Green Sheep Project launched nationally at Agfest, signaling industry-wide push on sustainability

The Green Sheep Project launched nationally at Agfest in Tasmania, bringing together producers, supply chain leaders and government to back a practical, industry-led approach to sustainability and natural capital management.

Officially launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP, in front of supply chain representatives, local agriculture and Natural Resource Management (NRM) leaders, and sheep producers, the project will run for three years across Australia. 

Led by Sheep Producers Australia, the Green Sheep Project is a national initiative designed to build capability and confidence across the sheep industry, equipping producers with practical tools and knowledge to respond to a changing climate and evolving market expectations. 

Sheep Producers Australia Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Skinner said the national launch marked a significant step forward for the industry. 

“The Green Sheep Project is an investment in the long-term success of our industry,” Ms Skinner said. 

“Producers are increasingly being asked to provide evidence around sustainability and natural capital outcomes, and this project is about making sure the sheep industry is prepared and producers are supported.”

“What makes this project powerful is the whole-of-industry approach - from producers to processors, NRM organisations and supply chain partners - all working together tobuild the capability the industry needs to measure, communicate and respond to changing expectations.” 

Sheep Producers Australia is leading the project nationally, working with delivery partners across key regions - NRM South in Tasmania, Wheatbelt NRM in Western Australia, Glenelg Hopkins CMA in Victoria and Holbrook Landcare Network in New South Wales. 

Each delivery partner has designed, and will implement projects relevant to their own landscapes, sheep production systems and local communities. 

The project is also supported by the broader supply chain, helping connect on-farm practices with market expectations and emerging sustainability requirements. 

The launch also highlighted strong producer involvement, with two of the three Tasmanian sheep producer demonstration sites sharing insights into why the initiative matters on the ground. 

Anna Cotton, manager at Kelvedon Estate, a 5,400-hectare property on Tasmania’s East Coast, and Rosie Downie, representing Dungrove, a 5,600-hectare enterprise in the Central Highlands, spoke about why they are involved in the project and the importance of ensuring producers are supported with practical, credible tools. 

Both producers emphasised the growing need to clearly demonstrate sustainability credentials, improve on-farm decision-making and ensure the sheep industry remains competitive in global markets.

Sheep Producers Australia has played a leading role in identifying the need for a national initiative of this scale and through collaborating with regional delivery partners it ensures the project reflects industry priorities and delivers value across the entire supply chain.

The Green Sheep Project is supported by the Australian Government through the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust, with additional contributions from across the sheepmeat and wool supply chains.