IF YOU’RE looking for ways to make your pasture more efficient and resilient to change in Queensland’s variable climate, holistic grazing management may be the option for you.
An information session introducing the principles of holistic grazing is being coordinated by NQ Dry Tropics and will take place at Balfe’s Creek Community Hall (approximately 40km south-west of Charters Towers) on Friday, September 11 from 10am-5pm.
The session will provide an outline of what holistic management is and how it can benefit your business and the environment.
Information will be provided on the day by certified holistic management educator Brian Wehlburg of Inside Out Management and Grazing Bestprac (GPB Qld) Queensland director Mick Alexander.
From Africa originally, Brian obtained an agricultural diploma and, in 1981, after two years as a farm manager he started his own agricultural enterprise, growing crops for export, breeding cattle and operating a safari business and wildlife conservancy.
An introductory Holistic Management course in 1995 inspired Brian to implement his new understanding and knowledge, using grazing as a tool to improve the environment with resultant increased stocking rates, significant pasture improvement and regeneration of water seeps. In 2001 he completed his Holistic Management Certified Educator’s course.
The same year he arrived in Australia and has broadened his hands-on experience, working for a pastoral enterprise in South West Queensland as a pasture and cattle manager and grazing consultant and managing a grazing property in New South Wales.
In Zimbabwe Brian held field days for local tribal farmers and involved his staff with new grazing practices. As a director of Inside Outside Management he has worked with diverse groups, including Landcare and CMA groups, family businesses and sole operators both in Queensland and New South Wales, delivering Holistic Management practitioner training and grazing management courses.
“I have a lot of experience working in a team with people from different cultures and backgrounds,” Brian said.
“This, together with my passion for holistic management allows me to create an atmosphere of trust within a group, enabling the diverse participants to actively contribute towards positive outcomes,” he said.
Mick Alexander is passionate about the implementation of Grazing BMP in the rural industry. Mick designed the concept of an industry wide BMP for grazing in 2008.
“I’ve been been continuously involved in the grazing and cropping industry since growing up on the family farm on the Darling Downs, Queensland,” he said.
Mick has a sound understanding of both the climatic/ soil management issues of grazing in Australia and the economics of making the business work today.
His focus is on assisting people to manage change in rural communities and to take action towards a happier healthier future.
For more information, or to register contact Oliver McConnachie at oliver.mcconnachie@nqdrytropics.com.au by phoning 0439 827 558.
