Tamworth hosts research update on pastures for livestock production

1 Dec 2021

Landholders and advisors are invited to attend a free research update on pastures for livestock production at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute on Friday 3 December 2021 from 8am – 1 pm.

Hosted by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) with North West Local Land Services (NWLLS), the field day will cover various topics including latest research from the Livestock Productivity Partnership (LPP).

Projects within the LPP aim to boost the productivity of grazing systems and develop new research and development capacity via collaborations between NSW DPI, MLA Donor Company, University of New England, CSIRO, University of Melbourne and Tasmania Institute of Agriculture.

Dr Suzanne Boschma DPI’s Senior Research Scientist will present research on desmanthus a tropical legume which has shown potential in northern NSW.

"Desmanthus grows well during the summer when tropical grasses are at peak production. Our current research is helping us understand how to establish and manage desmanthus in mixed pastures,” Dr Boschma said.

DPI Senior Research Scientist Dr Sean Murphy, will present findings from research into the optimum ratio of digit grass and lucerne in mixtures.

“Good winter and spring rainfall has favoured lucerne growth, but the grass-dominant treatments have stored that rain for a full profile of soil water heading into summer,” Dr Murphy said.

Other speakers who are part of the LPP include Jody McNally from CSIRO presenting dual purpose crops for lamb production on the Northern Tablelands and Dr Jonathan McLachlan from UNE presenting P-requirements of tropical legumes.

North West Local Land Services (NWLLS) will also be discussing findings from demonstration sites assessing the value and return on investment in paddock weigh systems in North West grazing systems.

A NSW DPI priority project, co-funded by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, will feature Chilean needle grass best practice management.

Landholders can inspect a new site where NSW DPI is demonstrating the efficacy of herbicides against this serious pasture and environmental weed in grazed and non-grazed plots.

Register for this COVD-safe event by visiting Eventbrite or contact NSW DPI development officer, Sarah Baker 0439167600, sarah.j.baker@dpi.nsw.gov.au or North West LLS extension officer, George Truman 0427505040, george.truman@lls.nsw.gov.au by close of business on Wednesday 1 December 2021.

Media contact: 02 6391 3686