Insights from the ‘Livestock, carbon and sustainability’ workshops

In late October, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) ran a series of Livestock, carbon and sustainability workshops throughout Southwest Queensland. The biggest takeaway was the alignment between lowering carbon emissions and existing best practices. During the workshop, producers brainstormed strategies for achieving and improving:

• Keeping farm records
• Increasing the efficiency of the breeder herd
• Improving weight gain
• Soil and pasture health.

This article explores what producers are doing on the ground to achieve the above points, which also reduce carbon emissions. It captures the advice shared by producers and has links to more resources and information.

Keeping farm records

Workshop participants shared tools and methods that they use to record farm records. Accurate records help track progress and provide the foundation for informed decision-making about carbon reduction strategies. It was interesting to see a blend of digital and hardcopy resources.

What can be used to keep farm records?

• Phones and computers—Practical for digital records where there is good internet connectivity and can allow quick sharing amongst staff. They can also be linked in with farm monitoring equipment such as water monitoring equipment. Click here to access the Leading Sheep water monitoring factsheet.
• Notebooks and diaries—Still reliable options and sometimes the only option in areas with poor internet connectivity.
• Meat & Livestock Australia record-keeping book—Click here to get your copy.
• Excel spreadsheets—Helpful for managing livestock data and eID (electronic identification). Check out the links to videos below with some examples of how to use Excel:
  • Excel for eID – Back to Basics
  • Excel for eID – Using Your Data Effectively
  • Excel for eID – Building Your Data Over Time
• NVDs and NLIS databases
• Farm management and accounting software—Options such as Xero, MYOB, Phoenix, Stockbook and others offer comprehensive record-keeping solutions.

 A hot tip from the Quilpie day—”Make sure you remove your pocket diary from your pocket before washing your clothes!”

More information about keeping farm records

• Good records – giving you data that delivers—In this short video, Eric Simon, beef cattle producer from May Downs, Queensland, discusses the importance of good records and how these help monitor cattle production and business performance.
• Choosing new farm management software? Here is one family’s experience—How the D’Arcy family in the Southern Pilbara chose and use farm management and herd recording software.

Increasing the efficiency of breeder herds

Improving breeding efficiency is a step towards reducing emissions per unit of livestock product. Producers shared the following strategies for optimising genetics, enhancing reproduction rates, and maintaining overall herd health:

• Scanning—Identify and cull dry cows for efficiency.
• Vaccinations and biosecurity measures—Ensures herd health and reduce losses.
• Controlled joining
• Stress-free stock handling—Improved handling practices result in healthier livestock.
• Predator management and pest control—Protect livestock to maximise survival rates.
• Nutrition management—Provide optimal feed during critical breeding and calving periods.

More information about increasing the efficiency of breeder herds

• Mitchell grass pastures fact sheet—Learn how dynamic diet composition and pasture quality influence sheep productivity and management strategies.
• Breeder herd recording leads to more confident decisions—Producer case study.

Improving weight gain

The workshops highlighted the strong connection between efficient growth and reduced carbon emissions per kilogram of product. Producers shared the following practices to help improve weight gain:

• Rainfall—Click here to watch the recent Leading Sheep webinar with John McLaughlin to gain insights into the upcoming summer season and its impact on feed availability.
• Imprint feeding—A strategy to familiarise calves with feed while still on their mothers. Feed calves three times with a small amount of the intended weaning diet to ensure they recognise it later. If using lick feeders or self-feeders during weaning, introduce these feeders during imprint feeding as well.
• Improved pastures—Establish persistent, perennial and palatable pastures for year-round nutrition.
• Stocking rate management—Optimise the number of animals per hectare to ensure adequate feed availability and minimise overgrazing.

Ensuring good soil and pasture health

• Producers shared the following practices to help maintain good soil and pasture health: Maintain ground cover above 75%—Click here to watch a short video on the importance of why ground cover is so important.
• Maintain pasture reserve at or above 30%
• Rest and recovery – reducing selective overgrazing
• Increase watering points
• Feral pig control—Click here to read the recent Leading Sheep article on feral pig research and control.
• Fire management
• Pasture monitoring points—Click here to watch a short video on how photo monitoring can assist graziers with grazing land management decisions and how to select and set up photo monitoring sites.
• Pasture improvements

Carbon workshops will be held on demand. Please contact Jed Sommerfield on 0428 975 298 or Billie Standfield on 0455 303 633 if you are interested in attending a workshop specifically for beef producers. Please contact Sam Harwood on 0400 256 427 if you are interested in attending a workshop specifically for sheep producers.

A minimum of 15 participants is necessary. If you are interested in calculating your carbon emissions and how to potentially reduce them, get in touch with your local DPI Extension Officer.

This article was written by Sam Harwood, DPI Extension Officer, Charleville for the Leading Sheep newsletter Around the Camp.