Registrations are now open for the 2026 Grazing Matcher program, which starts in April 2026.
Tailored to graziers in the Geographe region, the 12-month program supports farmers to enhance productivity and profitability of their grazing businesses while minimising environmental impacts.
Covering a broad range of topics from pasture deferment and insect management to supplementing and assessing livestock condition, the tools and strategies shared with participants are designed to help build knowledge and confidence to implement changes on their farm. Hands-on exercises and group discussions are also part of the mix to equip farmers to make better decisions under variable seasonal conditions.
A key focus of the program is understanding how pasture responds to grazing pressure and weather conditions. Temperature and rainfall vary each week, let alone from year to year, influencing pasture growth and recovery. Using these principles strategically, rather than reacting to the consequences give producers the power to be in control.
The Grazing Matcher program welcomes livestock farmers of all backgrounds and experiences, ranging from third-generation sheep farmers to young families embarking on their farming journey with smaller acreages. Participants kickstart the program by crafting a customized rotational grazing plan tailored to their property, it applies time-tested principles specific for southern WA climatic and soil conditions, long utilized by dairy farmers and now considered best practice for beef and sheep operations.
“Completing the Grazing Matcher program has helped us move to being prepared for whatever the season will throw at us. Throughout the 12 months of the program, we implemented what we had learned at each meeting”.
Past participant
The Grazing Matcher program has been running since 2017 in various regions in southern WA and was initiated by the Western Beef Association Inc and South West NRM. It is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia’s Profitable Grazing Systems program and GeoCatch.
Limited places are now available for the 2026 program in the Geographe Catchment. Interested farmers can contact GeoCatch on 0491 069 078 or register at www.geocatch.asn.au/sustainable-agriculture/grazing-matcher/
This initiative is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
Photos below: 2025 Grazing Matcher Program participants learned from the experts with hands-on exercises and group discussions.
