eBulletin April 2026
Hello!
In this edition of the FutureBeef eBulletin you’ll find information regarding:
- nitrogen use efficiency research update from QAAFI
- a short tutorial on using Breedcow Lite for economic analysis of management decisions
- an introduction to ClimateARM
- cattle movements in WA
- welcoming 2 new extension officers to Alice Springs
- grant and leadership opportunities for Western Australia pastoralists
- an update on dehorning wound cover research
- how a small group of producers have used peer-to-peer funding to benefit their businesses
- a couple of event summaries
- and then some more!
Happy reading!
Kind regards
Jodie and Felicity
on behalf of the FutureBeef team
P.S. Let us know what you think of the FutureBeef eBulletin via email or call us on 13 25 23. You can also connect with us on Facebook, X and LinkedIn, or check us out on YouTube.
Unlocking the potential of nitrogen use efficiency in cattle
Research shows that nitrogen-use efficiency varies among cattle and affects growth, reproduction, and profitability.
In this webinar recording, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation’s Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva describes how a new tail hair test can identify which animals will have better nitrogen-use efficiency and why this could be a game-changer in northern cattle systems.
Watch the webinar recording (58 minutes) >>
Prefer to read a summary? Here are the key points >>
Breedcow Lite tutorial 2 — Analysing management options
Breedcow Lite is an online decision-making tool developed for graziers by economists from the Department of Primary Industries.
In this short tutorial, Agricultural Economist Jana Sim, steps users through how to use the Breedcow Lite tool to assess the economic benefits of:
- selling pregnancy tested empty cows
- supplementing phosphorus during the wet season
- destocking by 15% to have a positive impact on land condition.
MLA research update: Dehorning wound covers
Patches that cover dehorning wounds can have remarkable impacts on both animal welfare and productivity, however, the nature and location of the wounds make getting the patches to stay in place quite a challenge.
The power of peers: Torrens Creek Producer Group
The Torrens Creek Producer Group has successfully used Farmer peer-to-peer group support funding to make the most of several educational opportunities, allowing them to make progress on several key profit drivers over a number of years.
Members of the group have made a conscious effort to increase herd efficiency, improve land condition and sustainability, and explore improved pasture and legume options.
The Callide Dawson Carcase Competition kicks off!
The 38th Callide Dawson Carcase Competition began with a well-attended field day. The day blended herd health advice, ag-tech innovation and a hands-on live cattle assessment, giving attendees practical insights to take back to their own operations and classrooms.
Key messages and photos from the event >>
Tool of the month: ClimateARM
The Climate Agricultural Risk Management (ClimateARM) tool is the new online version of the tool previously known as Rainman. The StreamFlow analysis tool was developed to assist the industry to improve climate risk management.
ClimateARM allows the user to analyse rainfall and other climate variables at specific locations, taking into account seasonal patterns and forecasts.
New livestock team members in Alice Springs
The NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is excited to welcome 2 new faces, Grace Pezutto and Caleb Schwarz to the Alice Springs livestock team.
Here’s a little about who they are, where they’ve come from, and what they’re looking forward to in their new roles.
WA Cattle industry update: October-December 2025
Get the latest figures on cattle numbers sold via domestic slaughter, live export and interstate transfers from Western Australia provided by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
WA stations — Do you have an idea you would like to trial?
The Pilbara Innovation Partnership are proudly offering Round 2 of the Pilbara Extension Network (PEN).
PEN provides an opportunity to step into a leadership role, test an idea on your station, and be supported to deliver it. Successful applicants will be provided with up to $50,000 to deliver your project and a position in a first-class leadership and project management professional development program.
Make 2026 your time to shine with PEN >>
It’s back — Katherine Research Station Open day!
Bring the whole family for a free, fun, community day, 13 June, hosted by the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Wander through a wide range of trade stalls, local business displays, demonstrations, presentations, and more.
NTCA Conference 2026: Better on Beef
The 2026 NTCA Annual Industry Conference returned to Darwin in March, bringing together producers, researchers, industry leaders and service providers from across northern Australia for 3 days focused on connection, capability and the future of the beef industry.
Here are some event highlights >>
When people and tools are brought together
The team at FutureBeef have been told we need to get better at promoting ourselves… So although we are cringing in the corner at the thought of tooting our own horn, we’d like to share this short story with you.
In this case study, the Hardy and Trovato families of Ingham share how listening to a FutureBeef podcast episode and finding additional resources on our website helped them with their weaning program.
Thanks for sharing, we genuinely appreciate it >>
Don’t forget to renew or update your biosecurity entity registration!
If you own or keep livestock or beehives in Queensland it is a legal requirement to be a registered biosecurity entity (RBE). If you are a landowner, a lessee or agist your animals on someone else’s land you need to register.
More information and where to renew or update your details >>
Timely reminders: Pain relief and clostridial diseases
If you are wondering what your options are when it comes to pain relief while conducting animal husbandry procedures such as dehorning and castration, this article that was published in 2022 (reviewed in 2025), provides a great summary.
Pain relief options for animal husbandry procedures >>
And, if you are wanting to know more about the clostridial diseases held at bay by the 5-in-1 vaccine, this is the article for you:
Sudden death — a timely reminder about clostridial diseases >>