Positive results from Evergraze program for Andrew and Jill Stewart

The Stewarts have adapted their prime lamb enterprise to meet challenging seasonal conditions using evidence based research presented in the EverGraze program.

Location: Otway Ranges of southern Victoria

Enterprise: Prime lambs and forestry

Producer: Andrew and Jill Stewart

Soil type: Sandy loam

Pasture type: Perennial grass, legume and herb-based pastures

The Stewarts have adapted their prime lamb enterprise to meet challenging seasonal conditions using evidence based research presented in the EverGraze program.

“Both Jill and I work off-farm and we are conscious of keeping our operation as streamlined as possible," Andrew said. Andrew coordinates the Otway Agroforestry Network and is a director of the Australian Agroforestry Foundation, and Jill is a veterinary nurse and sheepdog trainer.

Article Summary:

• ​Andrew and Jill join close to 1,270 first-cross ewes each year and sell all of their lambs
• Their operation relies on a combination of legume-based pastures and perennial grass.
• The 230ha farm has been divided into landclasses and has an agroforestry system, creating wildlife corridors via connected shelterbelts.
• Andrew credits the health and productivity of the sheep and feedbase to ongoing training
• Condition scoring, ewe management and pasture development have been integral to results
• They recently marked 183% on a mob of maiden ewes with all scanning pregnant with twins.
• Andrew credits good shelter and high amounts of feed on offer (1,700+kg/ha) for the high marking %
• The couple attend training programs together which has benefited decision making in the business.
• Open discussion has guided their youngest daughter Kristy in the practical application of training while she completed her Bachelor of Agricultural Science.

For more information on the application of Andrew and Jills training read the full article here