The Calf Alive project, a collaboration between the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and the University of Queensland, led by Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva, has reported significant improvements in calf health and productivity in beef cattle. The study, funded by Meat & Livestock Australia, has found that providing improved nutrition to cows in the weeks leading up to calving has resulted in a 25% increase in pregnancy rates, heavier calves, and enhanced body reserves for cows, leading to improved production. Conducted in north Queensland and the Northern Territory, the project aims to address challenges such as poor diet and heat stress, with plans to develop an index for heat stress in northern beef systems and explore the potential of a new tail hair test for predicting cow performance. The research is designed to provide producers with data to make informed decisions on nutrition improvements and is currently in its second year, with early identification of more productive cows potentially revolutionizing the industry.