2019 Cape York Grazing Forum

Words Robyn May | Photo Jessie Price-Decle

Cape York grazing families didn’t let a little thing like a Cat 1 cyclone deter them from heading to the 2019 Cape York Grazing Forum held in Laura recently

Cape York NRM ran the event in partnership with South Cape York Catchments, Rural Financial Counselling Services North Queensland, AgForce, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and was a great success. 

Graziers from across the Cape travelled to Laura for the two-day event and thankfully Cyclone Anne lost her way and was a no-show.

Cape York NRM Acting Principal Program Manager Michael Goddard, who coordinated the event, said he was very happy with the way it rolled out.

‘Each of the partners was integral to the success of the event. I extend a special thank you to Tahna Jackson from Rural Financial Counselling Services North Queensland who worked tirelessly to put the program together to ensure the concurrent sessions ran smoothly,’ he said. 

‘Everyone had the opportunity to attend each session.’ 

The annual Grazing Forum showcases the latest farm management practices and tools to support graziers to better utilise their time and improve profitability within the beef industry.

The two-day program covered a variety of topics including succession planning, finance and valuation, biosecurity, Paddock to Reef program, border security, and quad bike safety.

Major and Organised Crime Squad detectives updated graziers on a range of relevant topics, including what to do if people are trespassing on private property, and what do in the case of an arson event. 

Lyndal Scobell from the University of Southern Queensland presented on Climate Variability, providing farmers with information on how they can access a variety of tools to interpret seasonal climate drivers for risk management and decision-making about their herds and pastures.

Attendees also benefited from the opportunity to get together with their peers and swap stories. 

The event was held at Laura Rodeo Grounds and catered for by the Laura Rodeo and Campdraft Association headed by Mary Shepherd. Mary’s catering expertise kept everyone more than satisfied with the continuous supply of food and beverages.

This event was supported by Cape York NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s Reef Trust program and supported by the Queensland Government’s Natural Resources Investment Program

Following the Grazing Forum, Cape York NRM hosted a Horticultural Round Table at Lakeland which was attended by growers from that region.

Presentations were delivered by Major and Organised Crime Squad, University of Southern Queensland, and Cape York NRM.

This event was supported by Cape York NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and supported by the Queensland Government’s Natural Resources Investment Program