FutureBeef

01/04/2026

Disaster assistance and freight subsidies are still available for those impacted by recent floods 👇👇

🌧️ 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁

Disaster assistance has been expanded to support Imangara (Murray Downs) residents and some pastoralists affected by the recent Barkly/Central Australian floods.

Eligible residents and pastoralists can now access:
• 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 (not means tested)
• 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (means tested)
• 𝗥𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 for essential household items (means tested)

Pastoralists and primary producers in the 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗹𝘆, 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗚𝗔𝘀 can also access 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 subsidies, while local councils receive support for clean up and emergency works.
This extension ensures pastoralists, families and local authorities get the practical help they need as recovery continues across the region.

ℹ️ More information:
https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/
https://securent.nt.gov.au/recover-from-an-emergency/past-events/barkly-and-ca-severe-weather

To apply 👉 https://grantsnt.nt.gov.au/grants/disaster-recovery-funding-arrangements-freight-subsidy-central-australia-and-barkly-agrn-1258

SecureNT

31/03/2026

If you’ve been into the office for a quick question and left 2 hours later… chances are you’ve met Karl McKellar.

Say g’day to Karl, Senior Beef Extension Officer based in Charters Towers and the unofficial face of the front counter.

Karl covers general extension across the region, including a legume project at Spyglass and a producer group out at Torrens Creek that he’ll tell you is “good fun.” He also works closely with Local Drought Committees across North and Northwest QLD, so there’s not too many corners of the region he hasn’t had a conversation in.

He started with the DPI back in 1994 on a tick eradication project in Taroom, an effort he’ll remind you was very successful (time to shine again, Karl!). He grew up in Tambo, home of the teddy bear where his mum used to deliver them to local properties to be sewn. She has some of the first editions ever released before they were famous.

Karl is big on the people side of the industry, figuring out how to connect with producers from all walks, because no two operations (or conversations) are ever the same. As he puts it, the beef industry is a bit like the Titanic… not sinking but a very big ship that’s hard to stop or turn quickly. So, take your time and not all problems are icebergs.

Quick takes:
✔ Favourite legume? The native legume Rhynchosia (and there’s a story behind remembering that one, be sure to ask him at the next field day 😉)
✔ Ute playlist? Local radio in town, ABC once you’re 100m out, “same news all day, you learn by repetition”
✔ Best day on the job? “Are there bad days?” (Fridays go alright)
✔ Passion? Finding better ways to engage with clients - because one size doesn’t fit all!
✔ What he wished more producers knew: "My bowling figures in the Clermont Cricket league where I once took 5 for 2 verse the Hoey Has Beens… The beef industry needs to know more about my bowling."

If you’ve got a question or just feel like a chat, Karl is always up for it, drop into the Charters Towers office or reach out anytime… bonus points if you bring up that 5 for 2.

You can find Karls contact details here👉 https://info.futurebeef.com.au/4sh27QZ

Queensland Agriculture

31/03/2026

Learn how cattle weight data can transform your grazing decisions at the NQDT Optiweigh Field Day 👇👇

Click 'learn more' to register today.

30/03/2026

Damaged fencing after the March 2025 floods?

If you’re in Queensland’s Central West, Southwest or Western regions, support is available to help repair exclusion fencing - and there’s now more time to apply!

The Expression of Interest (EOI) closing date has been extended to 30 June 2026.

You can access funding through a service provider listed below, depending on where your property is:
• RAPAD (northern region)
• Quilpie Shire (southern region)

Find out more and check your eligibility here 👉 https://info.futurebeef.com.au/3NT8YRx

📞Give your local Beef Extension Officer a call if you need help navigating the funding applications.

Queensland Agriculture
Quilpie Shire Council
RAPAD

30/03/2026

A biosecurity outbreak can impact more than just livestock. Find out what it means for you and your business, and how to be prepared at these Biosecurity Queensland workshops 👇👇

Biosecurity Queensland are hosting a series of Biosecurity Response Readiness Workshops to help industry prepare for a potential biosecurity outbreak 🦠

The industry-specific workshops are aimed at anyone from industry or business whose role will be affected by a biosecurity outbreak including:
🔹 Industry peak bodies
🔹 Producers, processors and manufacturers
🔹 Large local employers
🔹 Transport, logistics, retail and distribution
🔹 Regional and emerging leaders

The industry workshops will be held on the following dates:

📍 Mareeba - Thursday 16 April
📍 Blackall - Monday 29 June
📍 Bundaberg - Friday 12 June

To register 👉 https://okt.to/Dda6xF

29/03/2026

What a crowd at the Grazing Land Management EDGE workshop in Monto! 🌱

Plenty of ideas sparked, a few lightbulb moments, and no shortage of practical takeaways. Producers walked away inspired, praising the presenters’ top-notch knowledge and calling the workshop a must-do.

The standout? Getting boots on the ground on a local property and seeing how challenges are tackled.

Think your area could use a workshop like this? Put your hand up, we’re keen to bring the next one your way 👉 https://info.futurebeef.com.au/4bjXeAL

Meat & Livestock Australia
Queensland Agriculture

27/03/2026

Thought you'd missed out on the Katherine Nutrition EDGE workshop? It's your lucky day! 🍀 Some spots still available 👇👇

26/03/2026

Work hard, nap harder.

Branding season is in full swing across the north, and while this little bloke’s taking it easy post-brand, it’s a good reminder to keep best practice front of mind in the yards.

This guide covers everything from surgery and wound healing, pain relief, branding, and dehorning, through to practical animal welfare practices.

Worth a quick look 👇
https://info.futurebeef.com.au/4d6Efed

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

26/03/2026

Do you have questions about vegetation management, including land clearing laws? Chat with a member of the Veg Hub team in a town near you! 👇👇

The Veg Hub is coming to you🌱
We’re hitting the road and bringing the Veg Hub pop-up office to towns across Queensland. Whether you're a grower, producer, or just curious about what we do, come and chat with us about your vegetation mapping.

📍 Here’s where you can find us:
• Cloncurry: 19–20 March and September
• Charters Towers: 30–31 March and 1 April
• Roma: 27–29 April, 23–25 June, 25–27 August, 27–29 October
• Longreach: May, August and November
• Richmond: September

We’re here to help year-round!
Our staff are also based in multiple office locations across Queensland, including:
Ipswich, Toowoomba, Warwick, Beenleigh, Nambour, Gympie, Charleville, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Emerald, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns.

Book your spot today 📞
Call us on 13 58 34 or email vegetation@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au to secure your appointment and make the most of our visit.
We can’t wait to see you there!

25/03/2026

One tick can turn into 3,000 more, that’s why timing your treatments matters. 🕷️🐄

The cattle tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) is a one-host tick, meaning larvae, nymphs and adults all feed on the same animal over ~3 weeks. But here’s the catch, the pasture stage can survive 2-9 months waiting for their next host.

Understanding the lifecycle is key to breaking it:

🔴 Larvae (Days 0–5)
Pinhead-sized and highly active. They climb onto cattle and attach within 24–48 hours.

🟠 Nymphs (Days 6–14)
Feed and grow with little movement. Preparing to moult into adults.

⚫ Adults (Days 15–21)
Females rapidly engorge in the final 24 hours, drop off, and lay up to 3,000 eggs on pasture and die.

🔵 Male ticks (often overlooked)
Male ticks can live up to 2 months, move between animals, and feed intermittently without engorging. They play a key role in spreading tick fever between cattle and sustaining infestations within the herd.

🌱 Pasture stage 2–9 months (depending on temperature and moisture levels)
Eggs hatch into larvae and wait for cattle to pass by, ready to restart the cycle.

What this means for control programs:
✔ Treatments must target ticks before females drop off and lay eggs
✔ Follow-up treatments are critical to kill newly attached larvae
✔ Pastures can remain infested for months, even after cattle are treated
✔ Strategic timing breaks the lifecycle and reduces reinfestation pressure

Effective tick control isn’t just about treating cattle, it’s about outsmarting the tick lifecycle.

Find out more here 👉 https://info.futurebeef.com.au/4s62vBr

Biosecurity Queensland
Queensland Agriculture

25/03/2026

Keen to grow your leadership skills and networks in the beef industry? The Advancing Beef Leaders applications close soon - apply today! 👇👇

24/03/2026

More calves, fewer guesswork decisions… sounds like a good deal, right?

Breeding EDGE in Mackay will be delivering hands-on, no-nonsense insights to help you boost reproduction and get more out of your herd performance and drive herd profitability.

Over 3 days, you’ll sharpen your skills in:
✔️ reproduction & reducing losses
✔️ bull selection & fertility
✔️ genetics that actually deliver
✔️ building a breeding plan that works on YOUR place

Because better decisions now = more calves (and dollars) later.

📍 Mackay
📅 8-9 June 2026

Secure your spot now 👉 https://info.futurebeef.com.au/47H5IiV

Meat & Livestock Australia
Queensland Agriculture