Join local grazier, Beau Surawski, as he leads us through the day with pasture experts Ross Newman and Stuart Buck discussing solutions for local issues such as management of Indian couch, species selection for late season rainfall and opportunities to maximise production through winter. In the afternoon, internationally accredited consultant Tony Hill will introduce Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) – a practical soil and landscape assessment tool that tracks biodiversity, soil health and ecosystem functions on your property.

Topics include:

• Research and practical options from pasture trials
• Indian couch management options
• Multispecies solutions for local rainfall trends and seasonal opportunities
• Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) – an internationally recognised framework that allows you to demonstrate your environmental credentials by tracking improvements in productivity and profitability on your property.

Funding Opportunities

Learn about a 12-month funding program available exclusively to 20 Lower Dawson Graziers. The program provides landholders with an Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) and funding to encourage ecological improvements, all while collecting regional data to support the Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association (DCCA) to attract more investment for local agriculture and environment. Intrigued? Be sure to submit an expression of interest at the workshop.

Guest Speakers:

Ross Newman, CQ Pasture Agronomist

Ross Newman is a private pasture agronomist based in Rockhampton on his family property. His working life has taken him to all mainland states of Australia and internationally to understand grazing production systems and how plant species can be adapted into differing growing environments.

Stuart Buck, Senior Agronomist, Sown Pastures, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Stuart is a pasture agronomist with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. He has worked in central Queensland for almost 30 years where he has undertaken crop and pasture agronomy roles for private business and government. He currently leads sown pasture research, development and extension activities across the Fitzroy region and works with graziers and associated industry to improve the productivity and profitability of beef businesses.

Tony Hill, Executive Chair, Australian Holistic Management Cooperative

Tony Hill is a joint founder of the Australian Holistic Management Co-operative, that delivers EOV in Australia, and continues as a director. He has been accredited by the worldwide Savory Institute as an EOV Master Verifier. He has been conducting EOV monitoring around Australia and in New Zealand, and has been playing a central role in training new EOV monitors and verifiers. He is an accredited educator in Holistic Management, and has was appointed by NSW TAFE as a teacher of their Holistic Management Diploma in 2017. He has delivered multiple Holistic Management and EOV training sessions around Australia and in New Zealand. In previous roles, he has been an Australian Government employee for 20 years up to 2000 and subsequently had a successful consulting business that provided advice on establishing major collaborative scientific research projects. Has a strong understanding of Internet technology and was president of the Internet Society of Australia for a decade up to 2011. He has been appointed by Southern Cross University as a mentor for farmers as part of their Regenerative Agriculture Mentor Program – RAMP. Also, he has been appointed to the Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Date & Venue – 

• 9 March – Hotel Theodore

Time:

• 8:45am (Doors open at 8:30am) – 3pm

Special Session: Ross Newman will be hosting a species identification session at the Theodore Session, 9 March, 3:30pm to 4:30pm. All welcome.

Cost: Free. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

For more information or assistance with event bookings contact Charisse on 0437 490 514.