Associate ProfessorMegan Verdon

Project Total: $930,179; This project aims to build resilient and productive cattle shipping practices across Tasmania by combining retrospective data analysis and prospective intervention trials to generate the first evidence base to inform industry best practice. It brings together the entire value chain - producers, transporters, and processors - in a first-of-its-kind collaborative study of livestock shipping in Tasmania. We will integrate two complementary approaches. First, more than 20 years of Flinders Island producer records will be paired with Bureau of Meteorology data, journey length and route information, and processing outcomes to identify the main vulnerabilities in current shipping systems. Second, prospective intervention trials on King and Flinders Islands will test practical improvements under real-world conditions. Funded by: MLA Donor Company ($930,172); Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania ($230,000); Greenham Tasmania Pty Ltd ($120,000); University of Tasmania ($693,802).

Project Total: $119,616; This project drives sustainable livestock management by redeveloping training content and providing hands-on learning for red meat producers and advisors. Key activities include delivery of updated MBfP training modules in Tasmania, extending research on the benefits of virtual fencing and an improved feedbase, and preparing case studies on virtual fencings commercial application. This initiative will boost producer confidence, improve animal welfare, and strengthen industry resilience. Funded by: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry ($119,618); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $290,060; This project will provide the first long-term assessment of VF/VH in commercial grazing dairy herds, and will provide the first emotional state evaluation to understand how cows feel under this management. This research has three distinct but complementary parts: Part 1 will investigate dairy farmer perceptions and experiences of cow welfare generally and of lameness specifically under Halter virtual fencing (VF) management. Part 2 will compare Halter VF/VH and conventional electric fencing (EF) systems on commercial dairy farms, assessing lameness incidence, cow fear of humans, and cow flow along laneways during milking shifts. Part 3 will assess the emotional states of cows managed under VF/VH versus EF in a controlled research setting. The three parts are independent, but together they provide the first long-term evaluation of both the physical and emotional components of cow welfare under VF/VH management. Funded by: Halter New Zealand ($290,061); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $16,586; Halter virtual fencing devices typically deliver an electrical pulse of 0.1 J. TIAs previous research using an upper threshold of 0.2 J found no differences in stress physiology between cows trained and managed with Halter virtual fencing and those managed with conventional electric fencing. Halter has expanded significantly since that time, and current commercial experience indicates that a small proportion of animals may require a higher setting of up to 0.45 J for effective management. This project aims to increase understanding of the aversiveness of electric shock within the 0.10.45 J range, to ensure responsible use of the technology. The evidence generated will provide a critical scientific basis for the development of policy and regulation of virtual fencing technologies at both national and international levels. Working with a commercial dairy farmer, this project will observe the behavioural response of 40 nave dairy cows randomly assigned on one of four shock energy levels (0.1 J, 0.2 J, 0.3 J, 0.45 J) for training to the Halter technology. Funded by: Halter Pty Limited ($16,587); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $6,820,833; This project will explore the additive effect of more intensive grazing management, facilitated by Halter virtual fencing technology, on improved pastures on the productivity of heifers and first year calvers. Funded by: Meat and Livestock Australia - Grant; University of Adelaide; Halter New Zealand; Tasmanian Beef Industry (Research and Development) Trust; TRT Pastoral Group; Adelaide University; University of Tasmania ($842,000).

Project Total: $486,470; Virtual-fencing (VF) is a disruptive technology with significant potential for livestock systems. In 2021, TIA published the world's first evaluation of VF in dairying and identified improvements needed in its design. With an ergonomically designed smart collar, Halter, a start-up based in New Zealand, addresses these concerns. Commercial deployment of VF is underway on several farms in Tasmania after extensive roll-out in New Zealand. Research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this breakthrough technology for overcoming labour shortages, increasing pasture consumption, and improving the health and welfare of our grass-fed livestock. Expected economic returns from this project are significant. Funded by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania - Agricultural Development Fund ($486,470); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $209,380; In collaboration with Halter, this research will study the application of Halter virtual fencing technology to manage dairy cattle over a longer deployment of 4-weeks in Tasmanian conditions. We will study the technology when used to allocate pasture and to herd cows to the dairy. These two uses were identified by dairy farmers as the most beneficial applications of the technology. Funded by: Halter New Zealand ($209,380); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $44,754; This project will assess the growth and health of dairy-beef crossbred calves reared on a grain-free calf starter in comparison to a traditional grain-based starter. Data on growth, health events, concentrate consumption, time to weaning (based on weaning at 100 kg and consuming 1 kg grain/day for 3 consecutive days) and post-weaning growth will be collected. Funded by: Dairy Australia Limited ($11,603); Greenham Tasmania Pty Ltd ($33,151); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $10,000; Synthetic review that will produce new knowledge and identify opportunities for practical and effective enrichment programs in Australian livestock industries. Funded by: University of New England ($10,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $3,277,567; A multifaceted research approach is required to address the pressing challenges of high synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use, non-replacement dairy calves, and skill shortages of the Tasmanian dairy community. We propose to resolve these challenges by building on our prior projects and expertise, through the following three fields of work: * Feedbase Research - Achieve 20 tonnes of dry matter utilisation from irrigated pasture and 2000 kg milk solids per hectare with only 200 kg of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. * Welfare Research and Development - Reduce the number of non-replacement dairy calves slaughtered at an early age by 50% by increasing carcass value and reducing rearing and finishing costs. * Extension - Enhancing and developing skills in the Tasmanian dairy community to support sustainable growth of pasture-based farming systems. Funded by: Dairy Australia Limited ($3,079,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $50,000; This project will investigate the benefits to production and sustainability in the adoption and application of advanced management technologies (AMTs), such as the AWI SmartTags, in several high performing wool producing properties in Tasmania. The objective of this project is to (1) create national and global visibility of the on-farm adoption of AMTs, and (2) demonstrate the use of AMTs in supporting practices associated with high quality, sustainable and socially acceptable wool and sheep production systems. This phase 1 project will support a potentially longer-term commitment between contributing parties and broader collaboration with a range of supply chain stakeholders Funded by: Australian Wool Innovation Limited - Grant-Research and Development Open Call ($50,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $1,079,830; This project focuses on sustainable and profitable growth in Tasmania's pasture based dairy industry. In this 16-month project proposal we will research and combine the accessible and emerging technologies and practices that are driving productivity and efficiency improvements, with the industry's desire to address consumer expectations with respect to environmental management (our environment), animal welfare (our cows) and our people. This will be achieved by focusing on 5 areas of work that relate to our environment, our cows and our people 1. Nitrogen efficiency in highly productive systems (environment). 2. Novel grazing practices in large grass-fed dairy systems (cows). 3. Addressing and preparing for changing social values with respect to animal welfare (cows). 4. Regional people and skills shortages (People). 5. Building capacity in the Tasmanian dairy industry (People). The proposed integrated RD&E program is designed with 16 months of activities + a five year time horizon, at the request of the funder, Dairy Australia. Funded by: Dairy Australia Limited - Grant-Research and Development ($1,079,830); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $3,780,000; This project aims through the use of virtual fencing/herding technology to improve the productivity and profitability of livestock enterprises through optimising the management of individual grazing animals and better matching their requirements with feed availability. Funded by: Department of Agriculture - Grant-Rural R&D for Profit program; Dairy Australia Limited; University of Tasmania ($180,000).

Project Total: $22,000; Funded by: Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Project Total: $114,000; Funded by: Australian Pork Limited

Project Total: $18,821; Funded by: Pork Co-operative Research Centre

Project Total: $124,888; Funded by: Pork Co-operative Research Centre

Project Total: $124,888; Funded by: Pork Co-operative Research Centre