Northern cattle producers are invited to an Open Day to see the progress of a new project using crop by-products as cattle feed to boost business productivity, profitability and industry sustainability.
The Cattle & Cotton Open Day at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD’s) Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture will provide an update on the Cropping Enabled Cattle project.
The research examining how cotton seed and meal and other irrigated forage crops, such as corn silage, could help northern pastoralists grow out cattle and provide alternative turn-off options.
DPIRD is leading the project with co-funding from the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC), the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation.
Department research scientist Darcy McCartie said the Open Day program included a tour of the new beef facility and an opportunity to share early trial insights.
“There are now 80 Brahman cross steers at the Frank Wise facility as part of the project, which are doing really well,” he said.
“We’ve run a three-week pilot study to make sure our processes for animal handling, collecting data and running the trial is rock solid.
“Early data shows positive results from cattle-fed cotton seed in a mixed ration.
“Open Day visitors will be able to have a good look at the steers, the new handling yards and feeding facility, and learn more about the feed regime and how we’re collecting the information.”
Cattle growth, health and welfare, performance, time to market and meat quality will be evaluated during the project to help develop an integrated cropping and cattle production system that produces widely marketable animals.
The Open Day will also feature a presentation from CSIRO research scientist James Dougherty who uses big data on comparative nutrition and physiology to model livestock growth and sustainable livestock farming systems.
WAARC Director Kelly Pearce said the Cropping Enabled Cattle project highlighted the power of co-ordinated, multi-organisational collaboration.
“This project brings together networks from DPIRD, CSIRO, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia to strengthen synergies between cropping and cattle systems in WA’s tropical north,” Dr Pearce said.
WAARC is supported by a $25 million investment by the WA Government.
The day will conclude with a sundowner and barbecue.
The Cattle & Cotton Open Day will be held on Monday, 1 September from 2pm to 5pm at the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Lot 203 Durack Drive, Kununurra.
To register, contact darcy.maccartie@dpird.wa.gov.au. RSVPs close Wednesday, 27 August 2025.
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