Using a participatory approach to refining and prioritising recommendations for future extension delivery in the Tasmanian dairy industry

Supporting dairy farmers to develop pasture management knowledge and skills through implementation of best practice recommendations has been a priority for research, development and extension in the Tasmanian dairy industry. Many farmers have not engaged with extension, and/or have not implemented recommended pasture management practices. The purpose of this study was to refine and prioritise recommendations for future extension and pasture management activities from a survey of 162 Tasmanian dairy farmers that identified current practices and extension engagement, and in-depth, qualitative interviews with 30 of these farmers that explored factors influencing adoption and engagement behaviours. Preliminary recommendations for developing future extension activities were drafted from these studies. A modified Delphi technique and survey invited these 30 farmers to prioritise the recommendations. Highest priority recommendations include: introducing different levels of pasture management training relative to experience; identifying and targeting farmers motivating values; and their requirement for ongoing, on-farm support to apply pasture management information and principles.