Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Enhanced Extension Coordination: Grazing peer-to-peer groups

Walking the paddocks at Bumbleginny Station, Charters Towers.

The Enhanced Extension Coordination in the Great Barrier Reef project is supporting Burdekin graziers to build their awareness of grazing management practices and their confidence and skills to trial new grazing practices. The two peer-to-peer groups are at different stages of their journey in implementing fit-for-purpose planned grazing; providing different perspectives on seasonal planning and management of cattle and pasture. Peer-to-peer groups provide an opportunity for graziers to learn from each other through sharing experiences, advice, feedback and questions.

NQ Dry Tropics Grazing Project Officers Sam Skeat and Linda Anderson, alongside Grazing Naturally principal Dick Richardson, have been guiding graziers through seasonal grazing planning using paper-based charts or the MaiaGrazing software. Mr Skeat said the workshop benefited more advanced graziers as it provided “fresh ears” and a chance to discuss different perspectives of managing cattle and pasture according to dry season plans.

One grazier said:

“listening and learning from other graziers who are already changing how they graze their stock is absolutely the best way to learn. It’s been really good for us personally, really useful.”

Another grazier said:

“I have picked up a lot of things and what’s great is I now know exactly how many cattle I need for the wet season ahead.”

These groups were formed and are being supported through the Enhanced Extension Coordination in the Great Barrier Reef project. The project is funded by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program, and the Reefwise Grazing of Burdekin Rangelands project, funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust Partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.