The project aims to redesign livestock forage systems for year-round grazing in Mediterranean environments, minimizing the need for supplementary feeding. The focus is sheep grazing systems in Southwest WA, which are challenged by climate change with increasingly hotter, drier, and more variable seasons.
A range of novel pasture and feedbase options will be evaluated in species mixtures under grazing, particularly to target key seasonal feed gaps, before and at the end of the growing season.
Co-funded by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Meat & Livestock Australia, GGA will collaborate on the project alongside grower groups.
Research has commenced at the DPIRD Katanning Research Facility and expanded to six grower groups in a participatory research process including on-farm demonstration sites this year. More details here.
Activities
On June 11 MLA is hosting a webinar showcasing Feed365 findings. The session explores how diverse forage systems can help producers reduce feed gaps and build more resilient, profitable sheep enterprises.
Daniel Real from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA (DPIRD) shares findings from four years of forage trials at Katanning Research Station.
Daniel will step through what the project learned about matching forage species to seasonal conditions, improving feed supply during critical periods, and lifting whole‑farm productivity through a flexible feedbase.
Register here
Project Updates
Update 4 – Forage systems announced| May 2026
Four suitable forage systems have been identified following evaluation of 49 forage mixtures within the Feed365 Project. The optimal combination comprises of strategically grazing crops and perennial and annual pastures, without the need for supplementary feed. Media Release.
Update 3 – Perennials prove their worth in a dry year
Melanie Dixon, Mixed Farming Systems Officer at West Midlands Group
Update 2 – Call for grower group demonstration sites | March 2022
The Successful groups will receive up to $20,000 per year over three years to host the trials. Information on the trials for the project can be accesses below. Enquiries on this aspect of the project should be directed to Janet Conte, DPIRD, 0439 144 500, Janet.Conte@dpird.wa.gov.au
Update 1 – Three grower groups to host demonstration sites| December 2021
Three local groups have been successful in their application to host demonstration trials sites over the next three years and include West Midlands Group, ASHEEP, and Wagin-Woodanilling Landcare Zone group.
News
Resources
DPIRD Project Page
Review the full project scope and elements on the DPIRD project page.
Species List
63 Species are being studied as part of the project – review the species list and see where they are on the research station field maps.
Trial Plot Maps
Review all the trial plots currently hosted at the DPIRD Katanning Research Station which is the primary trial site for the research.
Podcast Episode
Project partner West Midlands Group discusses the project scope and receives insights from project DPIRD Feedbase Pasture Researcher – Daniel Real
Project Team
Contact
General project enquiries to Alison Lacey at GGA
Collaborators
