Farm productivity and natural capital do not have to compete, with research showing there is a “sweet spot” where both environmental and economic performance can benefit.

The Sheep Producers Australia team was on the Glenelg Hopkins CMA stand at the Sheepvention Rural Expo at Hamilton, Victoria, talking with producers about the Green Sheep Project and, more importantly, listening.

It might have looked like an informal discussion over morning tea at LambEx, but the conversations could help shape the next phase of the Green Sheep Project.

From Agfest Field Days, Tasmania, to the saleyards of Western Australia, The Midfield Group Kuleah Farm at Woolsthorpe and Woomargama Station in NSW, partner NRM organisations have been taking the project into their own backyards - connecting with sheep producers and the broader supply chain about what sustainability and natural capital can look like on-farm.

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the World Meat Congress alongside industry leaders, policy makers and supply-chain experts from across the globe. It was a valuable opportunity to reconnect with global colleagues, including counterparts from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, to share insights and compare emerging challenges and opportunities across our sectors.

A national effort to future-proof the Australian sheep industry and strengthen its sustainability will begin next year.