Adapting Regenerative Grazing for Low Rainfall Sheep Production

Regenerative grazing is currently not commonplace within Australia’s lower rainfall and sheep dominated areas. 

Observations from The United States (US) and South Africa have proven that regenerative grazing can be applied to lower rainfall areas with success. That success has been measured as a sustainable increase in overall carrying capacity. 

To understand how to implement a regenerative grazing system it is recommended to first seek some formal training. Understanding key concepts will allow for best adaptation to an individual environment and circumstance. It is much easier to learn how to do something if you first understand why you are doing it.

Both sheep and cattle properties were visited in low rainfall areas that each had their own story of learning and success. Indeed, the level of success was staggering with increases to carrying capacity of 1.5 to almost three times their original. 

Sheep dominated regenerative grazing systems were shown to provide significant increases to overall carrying capacity. Cattle systems however, or systems incorporating both sheep and cattle, proved to show the greatest potential for increased carrying capacity. Improvement was created faster and to a greater degree when grazing cattle as opposed to sheep alone.

How to setup such a grazing system must consider additional labour and infrastructure costs. Well-designed paddock systems as well as cheaper forms of fencing, namely electric fencing, provide real solutions to make the initial period more accessible.

A key to getting the most out of pastures without negative impacts is to appropriately match stocking rate to carrying capacity. The three inventories, grass, money and livestock must be considered and managed together.