Local graziers are investing in regenerative agriculture

Never stop learning and don’t stop asking questions.

This was a key message many Burdekin graziers came away with after attending a regenerative grazing workshop near Bowen.

Alejandro Carrillo, a regenerative rancher who is widely respected for his achievements in restoring his ranch in the Chihuahuan Desert, headlined the two-day workshop.

Alejandro shared his story of how he uses regenerative and holistic practices to improve the condition and production of his ranch in Mexico, and how graziers can apply these lessons in Australian landscapes to help manage pastures to maintain plant and soil health to build resilience to drought.

Bowen grazier Bob Harris said “being inquisitive” had led him to implement regenerative practices on his property.

“Nature isn’t static. Everything’s constantly changing and shifting especially when you include variables like weather, soil type and pasture composition.

“You have to try different things through trial and error to see what works best for you. Improving the quality of the grass and soil health is the main goal, and letting cattle do the best job at what they’re bred to do,” he said.

Whether the grazier is next door or halfway across the world, Ingham grazier Joel Sharpe said graziers could learn from others.

“By seeing how other graziers farm in a certain way, you learn how to better work with the resources you have,” Joel said.

“Loads of information have been shared, I have to go away and think about it and work out how I can use some of the ideas to improve what we’re doing.

“The workshop also confirmed a lot of what I’ve been doing or thinking about doing. So it’s good to know you’re on the right track.”

Joel said he abided by the 1 per cent rule – also known as the rule of marginal gains – the idea that big goals can be achieved through small steps.

“Rather than getting bogged down in looking for a grand solution, it’s about targeting our daily activities, and finding the small ways in which we can improve.

“This’ll result in bigger dividends for the business as well as improving landscape function in the medium and long-term,” he said.

Greenvale grazier Ben Bolton said Alejandro had provided food for thought to manage pasture better.

“The benefit of grazing management workshops is that they help you to look at your management of grazing land from a different angle, building on the knowledge gained over the years.

“Breeding cattle is long-term, and learning how to manage the country is part of it. We’re always looking for ways to run our country better so I’m interested in different approaches,” he said.

NQ Dry Tropics Gracing Field Officer Tristan Gibson (right) and Townsville grazier Matt Crowley (third, from left) with hosts Garlone Moulin and Jamie Gordon and their son Louis.

Dani Robson and Kevin Reid.