Tasmania

In Tasmania, EverGraze activities are linked to research being undertaken by the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, the 8 x 5 Wool Profit Program and private seed companies.

Collaboration between EverGraze and Greening Australia will allow implementation of a site in the southern midlands of Tasmania. This Supporting Site will showcase to the sheep and wool industries a system that incorporates two new cultivars consisting of a highly productive drought and cold tolerant pasture grass (Spanish Cocksfoot), and a leguminous browse shrub (Dorycnium).

The challenge

Pasture production in the midlands of Tasmania is limited by low temperatures during winter. Persistence of perennials is also reduced by low rainfall in many parts of the region. Perennial ryegrass has been the dominant perennial species sown in the region but has declined in many pastures.

The midlands face environmental challenges of increasing soil salinity, a decline in soil condition (acid soils, erosion) and a decline in water quality due to increased sediments entering waterways. A major production and welfare challenge is that cold exposed conditions during lambing in late winter can lead to large losses of newborn lambs.

EverGraze in Tasmania will establish a Supporting Site demonstrating new perennial pasture systems that overcome these environmental challenges and improve sheep production.

For further details about EverGraze in Tasmania

Contact Warren Hunt
 (03) 5575-3343
Warren.Hunt@dpiw.tas.gov.au