Forum to cover a lot of ground in Laura

Graziers from Cape York Peninsula will be converging on the Laura Rodeo Grounds and paying a visit to Crocodile Station when they gather this month for the annual Cape York NRM Grazing Forum.

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, crush-side demonstrations and genome technology, low-cost erosion control, and controlling woody thickening on properties. Financial opportunities, vegetation management laws, and the latest in technology for graziers on the Cape will also be covered. 

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

“We are also holding a demonstration segment on day two, to get people out from the marquee and on to a working cattle property.”

The Grazing Forum is held each year in May with the aim of providing updated information on cattle and land management, business and funding opportunities, and communications and technology.

“We like to think it’s also a social event, with the evening dinner and entertainment and the 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 Counselling 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.