EverGraze is a new program which aims to develop new grazing systems to increase profits and improve catchment health in different environments across southern Australia. The North East Victorian program is the result of funding and resources provided by the National Landcare Program, Australian Alpine Valleys Agribusiness Forum and North East Catchment Management Authority in conjunction with Future Farm Industries CRC, Meat and Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation Limited.

With more perennials and better livestock, EverGraze aims to increase the profitability of livestock enterprises by up to 50% while simultaneously improving natural resources such as water management, perenniality, biodiversity and soil health.

The project comprises of two site types:

Proof sites where experimental testing into innovative grazing and livestock projection will determine environmental impact and farm profitability.

Six research teams at Proof Sites in three states, one of which based in Chiltern, are testing new farming systems, measuring soil, water, pasture and livestock inputs and outputs to enable accurate modelling of their impact catchment outcomes and farm profits. Three sites are focussing on sown exotic perennial species with the remaining three working on existing native perennials.

The Proof Sites investigate :

• using more summer active perennials

• grazing management to enhance desirable native species and increase ground cover

• integrating native and introduced perennials into farming systems

• rotational grazing systems to improve biodiversity and pasture production

Support site networks allow groups of livestock producers to trial new grazing practices or perennial pasture systems with the potential to meet the EverGraze aims of increased profitability and improved environmental outcomes.

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