The Reef Rescue Grazing Forum 2013
The Reef Rescue Grazing Forum was held in Mackay on the 13th March at the Mackay Entertainment Centre. Sponsored by the Federal Government’s Reef Rescue program and Meat and Livestock Australia, the Forum brought together graziers, scientists and industry representatives to share ideas and discuss the best ways to improve pastures and increase profits from sustainable grazing.
Running for its second year, the forum covered topics such as beef cattle nutrition, dung beetles, wild dog control, using fire for pasture improvement, giant rats tail grass control, native forestry and carbon farm management.
The Reef Rescue Grazing forum attracted more than 200 participants over the two days including more than 150 graziers involved within the grazing industry in the Mackay Whitsunday region. Feedback from the day was very positive with Rod McFadzen, a grazier from Sarina highlighting the forum as a “great opportunity to discuss coastal grazing issues with other graziers, scientists and industry experts”.
Experts were on hand all day in a display area, so graziers could discuss issues such as; lantana control, re-vegetation techniques on the tropical coast, solar pumps for stock water, dung beetles, the Reef Rescue program, wild dog control and much more.
Workshops were held the following day (March 14th) offering graziers the opportunity to delve further into issues that are impacting their businesses. Alan Laing from DAFF in Ayr discussed Beef Cattle Nutrition followed by a Feed Budgeting workshop led by Jim Fletcher from DAFF Queensland, while John Feehan, the Dung Beetle Expert led a group of 30 participants on a paddock walk near Sarina.
The Reef Rescue Grazing Forums held over the last two years has been a huge success and Reef Catchments endeavours to continue to develop links with an increasing number of clients and stakeholders within the Mackay Whitsunday region.
Reef Catchments Reef Rescue Grazing Leader, Michael Boyd welcomes 150 graziers to the forum.
Meat and Livestock Australia representative, Geoff Niethe during his presentation about the potential and future of the Beef Industry in the Mackay, Whitsunday region
John Feehan, the Dung Beetle Expert let us get up close with his Dung Beetles.
Alan Laing from DAFF in Ayr & Jim Fletcher from DAFF Queensland discuss Beef Cattle Nutrition and Feed Budgeting in a workshop.
Australian Carbon Traders, Ben Keogh explains various Carbon Farm Management Options