Sugarcane extract and multispecies forage to improve nutrient cycling, animal performance and reduce methane emissions in dairy cows

Campus Plus is pleased to announce the commencement of an Australian Government Department of Education National Industry PhD Industry Research project that brings together La Trobe University and Agriculture Victoria Services Pty Ltd to investigate the role of plant secondary compounds—including sugarcane extract and multispecies forage—in transforming how we think about dairy production.

This interdisciplinary research will examine how these compounds influence the soil, plant, and animal microbiomes as an integrated system. By understanding microbial interactions across this chain, the team hope to unlock pathways for:
✅ Improved nutrient cycling
✅ Enhanced animal performance
✅ Reduced methane emissions in dairy cows

With its focus on practical and scalable outcomes, this project aims to contribute to the long-term viability of Australian agriculture and the environmental sustainability of the dairy industry.

Congratulations to Industry Researcher Monique Berkhout and her supervisory team Joe Jacobs and Enrico Tronchin.

A big thank you to Claire McLoon and Kendra Whiteman for facilitating this project.