The Prosperous Farmer

The Prosperous Farmer catches up with Vet Jo Ward and farmer Haydn Lines to learn more about the post weaning project for beef weaners, looking at how they grow - or not - from the time of weaning until there is sufficient feed on the ground. What are the factors that influence the profitability of beef weaners? And what management strategies can be used to optimise their growth? Keith-based Haydn explains why he got involved in the project and how it has changed his approach to managing beef weaners.

Prof. Wayne Pitchford explains that the losses that occur in maternal productivity in southern beef herds often aren't disastrous, but there is still plenty of room for the 'one-percenters' to be addressed, making breeder herds as efficient as possible.He steps through the reproductive cycle and the losses that may occur in each.Through strategies relating to joining weight - and weight gained during joining - calving time and bull genetics, productivity and profitability opportunities can be realised. Related podcast: Benchmarking Beef with Michael Cobiac and Elke Hocking

MFMG CEO Sally Klose catches up with Soil Consultant Dr Mel Fraser on soil amelioration - what it is, why it's important, and how it's achieved. What effect does it have on crop production, and how does it relate to a knee reconstruction? Find out more in this highly informative update on the current project 'Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA'. ResourcesMFMG Project: Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SAGRDC: Sandy soils of the southern regionCSIRO: Water repellent soils GRDC: Clay Spreading and delving in light, sandy soilsSpread, delve, spade, invert - a best practice guide to the addition of clay to sandy soilsCoorong Tatiara LAP: Soil Amelioration and Sand StabilisationCoorong Tatiara Soil Hub: Supporting growers and advisors for better economic outcomes

In this episode we catch up with Dr William van Wettere, Associate Professor from the Davies Livestock Research Centre and Dr Jamee Daly, Senior Research Scientist, SARDI, Turretfield Research Centre, talking about the effects of heat stress on sheep and its impact on mating and reproduction. Working with farmers across the Limestone Coast and beyond, the trials highlighted some interesting results!If you'd like to join the study, contact Dr van Wettere at william.vanwettere@adelaide.edu.au.Resources:MFMG Project: Improving the climate resilience of the Australian Sheep Flock

Dr Mariana Caetano is Lecturer in Animal Nutrition & Metabolism in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide. Mariana takes us behind the scenes of her latest project looking at reducing methane emissions throughout the beef cattle production cycle in southern Australia. If you'd like to join as a project participant, please contact Dr Caetano via email mariana.caetano@adelaide.edu.au.MFMG Project: Methane reduction in beef cattle in commercial production systemsMFMG Project: Methane throughout the beef cattle production cycle in southern Australia

Molly Kalman, Elders Naracoorte Livestock Production Specialist and coordinator of Feed Testing for MFMG's Filling Feed Gaps Project, together with Jake Phillips, participant of the Filling Feed Gaps Project and Angus Australia Extension Officer discuss best practice hay and silage production and the importance of Feed Tests for optimum animal nutrition. MFMG Project: Filling Feed Gaps: Best practice hay and silage production

Michael Nash an applied invertebrate ecologist together with Amanda Pearce, Senior Research Officer with the PIRSA South Australian Research and Development Institute discuss Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, commonly referred to as BYDV. We examine how it impacts wheat yields in the high rainfall zone of the Limestone Coast.MFMG Project: Reducing wheat yield loss from Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus in the HRZ