The 20:12 Project: Improving Returns for the Dairy Industry

Based at the Cuthbertson Research Laboratories in Burnie, the Dairy Research Group of the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) is undertaking pasture research that has the potential to benefit all grazing enterprises.

The 20:12 Project is the largest research and demonstration project undertaken for the Tasmanian Dairy Industry and is focussed on increasing the amount of dry matter produced on grazed pastures - dry matter is the portion of feed that is not water.

The project involves staff from TIAR, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, and a range of agribusiness companies in the State.

The 20 stands for 20 tonnes of dry matter utilised per hectare of pasture under irrigation and the 12 is the equivalent target under non-irrigated conditions.

Both of these targets are double the current average dry matter production on Tasmanian dairy farms. The 20:12 Project is investigating whether these higher targets are actually achievable, and also whether they are environmentally and economically sustainable.

The three-year project began in 2006 and already the research has generated significant interest amongst farmers. The outcomes will result in more sustainable pastures and therefore greater profitability for grazing operations.