Application of updated Animal Equivalents (AE) approach
The evolution of the Animal Equivalent (AE) system in Australia is progressing to a new approach in comparing animals of different weights, classes and species with a fit-for-purpose inclusion of predicting feed consumption based on the Metabolisable Energy (ME) requirements of grazing animals.
This webinar recording outlines the application of the major findings of a research project conducted by Stu McLennan (Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation), Ian McLean (Bush AgriBusiness) and Col Paton (EcoRich Grazing), funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) which re-defined the animal unit equivalence, particularly for northern Australia.
Join Col and Ian when they help explain the derivation and application of the findings for practical use of the new AE system not only in northern Australia, but also on a national scale.
During the presentation, Col and Ian discuss many aspects of the new AE system including:
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- The evolution of the AE
- Issues with the previous approach for forage budgets and long-term carrying capacity
- The NEW AE approach
- Making AE calculations as simple or complex as you want them to be
- Production zones in Queensland
- Key take home messages and learnings
You can watch the full recording or use the playlist below to jump to the start of a particular section within the presentation. 47:05; published 22 March 2021 by FutureBeefAu.
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Full recording
Playlist
- Application of updated Animal Equivalents (AE) approach
- AE Report to MLA
- Presentation overview
- The AE system
- The evolution of the AE
- Issues with the previous approach for forage budgets and long-term carrying capacity
- Tropical pastures feeding experiments
- AE Tables based on relative metabolisable energy (ME) needs
- Production data overview
- The NEW AE approach
- Definition of an AE
- Changes with age in the AE rating for steers in the high production areas of Qld
- Comparing intakes from 8kg x AE rating with QuikIntake
- The next step…Varying the intake constant between 7.5 & 8.5 kg/d according to regional productivity
- Making AE calculations as simple or complex as you want them to be
- New AE approach – 3 Levels
- Level 1 – Simple
- Production zones in Queensland
- Level 2 – Intermediate
- Level 3 – Advanced
- A National System
- Updating EDGE materials
- a. Primary source – Level 1 simple AE table
- b. Appendices – Level 2 AE tables
- Other updated tables in EDGE
- a. Forage budget tables
- b. Annual intakes for long-term carrying capacity
- Key take home messages & learnings
- Closing comments and acknowledgements