Request for tender – Determining and realising the value proposition for the southern feedbase

⁠⁠⁠MLA is seeking applications for RD&A projects that will identify and address productivity gaps in a range of pasture systems across southern Australia farming and grazing systems.

Producers in southern Australia need better (and locally relevant) advice on pasture establishment and management to increase persistence of pastures, in order to deliver improved animal production outcomes. There are a range of contributing factors that impact pasture persistence including but not limited to plant species, mixes, soil fertility, pest and disease, weeds and grazing management.

An objective of this call is to help producers overcome the productivity gap due to underperforming (or absent) legumes in pastures. Previous reviews suggest there is much research available to producers that has not been adopted. There are a range of agri-climatic zones across Southern Australia, from semi-arid rangelands to high rainfall zones, with rainfall patterns that transition from summer to winter dominant. All of these zones are applicable to the Investment Call and can have very different “best practice” feed base/pasture systems.

Leading producers typically focus on the actions that have maximum impact. Understanding the balance between the value proposition, key production levers and risks is a key aspect of this investment call, as is developing an improved understanding of how to manage legumes to achieve greater persistence and productivity impacts.

The proposed research aims to address these issues in three ways:

Production gap analysis: Identify and communicate the economic return of best-practice red-meat production compared to district averages, across applicable regions in southern Australia.

Best-practice benchmarking: identify and communicate the key pasture management factors that underpin high-performing animal production businesses, and the economic value associated with these key factors.

Conduct new research into improved agronomic practices for legumes of significance to southern Australia, to improve the persistence and productivity of these legumes in perennial pastures.

Projects in each category are expected to facilitate the adoption of project findings. Project design is expected to involve advisors, agribusiness and farming systems, and other farmer groups in developing and delivering localised solutions that achieve significant producer uptake.

Deadline for submissions

MLA invites interested parties to submit preliminary proposals that must be received by MLA before 11.59pm (AEST time) Friday, 20th October, 2023. Late proposals will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete both the Request for Tender, the Preliminary Proposal Application and submit proposals electronically to MLA at: projectcall@mla.com.au

Further Information

An information session webinar for the Request for tender – Determining and realising the value proposition for the southern feedbase will be held and recorded:

Date: Monday 4th September 2023

Time: 3:30pm AEST

Event Registration: HERE https://mla.microsoftcrmportals.com/event/registration?id=Tender_briefing_-_Determining_and_realising_the_value_proposition_for_the_southern_feedbase531272982  or through the MLA events page

If you have questions about these terms of reference, contact:

Allan Peake

Program Manager – Sustainable Feedbase Resources

Email: apeake@mla.com.au

P: +61 (7) 3620 5265 M: +61 429 881 137