Cotton Grains Cattle program: Cropping enabled cattle production

Project locations: Kununurra

Project partners: WA Govt, Dept. Primary Industries and Regional Development ; Cotton Research & Development Corporation (CRDC) ; WA Govt, Dept. Primary Industries and Regional Development ; The University of Western Australia ; Murdoch University ; CSIRO

Project summary and impacts

The project will address research questions underpinning the intensification of irrigated crop and beef production systems in northern Western Australia (WA), particularly in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA). A central focus is to determine the extent to which feed products from irrigated cropping can contribute to local cattle finishing systems – ultimately aiming to produce a universally marketable animal and reduce reliance on live export markets.

Specifically, the project will establish a pilot cattle feeding facility using a ‘GrowSafe’ feed efficiency system and trial a range of tropical feed rations sourced from the irrigated cropping industry, including cotton by-products and corn.

Cattle performance will be assessed using growth rates, carcass composition, meat quality, along with measures of cattle well-being. An economic analysis of these systems and supply chains will also be undertaken.

As the social licence for agricultural intensification faces increasing scrutiny – particularly in environmentally sensitive regions like northern WA – the project will also review the environmental risks associated with irrigated cropping and intensive feeding systems. This includes a focus on water quality, efficient irrigation, and use of pesticides and herbicides.

In parallel, the project will conduct research on livestock methane emissions using a ‘GreenFeed’ system. This will support the development of an economically viable supply chain with a reduced environmental footprint.