NEXUS project: exploring profitable, sustainable livestock businesses in an increasingly variable climate
Key project outputs will be: Integrated assessments of seven farm case studies from Tasmania to north Queensland that will identify systems adaptations that are profitable, environmentally sustainable and targeted towards future market opportunities.
A reference group in each region made up of local farmers and consultants will guide the research teams to ensure that the systems and adaptation options examined are relevant and findings are robust.
With funding from Meat and Livestock Australia's Donor Company, University of Melbourne, University of Tasmania and CSIRO, the NEXUS project will run from March 2020 – June 2023.
It is a multi-party program of collaboration across the Livestock Productivity Partnership, including the funding organisations, University of Southern Queensland and University of New England
Adaptation options will explore:
- Feedbase (eg: improved legumes, summer active pastures, or deep-rooted forages)
- Animal management and genetics (eg: altered management calendars)
- Business models (eg: enterprise mix (livestock : crop), alternative markets such as carbon)
- Technology and infrastructure (eg: seasonal feedlot, virtual herding, seasonal forecasts)
- Landscape management (eg: raising soil fertility, use of trees on-farm).
Faculty researchers
- Dr Brendan Cullen (lead), farm systems modelling in Victoria and NSW
- Professor Richard Eckard, leader, Mitigation and Sequestration theme
- Dr Alexandria Sinnett, leader, Farm System Economics
- Professor Bill Malcom, Farm System Economics
- Dr Saranika Talukder, Farm Systems Modelling
- Professor Ruth Nettle, Social Research
- Dr Marg Ayre, Social Research
- Nikki Reichelt, Social Research
- Dr Paul Cheng, Animal Science, Adaptation Options
Collaborators
- David Cobon, University of Southern Queensland, USQ leader, Farm Systems Modelling
- Dr Duc Anh Vo, USQ, Farm Systems Modelling
- Dr Thong Nguyen, USQ, Farm Systems Modelling
- Associate Professor Matt Harrison, University of Tasmania, UTas Nexus leader, Farm Systems Modelling
- Dr Lydia Turner, UTas, Social Research
- Dr Karen Christie, UTas, Farm Systems Modelling
- Peter Ball, UTas, Producer Engagement
- Dr Alison Hall, UTas, Social Research
- Franco Bilotto, UTas, Farm Systems Modelling
- Dr Di Mayberry, CSIRO, CSIRO Project leader, Farm System Modelling
- Dr Chris Stokes, CSIRO, Farm Systems Modelling
- Dr Adam Liedloff, CSIRO, Farm Systems Modelling
- Martin Amidy, Australian National University, Farm System Economics
- Dr Lindsey Perry, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Producer Engagement
- Dr Tom Davison, University of New England, LPP Coordinator, Transformational Adaptation Options
Funding
- Funded by: MLA Donor Company, the University of Melbourne, the University of Tasmania and CSIRO
- Funding period: 2020-2023
- Funding amount: $1.9 million
Image: Dirk Ingo Franke, Wikimedia Commons.
More information
Dr Margaret Ayre