Enhanced Livestock Management: Feed, Fodder and Decision Making is a South Australian extension and adoption initiative aimed at boosting livestock system resilience and productivity.
The project will develop and deliver four practical learning modules for producers on feedbase optimisation, nutrition and feed budgeting, risk management, and sustainable grazing systems. Alongside producer-focused resources, the project will upskill livestock advisors through tailored training, masterclasses, and mentoring to enhance advisory support across the region.
The project will develop four regionally relevant, workshop-ready learning modules supported by extension and adoption plans, case studies and practical factsheets. Producer pilot workshops will be delivered to support knowledge adoption and strengthen seasonal preparedness, while advisor capability will be enhanced through a combination of in-person training, online masterclasses and mentoring support. Collectively, these activities will create a lasting suite of practical and accessible decision-support tools hosted on the SA Drought Hub website.
The project aligns with priorities identified through the SA Drought Hub’s DRINKS process and will be delivered in partnership with Livestock SA, Talking Livestock, Turner Agri Services, Nicon Rural and regional farming systems groups to ensure strong industry relevance and adoption outcomes.
Project description:
The Enhanced Livestock Management: Feed, Fodder and Decision Making project is a South Australian extension and adoption initiative designed to strengthen drought resilience, productivity and decision-making capability within beef and sheep enterprises. Led by the SA Drought Hub, the project addresses identified industry gaps by improving producer knowledge and building advisor capability in feedbase management, livestock nutrition and seasonal risk planning.
The project will develop four practical, workshop-ready learning modules focused on optimising the feed base, nutrition and feed management (including containment feeding), decision-making and risk management, and sustainable grazing systems. Each module will include extension resources such as factsheets, case studies, workshop formats and printable tools, which will be freely available through the SA Drought Hub website to ensure long-term accessibility for producers and advisors.
A strong advisor up-skilling component underpins the project, delivering in-person training workshops, online masterclasses and mentoring support to build confidence and consistency in extension delivery across the livestock sector. The project will support producer pilot workshops, advisor training sessions and targeted mentoring opportunities, strengthening the networks that enable knowledge transfer and adoption on farm.
Delivered in partnership with Livestock SA, Talking Livestock, Turner Agri Services, Nicon Rural, AgCommunicators, and the Southern Beef Project Steering Committee and regional farming systems groups, activities will be delivered statewide based on producer demand. By providing practical, evidence-based tools and training, the project aims to improve seasonal preparedness, support informed decision-making and contribute to more profitable and resilient livestock systems across Southern Australia.