Big goals to increase meat output per ha in Tasmania

Tasmanian beef producers have set a challenge to their mainland counterparts "“ to achieve beef production of 2000 kgs liveweight gain per hectare per year from pasture-based grazing systemsreports Rural News. This was a key outcome of the five-year, $A2.1 million ($NZ2.44m) Red Meat Targets (RMT) programme, developed to help red meat producers boost production and profits using existing knowledge and technologies. The RMT programme identified considerable opportunities for red meat producers in Tasmania "“ but they also apply right across southern Australia "“ to increase beef and lamb production and productivity from pasture-based systems. One project within the programme "“ Winnaleah Towards 2000 "“ in north-eastern Tasmania achieved a top production result last year of 1981kg liveweight gain/ha/year using a rotational grazing system with strategic nitrogen applications and irrigation. If the bulk of Tasmania's 2976 beef producers could achieve a production increase to 1200kg liveweight gain/ha/year from the current average of 300-400kg liveweight/ha/year, it would significantly boost the state's gross value of beef production from its current level of about $A170m "“ or 16% of total agricultural commodities. RMT found sheepmeat producers had potential to lift gross income to $675/ha from lambs grazing irrigated dual-purpose wheat crops "“ with 800-1000 kg of dry matter/ha needed to maintain good lamb growth rates. The projects also showed that significant lamb daily weight gains of 260 grams were possible during the summer grazing period by establishing Arrotas Arrowleaf clover in existing cocksfoot pasture.