Key outcomes
- Grazing management course launched by South West NRM in 2018
- Supported 68 livestock producers from 42 enterprises
- Program adopted by other regions
The Grazing Matcher program was initiated by South West NRM in 2018, with 12 livestock enterprises from the region working with agricultural advisors over twelve months to increase pasture production, improve fodder conservation and make cost-effective supplementary feed purchases.
Feedback from participants was highly positive and the program has gone from strength to strength. It is now delivered annually by South West NRM, GeoCatch and Peel Harvey Catchment Council, by facilitators Jeisane Accioly-McIllree and Dan Parnell.
The Grazing Matcher program supports groups of livestock producers to improve grazing, fodder and feed decisions.
As a participating farmer, you will learn:
- Grazing management tailored to local conditions to maximise productivity, quality, resilience to grazing, root growth and nutrient uptake
- How to maximise pasture utilisation
- Efficient fodder production (quality, quantity and cost), storage and use
- Seasonal animal requirements
- Feed analysis and efficient feed allocation
- Animal monitoring to meet production targets
- Farm business performance indicators
- …and more!
How it works:
- Eight to ten businesses per group
- Up to two people per business
- Eight meetings per group over 12 months at participants’ farms
- Four-hour sessions facilitated by local consultants, Jeisane Accioly, Dan Parnell and Dario Nandapi
- Peer networking and professional advice to support your business both at and between meetings.
Cost per business:
$650 (with up to $3,700 additional cost covered by sponsorship and in-kind contributions)
Learn more about the program
For in-depth insights on the history of this project, view the below Article Series document, a collection of work created between 2018 and 2022 about technical aspects of the program and its outcomes. The articles provide an in-depth understanding of the principles covered during the 32 hours of face-to-face contact that advisors had with each group of farmers.
This project is supported by South West NRM, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, in partnership with Western Beef Association Inc and Meat and Livestock Australia’s Profitable Grazing Systems Initiative.
Our project partners
