Based in Bonnie Rock, our Feed365 ‘spoke’ project aims to ensure livestock feed for 365 days of the year in the Central & Eastern Wheatbelt based on research and insights provided by the Katanning Research Station ‘hub’ program trialling pastures and perennials.
It’s a component of the SheepLinks Program– co-funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) with the support of the WA sheep industry. It’s a great fit with our Drought Hub Node activities.
The FEED365 project aims to foster a collaboration between growers, scientists and extension workers to develop and test new feed-base options and integrate them into grazing systems.
Livestock production in low rainfall environments faces increased challenges – from policies and politics along with increasingly hotter, drier and more variable seasons. For MADFIG, the goal of the FEED365 project is to reconsider, redesign and implement livestock forage systems. We want to maximise livestock producer returns by grazing high-quality forage year-round, with minimal supplementary feeding.
Feed365 Project – Recent Activity
Onsite project update
With the support of the Sprigg family and project funding, we’ve created a permanent Livestock feeding trial hub that will provide ongoing opportunities for future trials. Fencing for the site was completed in September 2024 and the troughs have now arrived. They are ready to be installed after harvest for the first grazing in early 2025.
Feed365 Milestone 4 Report
As part of our funding agreement, we provide regular milestone updates to ensure the project is on track. Here’s our most recent where we’re proud to say we have more than achieved!
2024 Field walks – August/September
The MADFIG Feed365 project was highlighted in two Field Walks in 2024. The first August 23rd 2024 was with support of the Bonnie Rock Agronomy Group. MADFIG was able to have Luke Sprigg’s (Experiment 3) site included in the external event. We were lucky to have the discussion on the day facilitated by leading cropping agronomist Chris Wilkin who shared his experience with pasture species from the West Midlands area. The Field Day was attended by over 50 people. Special thanks to the Bonnie Rock group (Kim Graham) for allowing the inclusion and to Chris and Luke for sharing their knowledge.
The Second event was hosted by MADFIG on Friday 13th of September. We were keen to check out three sites – including a local Native Pastures and the two project sites. Unfortunately, plans were changed due to illness, however representatives from DPIRD, GGA and Wheatbelt NRM along with a very interested local farmer were in attendance and we were able to capture some great information and share insights and options for the next steps. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at the Muka Pub too, thanks Krista and Linda!
Justin Hardy from DPIRD continues to be a key contributor and resource for the project and collected biomass samples while Glenice flew the drone.
We’ve created a podcast to be shared during seeding 2024. This was a conversation between key personnel involved including Angelo Loi, Justin Hardy and host farmer Hayden Sprigg. Listen to the podcast.
New podcast
Released on October 17th, this new podcast episode, “Year-Round Pastures: Inside the FEED365 Project,” is part of our Farming in the Eastern Wheatbelt podcast series. In this episode, tune in to hear about the FEED365 project design from farmer Hayden Sprigg and DPIRD collaborators Justin Hardy and Angelo Loi (the Pasture Guru). Listen to the podcast.
Plus additional Podcast
MLA Producer Demonstration Sites – local farmers Cam and Brandon chat about their experiences planting perennial “Annameka” saltbush – a key component of the MADFIG Feed365 Demonstration Project Site 2 (Shrubs). Listen to the podcast.
