Mackinnon Project
The Mackinnon Project is an international leader in sheep and beef consultancy offering a unique range of services including farm management consultancies, farmer training programs, contract research and post graduate training programs.
Based at the University of Melbourne's Werribee campus on the outskirts of Melbourne, the Mackinnon Project is a recognised leader in sheep and beef consultancy both in Australia and internationally. We offer a unique range of services, including farm management consultancies, farmer training programs, contract research and post graduate training programs.
The Mackinnon Project was established in 1983 with the specific aim of improving the productivity and profitability of sheep flocks and beef herds following a bequest from the Scobie and Claire Mackinnon Trust. The bequest from the Trust is ongoing and supports the residency program. Scobie and Claire Mackinnon owned Mooramong Station at Skipton and had a strong interest in animal and veterinary science.
The Mackinnon Project draws on a pool of practical, scientific expertise covering each facet of modern beef, prime lamb and wool production. Our consultants have a "whole farm" approach to grazing enterprises and provide advice on every aspect of successful farm management, from
whole farm planning through to marketing.
As part of the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne, the Mackinnon Project has access to the University's full diagnostic, computing and educational facilities.
Project consultants work closely with scientists in the CSIRO, Departments of Agriculture, chemical companies, farm advisers, and specialists in key funding bodies, such as Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), to provide the latest information to clients.
The Mackinnon Project’s core functions include education, research and whole farm consultancy for the extensive livestock industries. We also offer consultancy services to agribusiness.
Head – Production Animals
Professor Andrew Fisher
adfisher@unimelb.edu.au
Senior Consultant
Dr John Webb Ware
j.webbware@unimelb.edu.au
Consultants
Dr Leah Tyrell
ldtyrell@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Bea Kirk
kbeata@unimelb.edu.au
Dr Elsa Glanville
elsa.glanville@unimelb.edu.au
Residents and Postgraduate Students
Dr Daniel Brookes
dbrookes@unimelb.edu.au
Mackinnon Project consultants are actively involved in a range of research projects. This research always aims at solving practical problems encountered by grazing enterprises.
We also undertake contract research for Trusts and private organisations. For example, agribusiness and animal health companies value the independent and impartial approach of the Mackinnon Project. We also add considerable value by advising on trial design, ensuring that the work addresses industry problems, and sourcing reliable co-operators from motivated Mackinnon Project clients who run large, commercially focussed grazing enterprises.
The results of our research are rapidly transferred to producers and other advisers through the consultant-client network, presentations at producer forums and professional conferences. We also publish these findings in farming publications, refereed journals or as major reports.
Major projects are usually funded by the industry funding bodies, such as Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and The Australian Sheep CRC (Co-operative Research Centre).
Research Publications
We are regularly invited to write articles in rural newspapers and magazines and of course, we publish our results in scientific journals, theses, and major reports for industry and agribusiness.
Research Projects
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Internal Parasites (Worms)
- Integrated Parasite Management (IPM)-sheep (IPM-s)
- Developing & validating a grazing management system to control worms in weaner sheep (‘Smart grazing’)
- Causes and costs of scouring and dag in merinos
- Reinfection after summer drenching
- Worms in high input grazing systems
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Profitability and Reducing Risk
- Drought, Climate and rainfall
- The effect of time of shearing on wool production and management, including weaner survival & health
- Remote automated sheep weighing
- More Beef from Pastures
- Wool price risk management
- Analysis of the profitability of sheep wool and meat enterprises
- Optimum time of lambing
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Wool Quality
- The effect of time of shearing on wool production and management
- The effects of reproduction on the staple strength of wool
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Transferring the Results of Research
- South Roxby Project
- Eyre network
- Footrot focus groups
Past events
The “Good Oil” on Lamb Finishing Systems
Mackinnon Project Seminar
Wednesday 13 November 2019, registrations 9.00am, seminars 9.30am - 3.15pm, the University of Melbourne Werribee campus, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Vic 3030
Drought Workshop
So it hasn't rained - an update on drought management
Tuesday 30 October 2018, 9.30am - 12.30pm, Dookie College
Investment in Agriculture
Mackinnon Project Seminar
Thursday 28 September 2017, 9:30am
Improving efficiency of farming systems
Mackinnon Project Seminar
Tuesday 29 September 2015
Every month we publish a newsletter which is distributed (by paid subscription) to over 450 of Australia's leading farmers and advisors. It is choc-a-block full of practical farm management advice, with relevant seasonal reminders.
- Address
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250 Princes Highway
Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia - General Enquiries
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T | +61 3 9731 2225
F | +61 3 9731 2388
Email | elysia.ling@unimelb.edu.au - Out of Hours Emergency Livestock Enquiries
- T | +61 3 9731 2226 or +61 0439 748 605