Invitation to Participate in AridGraze Research Project for Sustainable Grazing in Central Australia

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is inviting cattle producers from the Northern Territory to become actively involved in a pivotal research project aimed at testing innovative approaches to sustainable grazing management. This initiative, known as the AridGraze project, focuses on the arid rangelands of Central Australia.

Building on the success of the Paddock Challenge program, the AridGraze project will extend its research efforts for an additional 12 months, supported by the Northern Drought Hub. This project will not only continue existing paddock challenges on commercial stations but will also introduce a new Producer Paddock Challenge at the Old Man Plains Research Station (OMP), located near Alice Springs.

Tim Schatz, the Director of Livestock Industries, emphasized the significance of this opportunity, stating: “This is a great opportunity for producers to be directly involved in designing and steering research that can deliver practical outcomes for industry.” He further explained that by aligning producer-driven management decisions with research-based recommendations on carrying capacity, valuable insights into effective grazing management can be derived, supporting both productivity and land condition.

About the Paddock Challenge Concept

The Paddock Challenge initiative involves a comparative study between a standard paddock and a ‘challenge’ paddock, which is managed according to long-term carrying capacity recommendations. This project aims to integrate real-world practices with scientific research to foster sustainable grazing techniques.

Call for Participants

DAF is seeking 6-10 Territory producers to join a project group responsible for making critical stocking and management decisions for the new Producer Paddock Challenge. Participants will include both seasoned pastoralists and newcomers to the industry, collaborating closely with DAF farm managers and researchers.

Interested producers are required to attend a field day in March 2026 at Old Man Plains Research Station to observe the paddocks, cattle, and management systems in action. Moreover, participants will review results from 15 years of grazing trials and earlier paddock challenges. A workshop is also planned for April 2026 at the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI), where producers will co-design the project, determine appropriate stocking rates, and finalize the management plan with guidance from DAF researchers.

The data recording for the Producer Challenge paddocks is set to commence in June 2026.

Benefits of Participation

By engaging in the AridGraze project, participants will play a crucial role in co-developing practical, industry-relevant research. The initiative also offers a platform for learning from fellow producers and sharing local knowledge.

How to Get Involved

Producers who are interested in participating are encouraged to email the DAF Livestock Industries Development team by Friday, 7 November 2025, at livestock.extension@nt.gov.au.

Source: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)