An Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW research trial near Orange will highlight a 20-paddock rotation grazing treatment which achieved a stocking rate 25 per cent higher than traditional set stocking.

The EverGraze field day at Panuara on Tuesday, October 27 from 9am until 1pm will be of interest to graziers on the tablelands and nearby slopes with results on show from three different grazing management systems for elite lamb production.

I&I NSW research agronomist, Warwick Badgery, said the winning 20-paddock rotation had also delivered a greater annual herbage mass, maintaining high groundcover levels through late summer and into autumn.

"EverGraze aims to boost grazing profits by 50 per cent and improve natural resource management outcomes - were certainly making gains on both those fronts 18 months into this three-year project," Dr Badgery said.

"And were still examining the longterm environmental benefits that can come from improving the level of groundcover."

The 20-paddock rotation has bettered the stocking rate of the third treatment, a four-paddock rotation, by 20 per cent.

EverGraze is primarily focussed on native perennial grasses and the trail paddocks, which have up to 80 per cent natives, held up well last summer.

Dr Badgery said the field day would offer farmers immediate benefits with practical exercises to enhance grazing management skills.

"Well be looking at how to assess both native and exotic pastures, and budget feed accordingly," he said.

EverGraze partners I&I NSW, Lachlan Catchment Management Authority, local farmers, Australian Wool Innovation Ltd and Meat and Livestock Australia through the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre.

The central west project is part of a larger national program in southern Australia for grazing systems in areas which receive more than 600 millilitres of rainfall.

For more information and to register contact Warwick Badgery (02) 6391 3814, 0427 274 034 or warwick.badgery@industry.nsw.gov.au

Digital photographs available bernadette.york@industry.nsw.gov.au

Further reading

Staff profile: Warwick Badgery

Media contact: Bernadette York 6391 3936 or 0427 773 785