Case Studies and Narratives
These case studies show how graziers improved their business using information provided through Drought and Climate Adaptation projects.
Using a drone on-farm — a grazier’s experience
David Bone manages a beef cattle property near Mungallala and has used a drone to assist with stock mustering and monitoring for over four years.
David Bone manages a beef cattle property near Mungallala and has used a drone to assist with stock mustering and monitoring for over four years.
Addressing erosion issues in the Southern Gulf
Drew and Annie Hacon of Cubbaroo Station detail the remediation strategies they have used to return their drought-eroded landscape to its former productivity.
Drew and Annie Hacon of Cubbaroo Station detail the remediation strategies they have used to return their drought-eroded landscape to its former productivity.
Recovery, Restoration and Resilience in Mulga and Channel Country
With a landscape prone to erosion, the land managers became involved in a pasture rejuvenation and erosion control project with SQ Landscapes.
With a landscape prone to erosion, the land managers became involved in a pasture rejuvenation and erosion control project with SQ Landscapes.
Weaner nutrition for the win
Gill and Eunice Campbell of ‘Claravale’, are committed to the development of management practices to improve and maintain the condition of both their land and their livestock.
Gill and Eunice Campbell of ‘Claravale’, are committed to the development of management practices to improve and maintain the condition of both their land and their livestock.
Striving for weight gain in the drought
Bindy and Ben Lasker of “Beechwood”, near Teelba applied nutrition learnings from a workshop to reduce further economic risk.
Bindy and Ben Lasker of “Beechwood”, near Teelba applied nutrition learnings from a workshop to reduce further economic risk.
Banking on banks in Morven
A pasture and weeds field day in Morven helped producers keen on learning about soil hydration, control methods and the effect of Pimelea and other common weeds on livestock such as goats.
A pasture and weeds field day in Morven helped producers keen on learning about soil hydration, control methods and the effect of Pimelea and other common weeds on livestock such as goats.
Tackling the tough years: How we manage for seasonal variability
Glen and Cheryl Connolly own Blanncourt Station and Elwell and have land and cattle management and marketing strategies in place to minimise the financial and personal strain of low rainfall years resulting in poor seasons.
Glen and Cheryl Connolly own Blanncourt Station and Elwell and have land and cattle management and marketing strategies in place to minimise the financial and personal strain of low rainfall years resulting in poor seasons.
Elements of a successful paddock walk
Learn how paddock walks can be fun, interactive ways of bringing producers together to discuss all topics relevant to their enterprise management, particularly pasture and nutrition.
Learn how paddock walks can be fun, interactive ways of bringing producers together to discuss all topics relevant to their enterprise management, particularly pasture and nutrition.
Early weaning and mitigating risk in dry times
In this case study, Mark and Carolyn Redgen trialled early weaning that saw multiple benefits to their triple bottom line.
In this case study, Mark and Carolyn Redgen trialled early weaning that saw multiple benefits to their triple bottom line.
Phosphorus supplementation at Watson River
In this case study, the Quartermaine family of Watson River, near Weipa in Far North Queensland, discuss the benefits they have seen since starting to feed phosphorus during the wet season, nearly a decade ago.
In this case study, the Quartermaine family of Watson River, near Weipa in Far North Queensland, discuss the benefits they have seen since starting to feed phosphorus during the wet season, nearly a decade ago.
Northern P roadshow
The majority of Gulf beef businesses are in phosphorus (P) deficient country. When implemented, phosphorus supplementation greatly improves the herd performance and is a fundamental feature of resilient livestock businesses.
The majority of Gulf beef businesses are in phosphorus (P) deficient country. When implemented, phosphorus supplementation greatly improves the herd performance and is a fundamental feature of resilient livestock businesses.
Eldorado Station — Prickly acacia treatment and operational changes
David and Helen Ogg of Eldorado Station near Hughenden, have been treating prickly acacia on Eldorado for thirty years and continue to learn and improve techniques.
David and Helen Ogg of Eldorado Station near Hughenden, have been treating prickly acacia on Eldorado for thirty years and continue to learn and improve techniques.
Bendemeer — Prickly acacia treatment and wet season spelling
Climatic variability at Bendemeer has presented a number of challenges to the operation a livestock business, including significant droughts and flooding rains resulting in significant losses of stock and top soil.
Climatic variability at Bendemeer has presented a number of challenges to the operation a livestock business, including significant droughts and flooding rains resulting in significant losses of stock and top soil.
Evening weaner webinars reach more producers
Drought conditions forced many beef producers to consider wearing earlier than usual in late in 2019 so producers requested an informative early weaning webinar that was delivered.
Drought conditions forced many beef producers to consider wearing earlier than usual in late in 2019 so producers requested an informative early weaning webinar that was delivered.
Mulga – your stock, your supplement – with Clynt Johnstone
Clynt changed his supplement ration to improve cost effectiveness and productivity using the knowledge and networks he gained from attending a GrazingFutures workshop.
Clynt changed his supplement ration to improve cost effectiveness and productivity using the knowledge and networks he gained from attending a GrazingFutures workshop.
Yaralla and Gamarren — NIRS and phosphorus testing, a quality result
Ben McKenzie implemented NIRS and phosphorus testing in his herd which improved the economics and effectiveness of his supplementary feeding program.
Ben McKenzie implemented NIRS and phosphorus testing in his herd which improved the economics and effectiveness of his supplementary feeding program.
Amber Station
Dan and Georgia Slaney of Amber Station share their management plans, including an economic analysis of the expected benefits supplementing breeders with phosphorus and further infrastructure development of their station.
Dan and Georgia Slaney of Amber Station share their management plans, including an economic analysis of the expected benefits supplementing breeders with phosphorus and further infrastructure development of their station.
Spreader banks for water retention with Glenn Landsberg
After attending a water ponding and spreader bank field day, Glenn Landsberg of “Sunset”, Charleville, implemented five new spreader banks different in design to his usual practice.
After attending a water ponding and spreader bank field day, Glenn Landsberg of “Sunset”, Charleville, implemented five new spreader banks different in design to his usual practice.
Local graziers use economics to assist business planning
Richard Judd used economic analyses to determine his best options after attending a DCAP workshop on maximising returns from high quality forages in central Queensland.
Richard Judd used economic analyses to determine his best options after attending a DCAP workshop on maximising returns from high quality forages in central Queensland.
Lara Downs Station
Colin Burnett completed a Nuffield Scholarship (How to survive and prosper in the North West Queensland beef industry) in 2019 and discusses the importance of maintaining land, herd, people and finance banks.
Colin Burnett completed a Nuffield Scholarship (How to survive and prosper in the North West Queensland beef industry) in 2019 and discusses the importance of maintaining land, herd, people and finance banks.
“Hope is not a plan” – with Russell and Donna Lethbridge
Russell and Donna Lethbridge of Werrington Station made a number of management practices changes over the years that increased business productivity and decreased the breeder mortality rate from 5% to 0.5%.
Russell and Donna Lethbridge of Werrington Station made a number of management practices changes over the years that increased business productivity and decreased the breeder mortality rate from 5% to 0.5%.
Capturing grasshopper impacts across northern and north-west Queensland following wet season rain
Producers were surveyed to measure grasshopper impacts such as pasture damage and economic loss across northern and north-west Queensland following wet season rain.
Producers were surveyed to measure grasshopper impacts such as pasture damage and economic loss across northern and north-west Queensland following wet season rain.
What we now know in preparation for the next drought
This case study features the feedback provided by sheep producers located in the north, central-west and south-west regions of Queensland.
This case study features the feedback provided by sheep producers located in the north, central-west and south-west regions of Queensland.
Productivity and profitability gains through efficient herd management with Glen and Cheryl Connolly of 'Blanncourt Station'
The Connolly family improved productivity and profitability by implementing lighter stocking rates, wet season spelling, feeding and/or supplementation programs, cross breeding and pasture improvement.
The Connolly family improved productivity and profitability by implementing lighter stocking rates, wet season spelling, feeding and/or supplementation programs, cross breeding and pasture improvement.
Narratives
Farming from your phone — AgTech collaboration
ConnectAg brought together a range of presenters to provide producers with a workshop to consider technology suitable for their enterprises. Most participants indicated they intended to implement changes to their business because of what they had learned at the workshops. Read more (PDF)
ConnectAg brought together a range of presenters to provide producers with a workshop to consider technology suitable for their enterprises. Most participants indicated they intended to implement changes to their business because of what they had learned at the workshops. Read more (PDF)
Pots of hope: Assessing pasture recovery potential through soil seed bank viability testing
An impact of long-term dry conditions is the potentially reduced rate of pasture recovery, when growing conditions return. A common question from livestock producers across the central west region during 2020 was, “My paddocks look bare of Mitchell grass tussocks. Is there sufficient seed in the landscape to germinate when rain returns?”Read more…
An impact of long-term dry conditions is the potentially reduced rate of pasture recovery, when growing conditions return. A common question from livestock producers across the central west region during 2020 was, “My paddocks look bare of Mitchell grass tussocks. Is there sufficient seed in the landscape to germinate when rain returns?”Read more…
Maps and apps at Mitchell
Members of the Mitchell Landcare group hosted and attended two on-property Maps and apps events in the Mitchell region in south west Queensland. Producers heard about advantages of large wall maps for planning infrastructure, as well functions of mobile map apps that can be used for providing direction, location and overlays of vegetation management codes.Read more (PDF)…
Members of the Mitchell Landcare group hosted and attended two on-property Maps and apps events in the Mitchell region in south west Queensland. Producers heard about advantages of large wall maps for planning infrastructure, as well functions of mobile map apps that can be used for providing direction, location and overlays of vegetation management codes.Read more (PDF)…
North West Queensland educational road trip
The opportunity for young extension staff to work with Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) other regional extension teams is incredibly valuable and an investment in their future.Read more (PDF)…
The opportunity for young extension staff to work with Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) other regional extension teams is incredibly valuable and an investment in their future.Read more (PDF)…
Bet on your books
Record keeping is a job most of us dislike, dodge and don’t know if we’re doing well. However, good records are critical to managing a grazing business well, especially in variable seasons.Read more (PDF)…
Record keeping is a job most of us dislike, dodge and don’t know if we’re doing well. However, good records are critical to managing a grazing business well, especially in variable seasons.Read more (PDF)…
Collaboration goes both ways for Rural Financial Counselling Services and DAF
The Rural Financial Counselling Service has proved to be a crucial and active partner for the GrazingFutures project to support information delivery for graziers across Western Queensland. Read more (PDF)…
The Rural Financial Counselling Service has proved to be a crucial and active partner for the GrazingFutures project to support information delivery for graziers across Western Queensland. Read more (PDF)…
Going the distance: using technology to get connected
Mobile ZOOM ROOM technology has helped overcome distance, break down barriers and reduce project costs by enabling key industry presenters to join workshops in remote communities. Read more (PDF)…
Mobile ZOOM ROOM technology has helped overcome distance, break down barriers and reduce project costs by enabling key industry presenters to join workshops in remote communities. Read more (PDF)…
ReproScan technology to boost breeder performance and profit
Pregnancy testing females on-site allows beef producers to make immediate and informed decisions about the future management of their herd. In August 2020, the Mount Surprise Producer Innovation Hub participated in a two-day training workshop where they learnt to use the ReproScan unit and how to use the results of pregnancy testing to benefit their beef businesses. Read more (PDF)…
Pregnancy testing females on-site allows beef producers to make immediate and informed decisions about the future management of their herd. In August 2020, the Mount Surprise Producer Innovation Hub participated in a two-day training workshop where they learnt to use the ReproScan unit and how to use the results of pregnancy testing to benefit their beef businesses. Read more (PDF)…
Learning from hard times—surviving and thriving in North West Queensland
During the devastating flood event of 2019, it became apparent to beef producers and extension staff alike, that many businesses had inaccurate herd and financial records. Created through collaboration with industry and service agencies, the Surviving and Thriving in the Grazing Game workshops have proven to be very popular, resulting in five additional workshops scheduled in 2021. Read more (PDF)…
During the devastating flood event of 2019, it became apparent to beef producers and extension staff alike, that many businesses had inaccurate herd and financial records. Created through collaboration with industry and service agencies, the Surviving and Thriving in the Grazing Game workshops have proven to be very popular, resulting in five additional workshops scheduled in 2021. Read more (PDF)…
Continuity yields results – a decade of relationship building sees landscape level results
Ten years of extension support with Eddie Maxwell, a beef producer on a family business in the McKinlay Shire, has seen reduction in stock numbers by approximately 1,000 adult equivalents, cull cows turned off earlier and recognising the value of buying good quality hay for their weaning program. Learn about the importance of developing rapport between stakeholders and organisations. Read more…
Ten years of extension support with Eddie Maxwell, a beef producer on a family business in the McKinlay Shire, has seen reduction in stock numbers by approximately 1,000 adult equivalents, cull cows turned off earlier and recognising the value of buying good quality hay for their weaning program. Learn about the importance of developing rapport between stakeholders and organisations. Read more…
Getting a better handle on phosphorus deficiency
Phosphorus is essential for the growth of cattle and for lactating cows, requiring 1g P for every litre of milk produced. Read how the GrazingFutures team helped beef producers in north-west Queensland to evaluate the level of phosphorus deficiency of the breeders in their herd. Read more…
Phosphorus is essential for the growth of cattle and for lactating cows, requiring 1g P for every litre of milk produced. Read how the GrazingFutures team helped beef producers in north-west Queensland to evaluate the level of phosphorus deficiency of the breeders in their herd. Read more…
Collaboration yields results
When Anne Alison started with Southern Gulf Natural Resource Management in 2017, there was very little collaboration between agencies in north-west Queensland. In this narrative, Anne describes how the GrazingFutures project has enabled a united front between not only Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Southern Gulf NRM, but also Queensland Rural Industry Development Authority, McKinlay Shire Council, Primary Healthcare Network and many other community organisations. Read more…
When Anne Alison started with Southern Gulf Natural Resource Management in 2017, there was very little collaboration between agencies in north-west Queensland. In this narrative, Anne describes how the GrazingFutures project has enabled a united front between not only Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Southern Gulf NRM, but also Queensland Rural Industry Development Authority, McKinlay Shire Council, Primary Healthcare Network and many other community organisations. Read more…
Slow start to Mitchell grass
A vast area of north-west Queensland, including the northern Mitchell Grass Downs, extending into the Gulf, was damaged after a monsoon trough flooded the area in February 2019.
Local Department of Agriculture and Fisheries pasture scientists and extension staff reviewed Mitchell grass growth requirements and made some recommendations. Read more…
Wet season spelling in the Northern Gulf — A method for restoring degraded paddocks and increasing animal productivity
Wet season spelling is the practice of removing cattle from a paddock during the growing season to manage land more sustainably. The GrazingFutures Team partners with the E-Beef project to discuss the implementation of wet season spelling demonstration sites including how the results will be monitored over the coming years. Read more in the Wet season spelling narrative (PDF, 1.5 MB).
Collaborating with Biosecurity Queensland
GrazingFutures project members and Biosecurity Queensland staff based at Longreach have been collaborating to improve efficiencies in livestock inspections, producer enquiries and disease monitoring systems. Read this case study to find out how the collaboration is conducted in north-west Queensland: Collaborating with Biosecurity Queensland (PDF, 500 KB).
GrazingFutures project members and Biosecurity Queensland staff based at Longreach have been collaborating to improve efficiencies in livestock inspections, producer enquiries and disease monitoring systems. Read this case study to find out how the collaboration is conducted in north-west Queensland: Collaborating with Biosecurity Queensland (PDF, 500 KB).
GrazingFutures event summaries
Mapping a plan with Queensland Globe and FORAGE in Quilpie
A mapping workshop was held to introduce landholders to the Queensland Government’s planning and mapping programs Queensland Globe and FORAGE. Nine local producers attended the workshop and 33% indicated that they would be making a change to their business as a result of what they learnt that day. Read more.
Introductory Excel for Grazing Workshops
Microsoft Excel has broad and valuable application for agricultural businesses, however graziers may not have had formal training or exposure to confidently use it in their business management. Read why more than 140 people attended this workshop with more than half having made changes to their business management and data recording. Read more.
Basalt Bash and Beauty
Basalt Bash & Beauty is an event for rural and remote women, bringing them together to strengthen social cohesion, reduce the sense of isolation, encourage conversations on key issues and common themes, and improve mental health and wellbeing. Over the years the event has grown and evolved, with more women coming along to share their stories, experiences and challenges of life in far North Queensland. Read more about the Basalt Bash and Beauty case study (PDF, 1 MB).
Interstate collaboration at the Calf Loss Forum at McKinlay
Producers, industry and interstate government departments came together to discuss recent research and practical prevention strategies of calf loss on the downs near McKinlay on 8 October. Read more….
Begonia beef business analysis
Tim Moravek and Daisy-May Denny (DAF Agricultural Economists), presented the “Profitable Decision Making” workshop at the Begonia Sports Club. Workshop attendees were taken through a process of how to economically analyse their current operation and were shown how to test available options to improve profitability. Read more….
Technology for a better farm
GrazingFutures held a ‘Technology for a better farm’ field day 27 July 2019 showcasing one of the project’s walk over weigh (WOW) systems in use in western Queensland. The field day was held at ‘Echo Hills’, Roma where the technology has been in use since October 2018 with the assistance of livestock managers Anna and Anthony Dunn. Read more….
Women of wealth
Quilpie producer Annabel Tully of ‘Bunginderry’ was interested in establishing a dedicated producer business group for her region to streamline business management and office efficiency to prepare for when the dry returns. Establishing a dedicated group of local producers also meant support, learning off each other and sharing their experiences – both good and bad. Read more about the Women of wealth (PDF, 523 KB).
Quilpie producer Annabel Tully of ‘Bunginderry’ was interested in establishing a dedicated producer business group for her region to streamline business management and office efficiency to prepare for when the dry returns. Establishing a dedicated group of local producers also meant support, learning off each other and sharing their experiences – both good and bad. Read more about the Women of wealth (PDF, 523 KB).
North Queensland takes on Evoke Ag 2020
Evoke Ag, the premier ag-tech conference for Australasia, is an annual event where start up and established companies display their latest tech offerings and producers, researchers and agricultural professionals alike discuss the issues facing the industry and what the future holds. To gain exposure to presenters and technology that remote Australia has little access to, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries facilitated the partial funding of Evoke Ag attendance for seven producers through the Smart Farms Partnership funded E-beef project, led by Southern Gulf NRM. Read the attendees’ expectations, immediate impressions, ideas for implementation and perceived community benefits in this GrazingFutures narrative: North Queensland takes on Evoke Ag 2020 (PDF, 1 MB)…
Evoke Ag, the premier ag-tech conference for Australasia, is an annual event where start up and established companies display their latest tech offerings and producers, researchers and agricultural professionals alike discuss the issues facing the industry and what the future holds. To gain exposure to presenters and technology that remote Australia has little access to, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries facilitated the partial funding of Evoke Ag attendance for seven producers through the Smart Farms Partnership funded E-beef project, led by Southern Gulf NRM. Read the attendees’ expectations, immediate impressions, ideas for implementation and perceived community benefits in this GrazingFutures narrative: North Queensland takes on Evoke Ag 2020 (PDF, 1 MB)…
Technology highlighted at the 2020 Westech Steer Challenge
The 2020 Westech Steer Challenge will be a step above the usual steer challenge as new technologies are being used to capture data and inform decision-making. All Challenge steers will pass over a walk over weigh unit (donated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) daily, while GPS tracking tags (donated by IDS G Farm) will monitor steer activity and grazing patterns. Read more…
The 2020 Westech Steer Challenge will be a step above the usual steer challenge as new technologies are being used to capture data and inform decision-making. All Challenge steers will pass over a walk over weigh unit (donated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) daily, while GPS tracking tags (donated by IDS G Farm) will monitor steer activity and grazing patterns. Read more…
What are my options? — Breedcow and Dynama workshop, Julia Creek
Breedcow and Dynama is a herd budgeting software package designed to be used to plan, evaluate and improve the profitability of extensive beef cattle enterprises by allowing users to model different scenarios for their cattle enterprise. GrazingFutures extension staff, economist Fred Chudleigh and nutritionist Dr. Maree Bowen, collaborated with Southern Gulf NRM and producers to deliver a Breedcow and Dynama workshop to five grazing businesses near Julia Creek. Click here to read the Breedcow Dynama (PDF, 120 KB).
Breedcow and Dynama is a herd budgeting software package designed to be used to plan, evaluate and improve the profitability of extensive beef cattle enterprises by allowing users to model different scenarios for their cattle enterprise. GrazingFutures extension staff, economist Fred Chudleigh and nutritionist Dr. Maree Bowen, collaborated with Southern Gulf NRM and producers to deliver a Breedcow and Dynama workshop to five grazing businesses near Julia Creek. Click here to read the Breedcow Dynama (PDF, 120 KB).
Last updated: 29 July 2022
