Tasmania’s stockfeed industry potential to be explored at GRDC Update
Key points:
- Tasmanian growers urged to attend GRDC Update at Hadspen
- Focus on production of profitable stockfeed
The potential for Tasmania to support a profitable stockfeed industry will be explored in detail at a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Update on July 24.
Organised by the GRDC in conjunction with Southern Farming Systems and Dairy Australia, the Update will provide growers with valuable information relating to viable stockfeed production.
GRDC Southern Panel chair David Shannon said the Update would be of immense interest to Tasmanian growers keen to enhance their stockfeed enterprises.
“The Update will feature a number of speakers who will provide growers with useful insights into the latest industry developments,” Mr Shannon said.
“There will be a particular focus on the supply of feed to the dairy industry and other end users and how growers can produce feed specifically suited to their needs.”
The Update will begin with a presentation from Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) cereal and seeds committee chair, Michael Chilvers, who will provide a grower’s perspective on the potential for a profitable stockfeed industry in Tasmania.
Dairy Australia program co-ordinator Ray King will discuss the availability of feed grains suitable for production in Tasmania and their use for the dairy industry and other industries.
Results from local independent dairy feeding trials comparing red wheats and white wheats will be outlined by Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) dairy nutritionist David McNeill, while a panel will address various industry issues.
Supply chains and the establishment of links between growers and end-users will be discussed, along with pooling and pricing and setting acceptable industry standards.
TIAR agronomist Geoff Dean and barley breeder Meixui Zhou will speak on the subject of keeping grains in the crop rotation. They will present results from the latest TIAR trials involving wheat, barley, legumes, oilseeds and canopy management.
Dr Mark Peoples, CSIRO Plant Industry deputy chief, will provide growers with an overview of the real value of grain legumes in a crop rotation. He will look at how much nitrogen can be ‘grown’, how long soil nitrogen reserves last, and putting a value on disease control and weed management.
New fungicides, the cost efficiency of seed dressings and insect and weed control will also be addressed during the Update.
The Update will be held from 9am at Rutherglen Holiday Village at Hadspen on July 24. Growers seeking more information about the Update can visit www.grdc.com.au/updatedates.