FutureBeef

04/09/2026

What can you learn from putting a paddock under the microscope?

Shane and Alethea Nicolle from Mulga Park Station have spent several years working alongside researchers to track pasture growth, cattle performance and business outcomes through the AridGRAZE Paddock Challenge.

And it turns out how much grass is in the paddock is only part of the picture. Pasture quality also matters when working out how many cattle the country can carry.

See what else they've learnt along the way 👇

🌱 Science in the paddock – what happens when researchers and producers work together?

Shane and Alethea Nicolle from Mulga Park Station have been working alongside Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) researchers on the AridGRAZE Paddock Challenge since 2022.

Over several years, the team has collected pasture, cattle and economic data together, building a trusted relationship through open communication and shared learning.

This long-term collaboration has created valuable opportunities for researchers and producers to learn from each other, helping turn research into practical insights for managing a pastoral business in Central Australia.

Read the Mulga Park case study to discover more about their experience and what they have learned along the way.
👉https://futurebeef.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AridGraze-project-Mulga-Park.pdf

🔎 Find out more about the AridGRAZE project: https://daf.nt.gov.au/livestock/livestock-industries-projects
For more information, contact the DAF Livestock Extension team at [email protected].

The Paddock Challenge project is supported by the Northern Hub through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

03/09/2026

Got a paddock you're thinking about planting to improved pasture?

Not quite sure which species? What the soil test is telling you? How much seed to order? Or whether the paddock is ready to plant?

Bring your paddock and your questions.

DPI pasture specialists are bringing together a small online group of producers from Dingo, Middlemount, Valkyrie, Clarke Creek and surrounding areas to work through pasture establishment from planning to planting and beyond.

You'll get practical advice specific to your property, learn alongside other local producers and have support from the pasture team as the season progresses.

And it won't all happen behind a screen – the pasture team will visit you on-property for some one-on-one support, plus the group will come together to see how everyone's pastures are progressing.

Interested? Register your details and we'll be in touch 👉 https://info.futurebeef.com.au/4waXQ2R

Want to know more? Have a chat with Kylie Hopkins on 0467 726 349 or email [email protected].

Queensland Agriculture

03/09/2026

RSVPs closing soon!

Springsure producers, if getting your Farm Business Resilience Plan sorted has been sitting on the to-do list, this could be the nudge you need.

Register by Sunday 6 September 👇

03/09/2026

Sometimes you just need to get out in the paddock and have a stickybeak!

Head along to the Mitchell and District Landcare Association field day for a closer look at soils, pastures and dual-purpose winter crops, expert insights and equipment demonstrations in action.

Find out more and RSVP below 👇

02/09/2026

A swollen brisket. Diarrhoea. Trouble breathing. Hanging back from the mob. Would you suspect Pimelea?

And if you did, what would you do next?

Knowing what you're looking for is the first step. Understanding your management options comes next.

Join QDPI Principal Scientist Ros Gilbert and Extension Officer Bec Brayley for the 'Piecing together a plan for Pimelea' webinar, bringing together the latest research with practical animal health and on-ground management.

We'll work through the Pimelea puzzle – from what's growing in the paddock and what's happening inside the animal, to recognising the signs and what you can do to manage the risk.

You'll also hear about new research underway and opportunities for producers to be involved.

📅 Thursday 10 September 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 pm AEST

Register here 👉 https://info.futurebeef.com.au/4zxwg2D

Beef Central
Meat & Livestock Australia
Queensland Agriculture
Agriculture Northern Territory
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

02/09/2026

Not sure how to interpret BREEDPLAN EBVs?

This practical guide explains what Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) mean and how you can use them to compare animals when deciding which ones best suit your herd.

Learn more 👇

General introduction to interpreting and understanding BREEDPLAN Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs).

01/09/2026

💡 The best learning often happens with your boots on the ground.

That was the idea behind the Wambiana Grazing Trial Next Gen Field Day on 14th August, where 58 producers, industry representatives and consultants hit the ground at Wambiana to see the long-term grazing trial in action and hear what the research means for grazing businesses today.

From variable stocking, wet season spelling and pasture management, through to genetics, AgTech and succession planning, there was plenty of discussion about what is working on the ground now and what the future may look like for northern grazing businesses.

One attendee summed it up well:

💬 "It was good seeing the trial in person and hearing about the challenges, learnings and possible future trends we are seeing."

And that’s the real value of a day like this. You can read the results, but seeing a long-term grazing trial, talking to the people behind it and swapping ideas with other producers hits differently.

A big thank you to the Lyons family for once again opening the gates, our presenters for sharing their knowledge and experiences, and everyone who came along and got stuck into the conversations.

Queensland Agriculture Meat & Livestock Australia

01/09/2026

Are your bulls pulling their weight?

The Australian Bull Power project found big differences in how many calves individual bulls sire.

Take a look at the results below 👇

How confident are you that every bull in your joining team is contributing?

Putting several bulls into a breeding paddock does not mean each one will contribute equally to the calf crop.

The Australian Bull Power project used DNA parentage testing across 4,440 calves from 212 bulls in 37 multiple-sire mating groups. It found considerable variation between bulls, including 7% that sired no calves and 13% that sired more than 30% of the calves in their group.

The project also found that no single physical or reproductive trait consistently identified the highest-contributing bulls. It reinforces the importance of complete breeding soundness examinations, including semen morphology, and careful management of the bull team.

31/08/2026

Boost breeder success with the right body condition!

Did you know a breeders body condition directly impacts her chance of conceiving at the next mating?

👉 To maximise reproductive success, aim for a Body Condition Score of 3 or higher at the break of season!

🎥 Watch this quick video to get some tips on managing breeder condition: http://bit.ly/2WuTrbn
Or visit FutureBeef to learn more: http://bit.ly/2L1SpRh

Queensland Agriculture
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Agriculture Northern Territory

31/08/2026

Leucaena is well known for its production benefits – but what about methane?

There’s another side to this high-quality forage, with research showing leucaena can also help reduce methane emissions from cattle.

See how it’s being used at Leather Cattle Co. 👇