- Australia has launched a three-year, AUD3 million Green Sheep Project to help sheep producers improve sustainability, climate resilience, and market access through practical, data-driven tools.
- The project is a collaborative, whole-of-sector effort involving producers, processors, and industry bodies, led by Sheep Producers Australia and supported by government and partner organisations.
- Producers will gain access to user-friendly tools for tracking environmental performance, managing grazing and pastures, monitoring natural capital, and making data-guided decisions.
The Australian government announced the launch of the Green Sheep Project at Tasmania’s Agfest field day on May 7.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to work closely with farmers and producers to strengthen climate resilience ofAustralian agriculture.
“The ability to adapt to climate change is becoming an essential part of farming, which is why we’re investing in programs that provide practical tools and support to our farmers and producers,” said Julie Collins, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The three-year project specifically targets the sheep sector and is positioned as a practical, producer-focused response to growing environmental, productivity and market pressures.
It was designed to help sheep producers increase, measure and actively manage their environmental sustainability.
Tt aims to help producers improve productivity while improving on-farm environmental credentials as sustainability expectations increasingly influence domestic supply chains and export markets.
Ultimately, the project is intended to safeguard and strengthen Australia’s access to key markets over the long term.
“The Green Sheep Project will support sheep producers to boost on-farm sustainability and productivity, which will help strengthen our food security and ensure Australia continues to remain competitive on the global stage,” said Collins.
The project will be led by Sheep Producers Australia, the industry body representing around 20,000 sheep meat producers across the country.
The Green Sheep Project was first announced by Sheep Producers Australia in October 2025.
CEO Bonnie Skinner said the project supported important capacity building for industry success in the long-term.
“This project is an investment in our world-leading industry. Equipping sheep producers with the skills and knowledge to support climate-smart practices and the uptake of practical tools to that verify their sustainability credentials to their customers.”
Sustainability Policy Advisor Carolyn Cameron added that it was important for the entire industry to respond to current challenges while positioning itself for future opportunities.
“What makes the Green Sheep Project unique is the whole-of-sector approach – from producers to processors and industry bodies all at the same table. That level of collaboration demonstrates just how important this work is for the future of our industry.”
Project details
Participating producers will receive access to simple, practical tools tailored to day-to-day farm decision-making.
These tools will support farmers to track environmental performance, improve grazing and pasture management, monitor and value natural capital, and use data to guide management choices.
The emphasis would be on usability and relevance, enabling producers to integrate sustainability measurement into their existing farm systems without excessive complexity or cost.
Pilot programs will be delivered through Natural Resource Management and Landcare partner organisations, with initial rollouts planned in Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
These pilots will test and refine tools, methods and processes that can later be scaled up and adopted by sheep producers nationwide.
Demonstrations and hands-on workshops will form a core part of the program, equipping farmers with practical skills, technical knowledge and applied advice that can be implemented on-farm.