Bestprac
Bestprace is a continuous improvement project for arid zone rangeland wool producers.
Focused thinking and action to impact on performance in the rangeland wool industry
Bestprac involves a network of producer groups from across the arid zone rangelands of Australia. Through benchmarking, Bestprac groups focus thinking and action on projects that positively impact on a pastoral sheep business.
Bestprac is based on the management assumption "practice follows planning". Through benchmarking, participants identify projects of high potential high value. Groups then provide mentoring support for implementation and action.
Evaluation from the first phase of the project suggested that 80% of Bestprac group members have made positive changes to on-farm management practices and close to 15% have reported increased profits as a direct result of the program.
More about the program
| Program information | Details |
| Locations |
Specialist Arid Zone Rangeland Wool producing regions of South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia |
| Number of groups involved |
Currently involving 31 groups involving nearly 300 people. A number of new groups are continuing to form. |
| Benefits |
Benefits include:
- Networking opportunities with positive and like-minded sheep producers who are committed to the future of the rangelands wool and meat industry.
- Potential to increase on farm profits due to adoption of productivity improvements.
- Taking control - there is potential to implement systems that enhance balance between work and family - "You cannot wish things will get better, you must get better".
- A focus on projects that will make a difference to the whole business (profits, people and the natural resource base)
- A network of producers who are able to identify research needs then work with research providers to address these issues. |
| Partners / sponsors |
Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and Livestock Australia are investing $1.3 million dollars over three years |
| Activities |
Typically a Bestprac group participates in:
- Production and financial benchmarking to assess performance and identify priority areas for a tailored training program to be designed and delivered.
- Workshop activities - these are typically focused on real time issues that producers have to make decisions about. For example, the current focus for many groups is increasing lambing and weaning percentages as a way of restocking and maximising surplus sheep sales.
- Some groups have and are undertaking on farm trials and study tours to research new innovations in sheep husbandry.
- Other groups are developing best practice guidelines and checklists. This helps improve management effectiveness and compares management approaches within a group. |
| Management |
Bestprac is based on local producer groups involving four to six businesses. Each group is facilitated by an adviser / facilitator. Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and Livestock Australia pay for this support.
There is also a small contribution from each business to encourage commitment to the project. Each group meets four times per year.
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| Publications |
The Bestprac Insight brochure, quarterly Bestprac newsletter for participants |
| How to get involved? |
Form a group with your neighbours, then contact the Bestprac National Coordinator. Funding is available to support group operations for a two year period. |
Resources
Contact
David Heinjus
Clare SA
Tel (08) 8842 1103
Fax (08) 8842 1766
Other groups
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