ILRIC is able to provide particular expertise in relation to feedlot production and nutrition. This expertise covers all aspects of feedlot production from pre-boosting cattle before entering the feedlot, to nutrition and feedlot management that will ensure the satisfaction of consumer demand for tenderness, marbling etc. ILRIC utilises the world-class facility Tullimba where researchers can undertake practical research and demonstrate to feed lotters the potential benefits of new technologies and feeding systems. ILRIC has access to particular skills in:
- Pre-boosting techniques to enhance performance of feedlot Cattle, and
- Feed mixes and the importance of seasonal factors in influencing the productivity of lot-fed cattle.
As well as this research capability, ILRIC has established links with the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA), the industry’s peak body. ALFA actively advances the interests of the lot feeding industry through development of environmental approval standards, animal welfare, quality assurance, training and promoting the Industry. It has worked within Australian governments since the 1970’s to develop and introduce minimum standards for grain fed beef on the domestic market. ALFA was also instrumental
in having minimum standards for grain fed beef introduced into the Export Meat Orders in 1992. ALFA coordinates annual conferences aimed at the management of feedlots, including the international conference and trade exhibition, BeefEx, which focuses on major issues confronting the industry in Australia and around the world, in particular the marketing of grain fed beef.
Through ALFA and other research and development programs ILRIC is able provide training activities that will ensure lot feeders are aware of emerging best management
practices. Training workshops and seminars can be facilitated that are aimed at providing education to industry participants, in particular the operations staff at feedlots, using expertise from Australia and overseas. Development of a feedlot industry for developing countries will require skills not only with regard to production activities within the feedlot, but also the accompanying activities that ultimately ensure sustainable integration at the local,
regional and national levels. A successful lot feeding industry will require the development of effective input (feed, supplements, animal health products etc) delivery as well as output distribution systems. This will require transport infrastructure, cold-store, quarantine and animal health system development and support. ILRIC has the skills to design and implement a functioning lot feeding industry or assist with development of any part of the lot feeding system.
Tullimba is a world-class feedlot research facility with the capacity to manage 1000 cattle. The facility has enabled the conduct of leading research into the improvement of meat quality, feed efficiency, animal performance, feed and water intake and feedlot waste management. It allows close cooperation between geneticists, nutritionists and meat scientists and is designed to provide reliable and rigorous research data to maximize industry confidence and use of information flowing from the facility. The Tullimba facility has led research into feedlot waste re-use, in particular ensuring efficient manure and effluent re-use, environmental monitoring of soils and composting.