season, resulting in a higher proportion of steers being turned off after one post weaning wet season and more efficient heifer performance from increased pre-mating weights. Work will be conducted on 8 commercial properties and 2 DAF Research stations in the Katherine and Top End regions. | Tim Schatz | 2023-2026 | CRCNA | FutureBeed website |
| Victoria River District Legume Establishment Demonstration | The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), in collaboration with the University of New England (UNE), has developed legume establishment trials at three commercial pastoral properties and one research station in the Victoria River District. The project aims to investigate sowing times, seed bed preparation and species composition to optimise establishment in the 600-800mm annual rainfall zone of the Victoria River District. | Caz Pettit | 2023-2024 | University of New England | FutureBeef website |
4. Animal husbandry and management
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | Timeframe | Collaborators | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calf Alive | The project aims to investigate the interaction between nutrition and environmental extremes on calf wastage and herd productivity. It involves supplying high protein supplements to cattle prior to calving and studying the effects on calf loss using various technologies. | Tim Schatz/ Georgia Glasson | 2022-25 | UQ, QDAF | FutureBeef website |
| Studies on the effectiveness and benefit of various insecticidal ear tags | Ongoing short term studies at BHF and DDRF investigating options to reduce the impact of biting insects on livestock, and collaborate with external companies in developing new tags. | Tim Schatz | As required | YTex | Top Paddock - 08/2019 PDF (4.2 MB) |
| Calf loss studies | A new project is being developed and work is continueing to identify calving from accelerometer data collected during the CalfWatch project and in subsequent years. | Tim Schatz, Christie Pearson | CQU |
5. Buffalo and other livestock species
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | Timeframe | Collaborators | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo crossbreeding / tenderbuff / live export development and supply |
Long-term ongoing project at BHF to improve the genetics of buffalo and ensure best practice transport and stunning practices and market development. Update: The buffalo research has been scaled back and the herd size reduced since the retirement of Barry Lemcke. Artificial insemination programs are
continuing using top Italian Riverine dairy semen. Location: BHF | paused | - | - | Agrifutures website |
| Buffalo welfare project | The project has four main objectives:
Identify the opportunities for economically feasible buffalo harvesting on traditional lands whilst achieving acceptable animal welfare outcomes and meeting the economic development, cultural, and ecological goals of indigenous communities. | Gretel Bailey-Preston/Grant Hamilton | 2023-2026 | CRCNA, AgriFutures |
6. Technical services for overseas markets
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | Timeframe | Collaborators | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No current projects | No current projects | - | - | - | - |
7. Economics and development of the pastoral industry
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | Timeframe | Collaborators | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No current projects | No current projects | - | - | - | - |
8. Extension and adoption
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | Timeframe | Collaborators | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Australia Self Herding (CASH) producer demonstration site | On-property demonstration of the applications of Rangelands self herding techniques in Central Australia. 5-year partnership with Bruce Maynard (external provider). | Lakota Taber | 2020-24 | MLA, Bruce Maynard | FutureBeef website |
| Producer demonstration sites | Small on-property demonstrations to increase local uptake of proven technologies / practices | Stacey Holzapfel | - | - | - |
| EDGE Network (Meat and Livestock Australia) training courses | Provide MLA-accredited training on topics including grazing land management, grazing fundamentals, breeding, nutrition and business. | Position currently vacant | - | MLA | MLA website |
| Barkly Herd Management Forum | Biennial workshops targeted to head stockmen, assistant managers and managers to present the latest information on managing a pastoral business. | Stacey Holzapfel | Ongoing | - | - |
| Next Generation Land Managers Rangeland management courses | Introduction to grazing management, weed ID, animal welfare and biosecurity for stock camp staff. Run on request in the Katherine and Barkly districts. | Stacey Holzapfel/Alison Kain | 2022-2024 | Northern Hub Future Drought Fund | FutureBeef website |
| FutureBeef collaboration | Coordinated delivery of extension and adoption programs and information across northern Australia, including the website as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for information | Stacey Holzapfel/Mary Williams | Ongoing | MLA, QDAF, WA, DPIRD | FutureBeef website |
| Field days and other public events | Ad-hoc events to engage with industry. | All staff | Ongoing | - | - |
| Northern Australian Climate Program (NACP) - extension project |
USQ-led project to improve weather and climate tools and literacy for the northern beef industry. DAF are on the steering committee. Update: The project was due to finish in April 2022 but has been extended. | Robyn Cowley | 2018-2026 | USQ, QDAF, WA DPIRD, MLA | Northern Australia Climate Program website |
| Northern Breeding Business (NB2) pathways to practice - breeder herd efficiency and managing calf wastage for northern production systems |
This collaborative project across northern Australia aims to create a producer led, peer-to-peer, research, development and adoption model that will result in measurable practice change to improve breeder herd efficiency and reduce calf wastage. Update: A pilot producer group is being established in the Katherine region. | Stacey Holzapfel | 2020-24 | NB2, MLA | Meat and Livestock Australia website |
| Carrying capacity advisory service | Provide carrying capacity assessments and property development advice on request | Caroline Pettit | Ongoing |
Recently completed projects
| Project | Purpose | Project leader | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddock Power: unlocking the secrets to sustainable and profitable intensification | Measuring the impact of large under-watered paddocks on reproductive performance, providing recommendations for sustainable paddock development and a mapping tool and investment calculator for producers to make confident investment decisions. Update: GPS collars have been removed from the first cohort of heifers and a second cohort of GPS units deployed. Analysis of data is ongoing. Location: Commercial Barkly Tableland properties | Christie Pearson / Caz Pettit | FutureBeef website |
Inside Edge | Improve modelling of grazing systems. Provide producers with information to prepare for and manage the impacts of drought, improve the northern Australian grazing simulation module GRASP and link to BoM’s new generation seasonal forecasting system ACCESS-S and DNRM’s new land assessment tool (LCAT) as grazing decision support tools.Update: The project has finished and a final report has been submitted | Robyn Cowley | |
| Central Australia improved feed | Investigating improved pastures and the use of irrigation in central Australia. The risk of oxalate poisoning of cows grazing irrigated buffel grass is also being investigated. Update: Fieldwork has been completed and a final report is underway. A report for Territory Grape Farm is completed. Results extended through the NT Rural Review and FutureBeef. | Chris Materne | |
| Water medication PDS | This PDS aims to demonstrate practical aspects of implementing water medication systems to address nutritional deficiencies and accessibility issues at a commercial scale. Update: There are 2 sites, located in the Katherine and Barkly regions where one treatment group is provided phosphorus supplement via water medication and the other through the property’s existing supplementation practice. Performance, GPS and management data of each treatment will be collected during the first round musters of 2022. | Stacey Holzapfel | FutureBeef website |
| Calf watch | Developing a system to remotely monitor calving using birth sensors and GPS tracking collars. Also to use the system to investigate the factors contributing to foetal and calf loss in northern Australia. Update: The final report for the project has been submitted. Work is continuing to identify calving from accelerometer data collected during the project. Location: Manbulloo | Tim Schatz | |
| Methods for Central Australian producers to reliably meet MSA standards | Research into factors affecting compliance rates for MSA grading of central Australian cattle. | Jocelyn Coventry and Chris Materne | |
| Reducing calf loss from exposure | Investigating the effectiveness of providing shade in treeless rangelands of the Barkly to reduce calf mortality. A collaboration between DAF, CSIRO and CQU. Update: Collars from 300 heifers recently removed, downloaded and data aggregated. Heifers were pregnancy tested and calves weaned. Analyses and reporting underway, but there was a 10% lower calf loss in the ‘shade’ group this year. During 2021/22, all heifers will be fitted with real-time GPS and have calf alerts inserted. A subcontract has been established to enable Kieren to finish this project while working for UQ. Location: Commercial properties | Kieren McCosker (UQ) / Georgia Glasson | |
| Rangelands self herding: Victoria River Research Station | Demonstration of a behaviour-based approach to modifying grazing patterns to achieve more even pasture utilisation without the need for more fencing. | Dionne Walsh | FutureBeef website |
| Stocking rate and pasture spelling demonstration: Alexandria Station | Demonstration of the impact of stocking rate management and wet season spelling on land condition trends around bores of different ages. | Jane Douglas | |
| Senepol Crossbreeding | Demonstration of how cross-breeding with tropically-adapted Bos taurus breeds can achieve good production outcomes and reduce market risk. Fieldwork for this project has been completed and a final report is underway. | Tim Schatz | |
| Controlling feathertop wiregrass | An experiment at Newcastle Waters Station found that using fire to control feathertop is not a 'sure bet'. Project looked at NT producers carefully weighing up the risks and rewards. | Dionne Walsh | |
| PhenoBank | The female reproduction Phenobank project was undertaken to collect datasets to build a reference population to facilitate genomic selection in northern Australian cattle. A large reference population is needed for more accurate genomic Estimated Breeding Values (gEBVs). The Phenobank project used existing datasets from research herds and commercial producers with stored DNA samples create the database | Dr. Marina Fortes/Gretel Bailey Preston | FutureBeef website |
| Assessing the production benefits from using pain-relief at the branding cradle | Investigating the welfare impact and production benefits from providing alternative methods of pain relief at the time of dehorning/castration. Update: A final report has been submitted to MLA. Location: DDRF, BHF and commercial properties. | Melissa Wooderson | FutureBeef website |
Contacts
| Location/Area of responsibility | Contact person and position | Contact number | Contact email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin | Tim Schatz Regional Director & Principal Pastoral | 08 8999 2332 | tim.schatz@nt.gov.au |
| Darwin | Caroline Pettit Principal Rangeland Research Officer | 08 8999 2014 | caroline.pettit@nt.gov.au |
| Darwin | Robyn Cowley Senior Rangelands Officer | 0419 829 493 | robyn.cowley@nt.gov.au |
| Darwin | Ben Wirf Pastoral Geographical Information Systems Officer | 08 8999 2026 | ben.wirf@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Leanne Vandersman Executive Officer | 08 8973 9728 | leanne.vandersman@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Christie Pearson Livestock Research Officer & Katherine team leader | 08 8973 8476 | christie.pearson@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Georgia Glasson Livestock Technical Officer | 08 8973 9740 | georgia.glasson@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Gretel Bailey-Preston Livestock Research Officer | 08 8973 9749 | gretel.baileypreston@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Stacey Holzapfel Pastoral Extension Officer | 08 8973 9730 | stacey.holzapfel@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Mary Williams Pastoral Extension Officer | 08 8973 9878 | mary.williams1@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Jaidyn Eastaughffe Rangelands Research Officer | 08 8973 9878 | jaidyn.eastaughffe@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Caitlin Kelly Livestock Research Officer | 08 8973 9731 | caity.kelly@nt.gov.au |
| Katherine | Kimberley Phelps Livestock Technical Officer | 08 8973 9721 | kim.phelps@nt.gov.au |
| Tennant Creek | Eleanor Fordyce Pastoral Research Officer | 08 8962 4488 | eleanor.fordyce@nt.gov.au |
| Tennant Creek | Cynita White Pastoral Officer | 08 8962 4488 | cynita.white@nt.gov.au |
| Alice Springs | Chris Materne Pastoral Production Officer | 08 8951 8135 | chris.materne@nt.gov.au |
| Alice Springs | Lakota Taber Pastoral Technical officer | 08 8951 8144 | lakota.taber@nt.gov.au |
| Alice Springs | Jocelyn Coventry Pastoral Production Officer | 08 8951 8142 | jocelyn.coventry@nt.gov.au |
| Alice Springs | Alison Kain Pastoral Extension Officer | 08 8951 8101 | alison.kain@nt.gov.au |
| Alice Springs | Georgia Anderson Pastoral Extension officer | 08 8351 8136 | georgia.anderson@nt.gov.au |
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