Growing profit from the ground up

Pasture Improvement Initiative

Shrub-based system boosts on-farm offerings

Farmers: Rob Lauren Grylls
Location: Bencubbin, Western Australia
Property size: 4200ha
Average annual rainfall: 300mm
Soil types: Variable from clay to sandy types
Enterprise mix: Merino sheep, cropping (wheat, barley, oats, triticale, field peas and lupins), alley systems of forage shrubs

Rob Grylls (pictured) has gained multiple benefits from his shrub-based pasture system, including improved animal health, wool quality and strength and a reduced requirement for mineral supplementation. (Photo: MLA)

Rob Grylls (pictured) has gained multiple benefits from his shrub-based pasture system, including improved animal health, wool quality and strength and a reduced requirement for mineral supplementation. (Photo: MLA)

Shrubs have been added to the menu by Western Australian sheep producers, Rob and Lauren Grylls, and the nutritional benefits of dietary diversity are already being seen.

Key points

  • Animal protein and grazing requirements can be met by shrubs and companion pasture.
  • Shrubs can fill summer and autumn feed gaps.
  • Preparation is critical before establishing forage shrubs.

Click here to download the Grylls case study (PDF 1.1MB)

Note: This case study was developed as past of the Enrich project under the former Future Farm Industries CRC.