A new research trial on King Island is putting maternal productivity under the microscope, exploring how improved nutrition, pasture quality and smarter grazing can boost fertility and overall performance for young cows (heifers).
Early insights from the trial will be shared with attendees at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) Dairy Research Facility Field Day, to be held at Elliott on 17 February 2026.
While the trial focusses on beef systems, the principles behind the research - including feed quality, grazing precision and reproductive performance - are highly relevant for dairy producers. Reflecting this crossover, this year's Field Day features an expanded program for both dairy producers and the wider livestock sector.
Project lead, TIA Senior Research Fellow Dr Megan Verdon, said maternal productivity is a critical area of research and has potential to deliver big gains for beef producers in southern Australia.
Maternal productivity refers to traits such as fertility, calving ease, calf survival and calf growth to weaning.
"Previous research has shown that increasing heifer growth rates leading up to breeding improves maternal productivity. Through this research we're aiming to lift heifer conception rates with improvements to nutrition, pasture quality, and adopting smarter grazing practices," Dr Verdon said.
One promising innovation under investigation is virtual fencing, a technology already gaining traction on Tasmanian dairy farms but not yet widely used in beef production.
"We're exploring how Halter virtual fencing technology can help increase pasture intake, which may improve reproductive outcomes for young beef cows and deliver positive flow-on benefits throughout their productive lives.
"But more feed isn't enough on its own. We also need to boost the quality of feed grown on farm to ensure the cows' nutritional requirements are being met."
Dr Verdon said effective grazing practices and a high quality feedbase must go hand-in-hand.
"Renovating pastures won't achieve their full potential if it's followed by poor grazing practices. Likewise, better grazing of low-quality feed won't deliver the results that producers need," she said.
An on-farm trial involving 2,000 heifers is being conducted at TRT Pastoral Group's King Island property, a large-scale Angus cattle breeding and finishing enterprise.
TRT Pastoral's Tim Roberts-Thompson is enthusiastic to be trialling Halter virtual fencing technology within the King Island Angus Beef operation.
"We're particularly interested in measuring the impact on heifer performance - from body weight gains through optimising grazing management, to conception rates and successful rejoining after their first calf. This technology has real potential to enhance both animal performance, pasture management, and profitability," he said.
Findings from this research will support the revitalisation of Meat and Livestock Australia's More Beef from Pastures program, which is led by Adelaide University. Targeted workshops associated with this will be delivered with support from the TAS Farm Innovation Hub.
"With support from the Hub, the updated More Beef from Pastures program will be rolled out further through training for advisors and farmer-to-farmer learning. This means more practical tips and tools to help farmers run a productive and profitable business, even as conditions shift. The Hub is also supporting three virtual fencing case studies to see how this new technology can lift productivity and make farms more sustainable in the long run," said TAS Farm Innovation Hub Director, Sandra Knowles.
The trial is part of a larger $6.8 million project led by Adelaide University with matching funds from the Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company, TIA, Halter, and the Tasmanian Beef Trust.
