Promoting action through programs and learning opportunities near Biloela
Terry and Megan Dunne, Biloela QLD
We run Shawlands, a 3,800ha commercial breeding and backgrounding property near Biloela in Central Queensland. Our herd consists of 400 Droughtmaster-cross breeders grazed primarily narrowleaf ironbark country with native 3P grasses including black spear and forest blue grass.
Traditionally, our main markets have been weaner steers and cull heifers sold to backgrounding operations, along with fat cull cows sold to the local meatworks in Biloela.
We recently purchased an additional 400ha brigalow block, Basshire, 16 kms west of Biloela. With a higher carrying capacity and significant areas of buffel grass compared to Shawlands, Basshire will broaden our marketing options and allow us to carry around 200 weaners for the feedlot market.
To continue to grow our business, we subscribe to FutureBeef’s eBulletin and use that as a prompt to investigate programs or initiatives that might help us meet our business goals. We constantly scan the newsletter for information on pasture improvement and establishment in Brigalow country to assist with planning and improving productivity on our new block. We are also always on the lookout for opportunities to attend field days, courses and webinars to improve our knowledge.
We signed up to the Grazing Resilience and Sustainable Solutions (GRASS) program in 2022 to assess the land condition of Shawlands and to develop a plan to address erosion areas we were concerned about. A recent eBulletin article, “Incentive funding a win for Burnett and Mary grazing communities“, highlighted the success of GRASS and its support for on-ground projects to improve gully and hillslope areas. The article prompted us to revisit our progress in the program and discuss what erosion issues have been successfully dealt with at Shawlands and what areas still need to be remediated. It was also an opportunity to initiate planning for erosion remediation and control on our new property, Basshire, included an eroded dam by-wash caused by recent significant rainfall events.
Through the program, DPI soil rehabilitation specialist John Day and Rockhampton DPI beef extension officer Grayson Jones spent a day inspecting erosion sites across both properties. John developed detailed erosion rehabilitation guides for each site that we can use to plan and carry out the works.
The reports contained information on remediation options, how to do the works, what materials are required, the best time of year to complete the works and the steps needed to ensure full rehabilitation. They also included photos of recommended practices such as whoa boy construction, diversion banks and geofabric drop structures.
Most importantly, having this information has helped us plan erosion remediation and control works on Basshire, while continuing to improve areas on Shawlands.
We value FutureBeef as it prompts us to investigate programs, initiatives and learning opportunities that help us continue improving both our properties and our knowledge.