Juggling family and business and the importance of systems, science and support will be in the spotlight when Grazing BMP accredited producer, Charters Towers Regional Council deputy mayor, and mother-of-three Sonia Bennetto presents as part of the NQ Dry Tropics’ Women in Grazing Bus Tour on Wednesday, August 31.
With her husband Matt and his parents Sue and Rob, running Virginia Park; a cattle station and tourism experience 30km north-east of Charters Towers over the past four years have been a steep learning curve for school teacher and marketing professional Sonia.
Growing up in Mareeba where her parents ran a lime and tobacco farm, Sonia had no comprehension of grazing when she met her husband and they moved onto the Bennetto family property.
“Coming into it with fresh eyes, I originally though we’re going to run some cattle in a paddock and one day we’ll sell them,” she said.
“But as my knowledge and appreciation has grown; I realise that science plays a huge part; even in just basic principles like the supply chain.”
Sonia has used her marketing and business background to automate many processes on the property and says the key has been combining the old ways with the new.
“We are coming into this era of science and we have access to technology that helps us measure and assess every aspect of our operations.
“For us, this has been a result of utilising readily available support and resources provided by organisations such as NQ Dry Tropics, DLC, DAF, and CSIRO.”
As well as getting all her systems in check, Sonia has also refined her own expectations and priorities, restructuring her work environment so she can be productive while minding her children.
“I think that interweaving work and life roles, and ‘going with the flow’, has helped change my thinking and the way I manage my priorities.”
As an industry newcomer; Sonia admits she still has a lot to learn; but it excites her, rather than daunts her.
“I’m a big advocate of attending workshops and any industry events for networking purposes because just one comment has the potential to spark change.
“You can’t lose sight of the constant learning curve.
“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
Sonia and other leading pastoral women will share their knowledge and experiences as they travel to four grazing properties during the tour, concluding with a dinner in Charters Towers.
