Beef producers across southern Australia are invited to join the next round of More Beef from Pastures 2.0 producer learning groups, with new groups now being established for Spring 2026.
More Beef from Pastures 2.0 (MBfP 2.0), is designed specifically for self-replacing southern beef businesses and combines practical technical information, producer data and peer-to-peer learning through small, locally facilitated groups.
The program is a flagship Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) extension project led by Adelaide University, and brings together a range of partners. These include the Davies Livestock Research Centre, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tasmanian Beef Industry Trust, Halter, and the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the South Australian Drought Resilience and Adoption Hub and the Tas Farm Innovation Hub.
The aim is to help producers improve productivity, profitability and resilience, with particular emphasis on maternal productivity, pasture utilisation, genetics, nutrition, weaner management and better use of farm data.
Adelaide University Livestock Technical Lead and Southern Beef Project Lead, Dr Penny Schulz, said the next recruitment round would be more targeted, with new producer groups being established in regions where there was already producer interest, facilitator capacity or an identified gap.
“We have learnt a lot from establishing the first round of MBfP 2.0 groups, and one of the strongest messages is that getting the local group and facilitator combination right really matters,” Dr Schulz said.
“This next phase is about building on that foundation and creating strong local groups of producers who want to learn together, share ideas and use their own enterprise information to make better decisions.”
MBfP 2.0 groups generally involve around 10 beef businesses and are supported by trained facilitators who guide participants through the use and integration of practical tools and resources into their business. They bring together technical specialists to deliver ongoing training in priority areas such as improving maternal productivity, pasture utilisation and business decision-making.
Participants attend regular group sessions over a two-year period and collect a core set of herd, pasture and general farm data, with support provided throughout the process.
“Importantly, this is not a classroom-style program,” Dr Schulz said.
“The technical content is important, but equally important is producers being able to learn from each other, look at their own data and work through what different management options might mean for their business.”
The next recruitment round is targeting opportunities across NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South East South Australia and Western Australia, while expressions of interest remain welcome from eligible producers elsewhere across southern Australia.
Producers operating self-replacing beef enterprises and with at least 20 heifers that can be followed through the program are particularly encouraged to apply. Places within each region are limited.
Producers interested in joining a MBfP 2.0 producer group can submit an Expression of Interest now.
For further information, contact:
Dr Penny Schulz
Southern Beef Project Lead
Adelaide University
M: 0417 853 094 E: penny.schulz@adelaide.edu.au
The Profitable and Resilient Southern Beef Herds project is led by Adelaide University through the Davies Livestock Research Centre, with funding from and partnerships with Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (University of Tasmania), WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tasmanian Beef Industry Trust, Halter, and the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the South Australian Drought Resilience and Adoption Hub and the Tas Farm Innovation Hub.
