For the first time in its 12-year history, the Reef Catchments Grazing Forum and Field Day were held in the Whitsundays - and it was a resounding success.
Over two days, graziers, ag professionals and community members came together to share knowledge, explore innovation, and strengthen connections across the region. The event, delivered by Reef Catchments’ Sustainable Agriculture team, highlighted the importance of collaboration, practical learning and community-led sustainable land management in the grazing sector.
Field Day: Innovation Meets Practicality
Hosted by generous landholders at Yalboroo, the field day focused on the real-world challenges of converting old cane paddocks into productive grazing pastures. Attendees rotated through hands-on sessions covering weed management, pasture nutrition and soil health, including pH and texture assessments led by Reef Catchments and TNQ Drought Hub.
A standout moment was the live demonstration of AutoWeed’s AI drone technology, which is being trialled to support more targeted and efficient weed control. Kevin Moore, Principal Project Officer for Sustainable Agriculture at Reef Catchments, said the interest from landholders was clear.
“AutoWeed is a tool we’re looking at using to reduce pesticide use by targeting specific weeds. That means lower costs for landholders and less runoff into our waterways - a win-win for graziers and the Great Barrier Reef.”
Farmacist Mackay Extension Agronomist Mandy Jeppsen also spoke on the importance of combining weed control with nutrition for successful pasture establishment.
“If graziers can get a handle on both from the start, it reduces ongoing maintenance costs and they will have good pasture establishment up front. A holistic approach combining grazing management, mechanical methods like slashing and nutrition is key.”
The field day was a chance for graziers to connect, share experiences and learn from one another, as well as gain technical learnings.
“This is my 10th Grazing Forum,” said grazier Travis Perry.
“It’s great to see how the event has progressed. There’s still a lot of people willing to learn and take the time to come to these events. That’s what makes it worthwhile – it's been a great event to attend once again.”
Forum: Genetics, Herd Health and Community Connection
Held at the Proserpine Showgrounds, the Grazing Forum built on the momentum of the field day with a strong focus on cattle management. Topics included genetics, disease prevention and bull selection, with expert insights from Lawson Camm (Cambil Brahmans), James Kent (Great Northern Brahman Sale) and Tim Emry (Department of Primary Industries).
Attendees were treated to a showcase of Brahman bulls and a breakdown of complex topics like EBVs and genetic scoring, helping graziers make informed decisions tailored to their enterprise goals.
“We’ve had Lawson Camm and representatives from the Great Northern Brahman Sale speak down at the Proserpine Showgrounds showring, which was pretty spectacular,” said Reef Catchments Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Kellie Harmsworth.
“There are quite a few good specimens of Brahman bulls coming through. I’ve really enjoyed the day. It’s been a casual, relaxed atmosphere with great attendance from landholders, sales reps, industry reps and the general community.”
Jason Mansfield from Greater Whitsunday Vet Service also spoke on the importance of herd health, reinforcing the need for proactive management and regular vet engagement.
Mandy Jeppsen reflected on the broader impact of the event.
“These sorts of events are rare in this region, especially with grazing not always seen as a priority in cane-growing areas. There aren’t many places where graziers can meet suppliers and service providers, hear from guest speakers, and learn from each other all in one spot. It’s a great way to build community - the more people you connect with, the more ideas you can share, and everyone benefits from that.”
The success of this year’s event highlights the growing appetite for practical, locally relevant grazing support in the Mackay Whitsunday region. Reef Catchments is proud to support graziers through events like these, which foster innovation, collaboration, resilience and community.
For more information, visit www.reefcatchments.com.au/projects/sustainable-agriculture-facilitaor-saf.
Photos source: Reef Catchments
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