AWI’s Enrich project is developing principles for new grazing systems based on perennial shrubs. The integration of perennial shrubs and pasture species in low rainfall environments will diversify the available food sources, fill feed gaps and provide a more reliable feedbase in low and variable rainfall environments.

The project, in conjunction with the Future Farm Industries CRC:

• Used modelling to investigate the value of fodder shrubs in mixed farming systems
• Identified productive shrub and pasture combinations using feed quality data from new and improved NIR calibrations for fodder shrubs
• Determined the role of bioactive compounds in fodder shrubs that may reduce methane production, protein breakdown, acid production and/or worm burdens
• Is finalising guidelines for the successful use of shrubs, including managing grazing animal behaviour, in mixed farming systems.

Guidelines for incorporating shrubs into medium to low rainfall grazing systems will soon be available to download.