Opportunity for the North Australian Beef Industry

Written By Jeanette Perry

We are thrilled to announce the Northern Breeding Business (NB2) program is starting a new group near you!

The NB2 program is a producer-driven, peer-to-peer project designed specifically to support beef breeders in northern Australia.

Peer-to-peer learning leverages the collective knowledge and experiences of a group, rather than relying on traditional instructor-led learning. In the context of the North Australian Beef industry, who better to learn from than someone who truly understands your day-to-day business challenges and has already tried “it”?

While calling your neighbour or fellow producer is usually a good place to start, the NB2 program, supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), offers much more than just bringing people together for a cuppa and a yarn. Here are the details:

Aim of the Project:

  • Increase Productivity

             5% increase in weaning rate

             1% decrease in mortality rate

             10kg LW increase/AE

  • Improve Long-Term Financial Viability

  • Increase Adoption of Measurable Practice Changes

How It Works

With training and support, NB2 producers will collect standardised beef business records over a two-year period. These records will be analysed to establish baselines for herd productivity, feedbase resilience, and profitability.

Within your peer group, you'll discuss areas for improvement, learn from others, and identify opportunities for learning and development together. Only de-identified aggregate data results are shared.

What's in it for You?

  • Professional Development and Training Activities: Including feed budgeting and data collection.

  • Personalised Business Analysis and Advice: Supporting informed decision-making.

  • Develop a Local Network: Connect with like-minded businesses.

  • Control the Direction: Influence additional group learning activities.

  • Confidentiality: Your data is yours.

  • Access to NB2 Annual Conference: Hosted by MLA.

  • Local Benchmarking: Compare your performance with peers.

  • Funding Support from MLA.

  • Group Facilitation: By BMRG’s Sustainable Ag Facilitator.

Your Commitments to the Project:

Participation in the NB2 program requires effort from group members. A willingness to participate and share experiences within your NB2 group is crucial to program success. Key commitments include:

Time:

Minimum two years.

  • Record Keeping: E.g., herd inventory and feed budgets.

  • Confidentiality: Respect for each other’s privacy.

  • Cost Investment: $2000 per annum per business (Ex-GST).

  • Participation: In group discussions and activities.

Interested?

Supported by MLA, BMRG’s Sustainable Ag Facilitator, Amy-Lee Provost, is looking for 5-8 beef breeders to participate in a new NB2 group. If you’d like to know more about the program or express your interest in participating, please contact Amy-Lee.

 Learn more about the NB2 program, including an NB2 case study HERE.

Jeanette Perry
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