Northern Gulf beef production systems – Preparing for, responding to, and recovering from drought

Helping grazing businesses become more profitable and drought resilient is the aim of a QDAF project funded by the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program.  Economic analyses are being conducted for a number of regions across Queensland.  A range of management strategies and technologies aimed at making grazing businesses more profitable and drought resilient are being assessed.  In addition, the project is examining options in the drought response and recovery phases.  A report summarising results for the Northern Gulf (PDF, 4.5 MB) is now available for download.  In this region assessment of alternative beef production strategies included:

• addressing a decline in land condition through a reduction in stocking rates and systematic wet season spelling;
• adequate wet season phosphorus supplements for all cattle;
• stylos, leucaena, production feeding, silage, agistment and changing age of turnoff for steers; and
• better genetics for fertility, home-bred bulls, reducing foetal/calf loss, and feeding first calf heifers for breeders.

Other low cost strategies to improve drought resilience, as well as drought response and drought recovery strategies, were also assessed.  To find out more, click here.