PROGRAZE - an extension package in grazing and pasture management

Grazing management decisions by beef cattle and sheep producers in south-eastern Australia have tended to be influenced more by the needs of livestock, often with little consideration given to the possible short- or long-term production impacts that the duration or intensity of grazing may have on pastures. This is partially due to inadequate knowledge of these impacts on some pasture types. Grazing decisions relating principally to livestock tend to be based on a subjective appraisal of liveweight change and pasture assessments often with inadequate understanding of critical pasture characteristics influencing livestock production or the ability to assess these characteristics. PROGRAZE is an extension package developed to assist beef cattle and sheep producers improve the quality of grazing management decision making so they more efficiently and effectively achieve their production and market targets for livestock and livestock products while maintaining or improving the productivity and sustainability of their pastures. To measure knowledge change, PROGRAZE participants were surveyed before they commenced the course and again at its conclusion. To measure on-farm adoption of the skills and knowledge contained within PROGRAZE, participants were again surveyed about 12 months after completing the course. Five focus groups were conducted as a means of obtaining direct feedback from a range of participants on issues not adequately addressed through the surveys. The surveys showed the most significant area in knowledge change by participants was associated with pasture quality and the influence of pasture characteristics on pasture intake and livestock prodution. There was strong evidence of practice change by participants particularly, grazing decisions associated with pasture management. When asked whether participation in PROGRAZE had resulted in increased financial returns from their grazing enterprise, 89% replied it had and 91% indicated participation would lead to more sustainable pastures. The overall response to PROGRAZE was positive with 59% of those producers who replied to the survey indicating it exceeded or completely met their expectations and another 36% stating that it had mostly met expectations. Ninety-nine percent of respondents indicated that they would recommend PROGRAZE to fellow producers.