New venue for Grazing Forum

Crocodile Station will be the hub for this year’s Cape York NRM Grazing Forum, where landowners from Cape York Peninsula will meet with a team of experts to discuss the latest industry developments. 

To be held on the 16 and 17 of May, the Forum, usually located at the Laura Rodeo Grounds, has had a late change of venue.

“The Laura Rodeo Grounds have had the kitchen closed, so with typical Cape York generosity, the managers of Crocodile Station, Roy and Karlene Shephard, have stepped in to host,” Sustainable Industries and Water Quality Manager, and Forum MC, Michael Goddard said.

“It's an easy transition, they’re set up for events like this and we were going to take the Forum to the station on the second day anyway for crush-side demonstrations with cattle.”

The free event will feature 18 presentations from experts in the fields of fire control and controlled burning; feral animal trapping, in particular, feral pigs; biosecurity; genome technology; low-cost erosion control; controlling woody thickening on properties; financial opportunities; vegetation management laws; and the latest in communications and technology.

“We have a fantastic line-up of presenters, and we’re mixing it up a bit this year,” Michael said. “We’ll start at midday on the first day then have the Forum close Wednesday afternoon, so people have daylight time to travel.”

The Grazing Forum is held each year in May with the aim of providing updated information on cattle and land management.

“We like to think it’s also a social event, with the evening dinner and a campground atmosphere,” Michael said. “It’s a really good way for people on remote properties to connect, have a yarn and catch up.”

Among the presenters, will be representatives from Rural Fire Services, Cook Shire Council, Biosecurity Queensland, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services, BoarBuster, The NAFI program, AG-Force, the National Feral Pig Action Plan, Rural Financial Counseling and the Artemis Nature Fund. 

To register for attendance and for catering purposes, please contact Katrina Shaw at katrina.shaw@capeyorknrm.com.au or phone 0428 395 701.

The 2023 Grazing Forum is delivered by Cape York NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, with support from the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, Meat and Livestock Australia and AgForce.