Climate-ready livestock
Building resilient farming systems on Eyre Peninsula
Eyre Peninsula livestock producers are managing increasingly variable seasons that include extended dry periods, changing feed availability and pressure on water supplies. The Climate-ready Livestock project aims to help producers prepare for these challenges and build more adaptable, productive and resilient farming systems.
The project is a collaboration between the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board and AIR EP, with AIR EP supporting its delivery across the region. Together, the organisations will provide practical information, tools and learning opportunities to support better livestock, farm business and natural resource management decisions.
The project will explore strategies suited to Eyre Peninsula’s mixed farming systems, recognising that every business faces different seasonal conditions, resources, and risks.
Meet our Livestock Coordinator
Hannah Gordon is the Livestock Coordinator, who will lead the Climate-ready Livestock project to June 2027.
Hannah will collaborate closely with producers across Eyre Peninsula to deliver workshops, share practical tools and information, and support the development of livestock systems that are better prepared for seasonal and climate challenges.
A project Steering Committee, consisting of local livestock producers and industry representatives, has been formed to support Hannah and provide guidance and recommendations on behalf of Eyre Peninsula producers.
Project objectives
The project aims to:
- improve producers’ capacity to adapt to more frequent dry periods, variable feed supplies, and water scarcity.
- support informed decision-making through business planning, livestock benchmarking, technology, and farm data.
- explore practical strategies such as confinement feeding, feedbase improvement, livestock integration with cropping, genetics, and alternative marketing approaches.
- encourage farming practices that balance profitability, natural resource management, and climate risk.
- establish a steering group of leading mixed farmers to guide project delivery, keep activities locally relevant and extend the project’s influence beyond its formal completion.
Key focus areas
Water security and efficiency
Planning for limited water supplies, improving water point design and testing water quality to support livestock health and productivity.
Managing the feedbase under climate stress
Understanding pasture and feed value, using feed testing, developing supplementary feeding strategies, and applying tools such as MLA’s Feedbase Monitor and drought calculators.
Animal health in a changing climate
Managing parasites, nutrition, early weaning, and livestock stress during events such as extreme heat, feed shortages, and confinement.
Decision-making and data
Setting clear farm business goals, using electronic identification and livestock data systems, and considering the balance between cropping and grazing within mixed farming enterprises.
Markets and profitability
Exploring marketing options in thin or changing markets and assessing the relative risks and opportunities of livestock and cropping under greater climate variability.
Contact
Hannah Gordon, Livestock Coordinator – 0408 311 122 or E: hannahgordon36@gmail.com
For the latest events and resources visit the AIR EP website.