The newly-formed WA Agricultural Research Collaboration is about to go into high gear with a project aimed at strengthening the State’s northern agriculture productivity in the cropping and cattle sectors.
The Collaboration’s three-year Cropping Enabled Cattle Project will explore the potential for Ord-irrigated agriculture to support cattle-feeding systems.
The project was co-designed by Collaboration partners including the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Grower Group Alliance, and the State’s universities.
Chief Scientist Primary Industries Development at the DPIRD, Ben Biddulph said it was exciting to see the project come to life.
“Our Collaboration partners and co-investors have worked together to design the Cropping Enabled Cattle Project that will grow future beef production options in our State’s north,” Dr Biddulph said.
“The project also seeks to strengthen research capabilities, through the creation of three new Kimberley-based roles and joint industry PhD appointment opportunities.”
He said local cattle finishing systems would be examined using feed products generated from Ord-irrigated crops including cotton meal and seed, maize and other grass silage.
“Cattle backgrounding systems in the Ord region will also be tested, potentially including a sterile variety of the fodder tree, leucaena,” Dr Biddulph said.
