The challenge
Filling feed shortages
Shrub systems are used by cattle and sheep producers to meet annual feed gaps which typically occur over summer and autumn when there is low rainfall. Feed shortages can be extended or exacerbated during a drought.
Shrub systems, can help meet livestock energy, protein, vitamin and mineral requirements.
Our response
Anameka Saltbush for supplementary forage
We developed Anameka Saltbush, a specially selected drought-tolerant native shrub, that makes an ideal long-term supplementary feed for sheep and cattle.
Anameka has a higher nutritional value than standard saltbushes, greater palatability and can help regenerate the land.
We are working with the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) to demonstrate Anameka systems in new areas to support their adoption. After many years of success in Western Australia (WA), we are driving adoption in new regions of Australia to support farmers and reduce the impacts of drought.
Our research in WA shows that Anameka offers 20 per cent higher economic returns compared to standard saltbushes, particularly in relatively dry years. Advantages include greater wool and meat production and reduced supplementary feed costs.
We have also established partnerships with Tulla Natives, Chatfield’s Tree Nursery, Select Carbon, Meat & Livestock Australia, WA government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Australian Wool Innovation and several producer groups across Australia.
Our progress: taking saltbush east
In 2023, hundreds of thousands of Anameka shrubs were planted in new regions across Australia’s southeast, including New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
We are demonstrating how Anameka can be used in other parts of Australia, as well as providing farmers with the tools and knowledge to realise long-term benefits.
The results
Driving wider adoption across Australia
Our Drought Resilience Mission is building on the success of six million shrubs that have been planted by farmers since Anameka became commercially available.
Anameka Saltbush aims to support farmers through drought by helping to improve soil quality, provide ecosystem functions and improve profitability of degraded land.
Our aim is to see Anameka adopted more widely across Australia in future and are working on a seed-based method for establishment.