PROJECT NAME: Demonstrating productive, regenerative Burdekin grazing practices
Project runs from 20 May, 2020 — 28 February, 2025
Natures Equity principal Dick Richardson, left, looks at the roots of a pasture grass with (from left) Dartmoor Station grazier Cliff Lord, Glencoe Station grazier Bob Harris and NQ Dry Tropics Grazing Field Officer Brad Martin.
Demonstrating productive, regenerative Burdekin grazing practices
Graziers attended an RCS course presented by George Stacey.
This project aims to assist the Collinsville Region Regenerative Grazier Network to develop and progress their regenerative grazing practices to the next level.
It’s working with a demonstration group of three graziers in the Collinsville region of the Burdekin catchment, to support the development and improvement of their regenerative practices, suiting the application of the principles to the Burdekin Dry Tropics.
The project aims to demonstrate that regenerative grazing practices are as good as, or better than, traditional set stocking practices across a range of performance measures, while maintaining or improving land condition.
Technical consultant Dick Richardson, principal of Natures Equity, is providing one-on-one support to the graziers.
The regenerative grazier network held two grazing forums this year. The first was in September at the Bowen PCYC with RCS advisor George Stacey. Graziers discussed implementing grazing systems based on animal and landscape processes.
Topics explored included:
- Profit and herd performance and how grazing management impacts them.
- Business and herd performance data related to the producer demonstration site project properties.
- A risk management approach to preparing for drought.
A second forum, Grazing Management with Dick Richardson, was held at Glencoe Station, Bowen, in October.
Graziers discussed implementation considerations of a Grazing Naturally program. Discussion points included decision point and planning requirements for specific paddocks and a specific mob of stock.
PROJECT NAME: Cooperative, integrated weed management in the BBB catchment
Project runs from 25 May, 2020 — 28 February, 2023
Cooperative, integrated weed management in the BBB
Principal Scientist at the Queensland Government Tropical Weeds Research Centre Wayne Vogler demonstrating correct spray techniques in the field during the Pests and Disease Innovation Field Day at the Collinsville Pony Club in November.
This Producer Demonstration Site aims to showcase a new, cooperative and integrated approach to identify best practice management of the highest economic priority weeds in the Bowen, Broken and Bogie River catchments (BBB).
The integrated priority weed management group, centred around Collinsville and Bowen is hosting weed management trials on six grazing properties.
The group is tackling the weeds of most importance in their area, exploring and, where practical, implementing, a suite of options, including best-practice application of biological, mechanical, and chemical controls.
Identified priority weeds are Lantana (Lantana camara), Rubbervine (Cryptostegia grandiflora), Prickly acacia (Vachellia nilotica), Belly ache bush (Jatropha gossypifolia), Chinese apple (Ziziphus mauritiana).
The properties are measuring and comparing relative costs of previous control and maintenance measures with the new practices; the areas of weeds treated and the comparative success rates for the new practices; and the number of new cooperative actions with neighbours and other land managers.
The PDS held a Pests and Disease Innovation Field Day at the Collinsville Pony Club on 9 November. Attendees heard from a range of speakers on a variety of topics including:
- Wayne Vogler, DAF Tropical Weeds Centre, Charters Towers, providing an update on the centre’s latest research;
- Simon Wiggins, Desert Channels Group, discussing integrated woody weed management techniques;
- Melissa Hayes, Whitsunday Regional Council, providing an update on the council’s weed control programs and rebate scheme;
- Ellisa Davis, DAF Bowen, providing information about symptoms, pathways for infection and control measures from African Swine Fever, Lumpy Skin Disease, and Foot and Mouth Disease.
NQ Dry Tropics manages two Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Producer Demonstration Sites in the BBB, near Bowen and Collinsville.
ROD