Argyle Beef Herd Management Project

Argyle Beef Herd Management Project is a beef cattle herd management project located near Goulburn in the Southern Tablelands region of New South Wales. Registered in March 2022, the project operates on grazing land approximately 5km south-east of the Goulburn township. The surrounding region is a major agricultural hub, primarily utilized for sheep and cattle grazing, and is characterized by a cool temperate climate with reliable but variable rainfall and soils ranging from sedimentary clays to loams.

The project operates under the Beef Cattle Herd Management methodology, which focuses on reducing the emissions intensity of beef production, specifically the amount of methane and nitrous oxide emitted per kilogram of liveweight produced. Rather than simply destocking, this method credits farmers for efficiency gains. To achieve this, the proponent, Argyle Foods Pastoral, implements strategies such as improving herd genetics, optimizing pasture quality to accelerate weight gain, and reducing the average age of the herd by turning off cattle at a younger age.

Argyle Foods Pastoral is a vertically integrated business that manages the supply chain from paddock to plate, exporting branded beef and lamb products. This project is part of a broader sustainability strategy by the company, which also includes soil carbon and environmental planting projects, with the ultimate goal of producing certified carbon-neutral meat without relying on external offsets.