Steakholder spotlight: Landcare Agriculture

Caption: Angela Hammond, Landcare Ag Program Manager.

Landcare Australia works with a wide range of stakeholders to provide funding and in‑kind support for landcare groups and projects across the country. The Landcare Agriculture (Landcare Ag) program – delivered by Landcare Australia – partners with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), producer groups, Landcare networks, advisors and researchers to test practical sustainability initiatives in beef production systems.

Angela Hammond, Landcare Ag Program Manager, emphasised the importance of working directly with producers and their advisors to drive improvements in biodiversity, soil health, emissions management and natural capital through pilot programs, extension activities and on‑farm demonstration trials.

“Being out in the field, interacting face‑to‑face with producers, is key to our work. Producers need to know that we’re engaged and at the coalface with them; otherwise, they can think we’re just coming in and telling them what to do,” Angela said.

“We work really hard to build trust so we can stand alongside producers – listening, speaking their language and working with them, not over the top of them.”

Productivity, profitability and sustainability intertwined

For Landcare Ag, sustainability is not a separate concept from productivity and profitability – each reinforces the other.

“Sustainability helps build productivity and profitability, and understanding how these elements interact is important in our conversations with producers,” she said.

Landcare Ag programs apply science‑led, data‑driven tools from organisations such as Accounting for Nature – to measure, verify, and report the condition of environmental assets – and Ruminati, which supports the measurement and management of  greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.

“This evidence-based approach is critical to helping producers understand sustainability outcomes with confidence,” Angela said.

Angela noted that Landcare Ag’s long history in environmental action and its strong sustainability focus align closely with the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF), particularly the Environmental Stewardship priorities.

“Having that link to the ABSF ensures Landcare Ag is connected with national beef industry standards. It strengthens collaboration and trust across the broader beef industry and creates opportunities for meaningful partnerships.”

Sustainability is embedded in the design and delivery of all Landcare Ag programs.

“All our initiatives focus on improving natural capital – soil, water, biodiversity – alongside productivity,” Angela said.

“We deliver programs in real production systems through on‑farm demonstration trials and pilot projects, ensuring local relevance and producer co‑design to maximise positive impact.”

Biodiversity in Action  

One current example delivering on-the-ground data and insights is the Biodiversity in Action project.

The project was developed to support the industry to take practical next steps towards improving biodiversity outcomes within production systems.

“When we reference opportunities, we’re talking about better ways to manage land to enhance biodiversity within productive landscapes,” Angela explained.

While biodiversity outcomes can support access to emerging market opportunities, Angela said this was not the primary focus of the project.

“The market opportunities are the icing on the cake. The cake is managing land in a way that enhances biodiversity in that particular system.”

“For Landcare Ag, biodiversity starts below the ground – in the soil – and extends to trees, flora, fauna. Helping producers enhance their biodiversity is central to our mission.”

The level of interest in the project exceeded expectations, with Landcare Ag receiving 61 expressions of interest from across Australia’s diverse agricultural landscapes.

“We were only expecting about 15 applicants, so receiving 61 really shows the appetite in agriculture to better understand and manage biodiversity,” Angela said.

Following assessment, 11 projects were approved across five states and territories, spanning a wide range of grazing systems - from rangelands in Far Northern Queensland and WA to southern grazing systems in Tasmania, Vic and NSW.”

The Biodiversity in Action project brings together producers, advisors, scientists and Traditional Owners to share data and insights that will help inform regional and national sustainability strategies into the future. 

If you would like to find out more about Landcare Ag or the Biodiversity in Action project, head to the Landcare Australia website or contact Angela on:

e: ang.hammond@landcareaustralia.com.au OR p: 0402921929