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A history of cattle, water and wildlife on Nankin Plain

Website/Report

Project lead

Partnerships

Queensland Wetlands Program

Fitzroy Basin Association

Capricorn Catchments

Landholders

Industries

Grazing

Activities

On-ground work

Case study type

(none)

Funding source

Fitzroy Basin Association

Queensland Wetlands Program

Funding amount

(not documented)

In-kind contribution

(not documented)

Start date

2017

End date

Ongoing

Summary

One of the earliest farming areas in Central Queensland, Broadmeadows—on the floodplain of Nankin Creek before it meets the Fitzroy River estuary—has a history of sustaining cattle and wildlife on its well-watered marshes. The landholders have developed a viable, stud and commercial cattle business that exists in concert with thousands of waterbirds, including swans and brolgas that regularly nest in the wetland. Presently, they are applying several strategies to successfully reduce soil erosion on vulnerable slopes in the wetland catchment.

Landholders are continuing on-ground management.

DAF and NRM groups contributed to developing the case study which was completed in 2017.

(See case study)

Benefits

  • Reduce erosion and sediment loss
  • improved wetland habitat.

Lesson

Robert and Michele Lang sum up their approach to sustaining a viable grazing enterprise at Broadmeadows: “High performing, quiet cattle are essential in any beef cattle operation but particularly in a beef cattle operation as small as we have at Broadmeadows. We have found Charolais and Charbray cattle to be the most suitable breeds to enable us to achieve the aims and objectives of our enterprise.” And regarding ground cover—which has implications for condition of downslope wetlands: “Low pressure grazing and strategic fencing have minimised labour costs and the impact of dry-weather. Ongoing restoration of areas currently unusable, such as eroded gullies and salted areas, is essential for the future sustainability of our beef cattle operation at Broadmeadows.”

Reference ID

(none)

Last updated: 21 June 2017

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2017) A history of cattle, water and wildlife on Nankin Plain, WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/resources/tools/wetland-project/a-history-of-cattle-water-and-wildlife-on-nankin-plain-e20a/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation