Ecoregion: High country
Hectare: (700ha)
Rainfall: < 500mm/year
EOV Monitoring: 2022–2025
Aims of the Project
This South Island High Country Beef & Sheep Farmjoined the EOV programme in 2022 with the aim of improving ecosystem health, increasing drought resilience, and strengthening the overall function of the farm system by applying regenerative principles—particularly through changes to grazing management.
The Challenge
With low annual rainfall and increasing climate pressure, they needed a management approach that could build resilience and improve ecological health. The farm faced a major test in 2024, when the region experienced the worst drought in 80 years.
The Solution
Beginning in 2022, the farm adopted key regenerative grazing changes:
- Transition to larger mob sizes
- Longer pasture recovery periods
These changes were guided by EOV monitoring, which showed how grazing decisions were influencing ecosystem function and biological indicators.
Figure 2: Farm Ecosystem Function scores 2022-2025
Results of the Project
1. Strong gains in ecosystem health—even during drought
EHI (Ecological Health Index) scores from 2022 to 2025 show immediate improvements after changes were implemented.
Despite the severe 2024 drought, it still looked better than others in the region, and the farm recovered well into 2025.
2. All ecosystem functions trending upward
Across Water Cycle, Mineral Cycle, Energy Flow and Community Dynamics, each function moved closer to potential since monitoring began—despite a temporary drought-related dip in 2024.
The Mineral Cycle and Energy Flow showed the most significant improvements.
3. Biological indicators point to higher energy and healthier pasture
The Biological Indicators supporting these shifts in Ecosystem Functions are shown in the graph in figure 3 below. Notable improvements were seen in:
- Live Canopy Abundance (far left)
- vigour and diversity of Cool Season Grasses (third from left)
- Forbs and Legumes (fourth from left)
- reduction in Bare Soil (fourth from right)
These improvements reflect more cover, improved species health, and a stronger, more resilient system.
4. More energy in the system and impressive recovery
By managing stock to maintain higher cover, Farm B increased photosynthetic activity and reduced bare soil—leading to better ecosystem performance.
The EHI lift from 2022 to 2023 corresponds to increased cover; the drop in 2024 reflects cover loss during drought.
Even so, the farm still outperformed regional conditions and showed a strong recovery in 2025 due to the additional energy and resilience built into the system.
Figure 3: Farm Biological Indicator scores 2022-2025
Key Insight: Principles Over Practices
The results reinforce national trends: the biggest improvements in EHI come from increasing forage cover and reducing bare soil.
Tools like mob grazing and longer recovery periods can support this, but the real driver of long-term success is making decisions based on principles such as:
- maximising photosynthesis
- keeping ground covered
- supporting species vigour and diversity
These principles allow each farmer to adapt practices to their own context and consistently move their system toward its full potential.
Hugh Jellie BVSc MRCVS
Master Field Professional
Master Verifier
Managing Director
Ata Regenerative
