EverCrop
EverCrop projects ran from 2008 to 2014 with the objective of increasing the adoption of mixed-farming options that improve the profitability, resilience and resource base of Australian grain growers. The project had a particular focus on the role of perennial options in achieving these objectives.
EverCrop was established by the CRC Future Farm Industries with funding from GRDC as a multidisciplinary research and development project that works with farmers to develop new and more adoptable grazing options to benefit grain growers in the Southern and Western GRDC region. It utilised a successful participatory farming systems research approach that was established through nodes in WA, NSW and SA-Vic, and expanded activities to new agro-ecological zones including the Northern GRDC region.
Outcomes
- Improved mixed farming systems: Evaluating and developing new or modified mixed farming options in key agro-climatic zones that improve profit, diversify enterprises and provide positive environmental impacts through the incorporation of new grazing options including perennials
- Well-developed value propositions for new options – Developing ways to overcome constraints to the adoption of grazing options in cropping-oriented systems by documenting the costs and benefits of particular uses of perennials and other options in mixed farming systems relative to alternatives.
- Greater decision and analysis capacity – Adapt and apply cropping systems analysis tools and approaches that allow farmers and agribusiness to evaluate the role and implementation of perennials.
An overview of EverCrop and a collection of research papers can be found in the special issue of Crop & Pasture Science found here: https://connectsci.au/cp/issue/65/10
The final report for EverCrop phase II is here: https://grdc.com.au/research/reports/report?id=6274
