Peter Williams, Extensive Agriculture Branch Department of Primary Industries and Water

Aims Focus – increasing the production of red meat / ha Beef from ~ 400 kg/ha/year – 1000 kg – 2000 kg? Using known technologies – grazing / fertiliser / irrigation

Sites Winnaleah – NE – red soil Montagu – NW coast – sandy soil Alcomie – NW coast – red soil King Island – developed coastal sandy soil

Methods Cattle weighed every 4 weeks Pasture measured every 4 weeks Stocked according to Food On Offer Utilisation

Winnaleah – year 1 Grazing management – 3 treatments/2 reps 2 ha paddocks Set stocked – 4 paddock rotation – intensive rotation Results – 1218 kg/ha, 1317 kg/ha, 1419 kg/ha 17 % increase

Winnaleah – year 2 Strategic use of N – 3 treatments/2 reps Nil N – 45 kg/ha N x 2 – 30 kg/ha N each rotation (whilst sufficient moisture) Results – 1020 kg/ha, 1208 kg/ha, 1563 kg/ha 53 % increase

Winnaleah – year 3 Irrigation – 3 treatments/2 reps Nil N dry land – 30 kg/ha N dry land – 30 kg/ha N irrigated Results – 868 kg/ha, 1366 kg/ha, 1628 kg/ha 87 % increase

Winnaleah – year 3 (repeat) Results to 2/2/ kg/ha, 1670 kg/ha, 1864 kg/ha Economic analysis Final field day – Wednesday 18/3/09

Completed projects Finishing lambs under centre pivot Wean More Lambs – national program Lamb production on Arrotas clover Feedlot finishing days grain fed

Other EAB activities Cressy Research and Demonstration Station – 484 ha Wool Pastures/Grains Drought