Regenerative Agriculture

Many land managers share a common goal: to leave their land in better condition than they found it.

Regenerative agriculture is one approach being adopted by land managers across the region to achieve that goal.

At its heart, regenerative agriculture is about not just restoring the land, but improving it. It focuses on building healthier soils, supporting biodiversity and strengthening the natural systems that productive farming depends on.

What this looks like in practice will vary from farm to farm. It’s about making practical changes that suit your property and help build a healthier, more resilient farming system for the years ahead.

Keeping your soil covered
Keeping soil covered with living plants or plant residues can help protect it from wind and water erosion, while supporting soil health.

Minimising soil disturbance
Reducing cultivation and other disturbance can help protect soil structure and the beneficial organisms living in your soil.

Keeping living roots in the soil
Growing plants for as much of the year as possible provides food for soil microbes and helps maintain healthy soil function.

Increasing diversity
Growing a wider range of plants and incorporating different species into pastures or cropping systems can support nutrient cycling and ecosystem health.

Moving livestock strategically
Planned or rotational grazing can help you manage pasture growth, distribute nutrients and give plants time to recover.

Healthier soils
Building soil organic matter and supporting diverse soil biology can improve soil structure, nutrient cycling and the ability of your soil to support productive crops and pastures.

Making better use of water
Healthy soils can absorb and hold more water, helping improve infiltration and making moisture available to plants for longer during dry periods.

More biodiversity on your farm
Diverse pastures, shelterbelts and other vegetation can provide habitat for beneficial insects, pollinators and native species, while contributing to a healthier landscape.

Potentially lower input needs
As your soil health improves, you may find opportunities to reduce your reliance on some fertilisers and other inputs. This can help reduce costs over time, depending on your farming system.

Greater resilience to a changing climate
Healthy soils and functioning ecosystems can help your farm better cope with drought, heavy rainfall and other extremes. Building this resilience can give you more options as conditions change.

A healthier farm and community
A productive, resilient farm supports your business, your family and the wider community. For many people, it also provides an opportunity to improve environmental outcomes while continuing to produce food and fibre.