Enrich Phase2 (F1 FP03)

The Enrich Phase 2 project is developing profitable shrub-based systems that best utilise the interactions between soil, plant performance, phytochemistry, animal grazing behaviour, animal nutrition and gut health. It builds on the first phase of research (Enrich Phase 1) completed by the former CRC Salinity by extending research to quantify variation in nutritive value and plant bioactive properties over time and space, between stages of plant maturity, and within and between plant species. Phase 2 is also undertaking engagement with regional groups across southern Australia to explore the potential for alternative forage shrubs.

The project is exploring the use of alternative forage shrubs and, in particular, how they can add to the existing feed base. The CRC believes improvements can be made by

Using a greater range of shrub species
Using complementary plant species (including herbaceous species with shrubs)
Manipulating learnt behaviour and training animals to improve shrub utilisation
Capitalising on of plants to provide nutrients and beneficial secondary compounds for grazing livestock, as profitable and sustainable components of mixed enterprise farms.

Objectives:

Test at the paddock scale how functional combinations of plants including perennial shrubs can contribute to profitable, resilient and sustainable production systems in mixed enterprise farms by managing livestock based on grazing behaviours and diet selection
Exploit bioactive plant properties
Incorporating plants that can be successfully established and managed to meet desired productivity targets.
Build on emerging knowledge from Enrich Phase 1 to identify shrub species that collectively provide nutrients and beneficial secondary compounds for livestock
Establish strong and effective collaborations between researchers and regional groups (CMAs, NRM groups, producer groups, Landmark) to develop and test innovative new systems.

Activities

Establishment and monitoring has been successful at two new large plant evaluation sites, one at Condobolin (NSW) and the other at Merredin (WA). The rapid growth of the plants at Condobolin has been impressive, while at Merredin the survival of most species has been the stand out feature.

Establishment and monitoring of regional plant evaluation sites in partnership with regional groups is continuing at 16 sites. Established in 2009 are five new sites located at Eyre Peninsula (SA) x 2; Upper North (SA); Mallee (SA); Northern Agricultural region (WA).

Sample collection and laboratory screening is quantifying variation due to growing site of the plants, effects of grazing on plant traits and bioactivity, and between-plant variation within species. A comprehensive database on nutritive value has been developed and researchers have been able to make more reliable predictions of in vivo shrub digestibility based on results from a related project led by Dr Hayley Norman (CSIRO).

Progress with field studies at Badgingarra (WA) and Monarto (SA) has been successful in quantifying plant regrowth after grazing, animal preferences for the different shrub species and the effects of plant combinations on animal performance.

This SARDI video presentation provides a good overview about Enrich.