This case study describes a research project investigating opportunities to improve old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia Lindl.) for small ruminants, through simple plant selection. At the time of writing, much of this work had not yet been published in the scientific literature. The aim of this case study is to provide an overview of the processes, research iterations and achievements, leading to the release of the first commercial cultivar. Dryland salinity is a major constraint to crop and livestock production in southern Australia. After many decades of on-farm research with large numbers of species, old man saltbush had become the leading species to improve profitability of saline land in low to medium rainfall areas; however feeding value was a major constraint. Whole-farm economic modelling suggested that the plant's energy value was the key objective to improve. A collection of germplasm from across the native range in Australia was conducted and genotypes from 27 populations and 2 subspecies were compared at 3 research sites. A number of methodological constraints were identified and overcome to aid plant selection. Old man saltbush in vivo digestibility standards were developed using metabolism crates and these were combined with laboratory analyses to develop a near infrared spectroscopy prediction tool. This has allowed rapid and cost effective screening of large numbers of shrubs. In a novel approach to plant genetic improvement, sheep were used during all stages of the project to identify plants that are consistently preferred. Over 8 years of on-farm experiments, the team identified a cohort of old man saltbush genotypes with 20% higher organic matter digestibility, greater acceptability to sheep and 8 times more edible biomass production, when compared with the mean of the collection. In 2015, the first clonal cultivar was commercialised (cv. Anameka). There are several other clonal cultivars that are ready for release if Anameka does not perform across niches and work continues to develop a high-value seed line. Whole-farm economic analysis suggests that Anameka can double the profitability of saltbush plantations on farms. If improved profitability results in greater rates of adoption, the environmental health of agricultural landscapes in southern Australia will be improved.