Who we are:

Regionally based, specialist beef extension officers from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

What we do:

Support beef businesses to adapt and grow.

How we do it:

• Get to know you and your operation and understand your expertise and strengths
• Share examples of what has been achieved in your region and help you connect with like-minded producers
• Help you to identify and weigh up options for making change
• Link you to service providers offering technical and financial assistance
• Support you to implement new practices
• Provide follow up assistance and help you assess and review what works and what doesn’t in your business.

What’s in it for you?

An independent and confidential service for whole of business support, providing practical options relevant to your business.

The Beef Extension Services in the Burnett Mary region

Team member	Contact details
Megan Gurnett	Toowoomba office Email: megan.gurnett@dpi.qld.gov.au ph: 0475 973 221
Kate Brown	Brisbane office Email: kate.brown@dpi.qld.gov.au ph: 0457 520 457
Alex Thomson	Toowoomba office Email: alexandra.thomson@dpi.qld.gov.au ph: 0429 228 952
Marcia Smith	Toowoomba office Email: marcia.smith@dpi.qld.gov.au ph: 0436 631 612
Jodie Ward	Gympie office Email: jodie.ward@dpi.qld.gov.au ph: 0427 060 900

Land and pasture

The driving force of your production potential

Beef extension services can assist with:

• Property planning and mapping for infrastructure development, grazing land management and biosecurity.
• Assessing land condition and developing strategies for improvement, including land rehabilitation.
• Pasture development planning options for your land types based on what has worked in your region.
• Implementing grazing strategies to maximise production and build your land asset.
• Assessing the benefits of new technologies for your operation.
• Information on climate and carbon and how to create a carbon account.
• Accessing available funding and connecting with other relevant organisations.

“The healthier the land, the more money I can potentially make.” – John Ashton – Illamahta Station, Mt Coolan

Tools we use:

• FORAGE – online, web and email-based system generating climate and pasture information into customised reports for individual properties
• Mapping – individual property maps incorporating paddocks, water points, infrastructure and land types are created for businesses that engage in projects
• VegMachine – online tool utilising decades of  satellite imagery to assess vegetation trends over time at a property and paddock level
• Ready Reckoners – simplified pasture budgeting options
• Australian Feedbase Monitor – pasture biomass monitoring tool available to LPA accredited producers.

Livestock

Turning pasture into beef as efficiently as possible

Beef extension services can assist with:

• Implementing an efficient livestock recording system.
• Crunching the numbers to analyse your herd performance.
• Boosting your breeder performance.
• Setting your weaners up for success.
• Optimising genetic selection and using EBVs
• Analysing sales data and marketing options (weaners, feeders, bullocks, trading) and potential returns.
• Reviewing your animal health and welfare program.
• Practical nutrition strategies and free comparison tools to maximise the return on supplement.
• Assessing the benefits of new technologies for your operation.

“Programs run by the DPI (such as GRASS and Peer to Peer) are so practical and effective.” – Jenny Cross.

Tools we use:

• Feedcalc – spreadsheet comparison tool to quickly analyse differences between supplement options considering both cost and efficiency.
• Breedcow & Dynama herd budgeting – software package used to assess choices for management options for large scale beef cattle herds.
• A large range of tools, templates and calculators to assist with production recording and decision making.

Linking you to relevant support, training and resources:

1. Field days, workshops, paddock walks and neighbour days
2. Peer to peer producer groups
3. FutureBeef – website, webinars and podcasts
4. Producer demonstration sites
5. MLA EDGEnetwork – Business, Breeding, Nutrition, Grazing Land Management and Grazing Fundamentals.

Business

Ensuring a future for your family

Beef extension services can assist with:

a) Undertaking a business health check

b) Developing a business plan to:

i) manage risk

ii) build business capacity and financial literacy

iii) identify areas for growth and improvement

iv) optimise family/staff involvement

v) enhance access to funding

c) Pre-succession planning and strategies to support family business communication

d) Comparing the profitability of a range of management strategies

e) Meeting your industry and legislated obligations (e.g. WHS, LPA, NLIS, biosecurity)

f) Assessing the benefits of new technologies.

“It is important to get into a good habit of decision making – making timely and informed decisions and most importantly acting on them.” – Russell Lethbridge, Werrington Station, The Lynd.

Tools we use:

• Breedcow & Dynama herd budgeting – software package used to assess choices for management options for large scale beef cattle herds.
• A large range of tools, templates and calculators to assist with production recording and decision making.