Healthy soils, productive pastures and informed land management decisions were at the centre of the 2026 Grazing Forum and Field Day, held in Sarina and Mount Charlton on 16–17 September.
Organised by Reef Catchments, the two-day event brought together graziers, landholders, agricultural specialists and natural resource management organisations to explore practical ways to improve grazing productivity, profitability and land condition.
The forum at Sarina Showgrounds featured presentations on improved pasture management, natural capital awareness, soil health, landscape function, climate preparedness and innovative technologies. The following day, an on-ground field day at a private property in Mount Charlton gave participants the opportunity to discuss land condition, pasture growth and soil characteristics in a real-world setting.
The TNQ Drought Hub’s Regional Soil Coordinator, Dhiraj Gajera, attended both days to connect with producers, share practical soil-health knowledge and identify opportunities for future collaboration.
Understanding what is happening beneath the surface
A key takeaway was the importance of looking beyond what is visible above ground. Soil structure influences how water enters and moves through the soil, how roots develop and how effectively pastures use available moisture and nutrients.
Dhiraj chatted with graziers about practical ways to assess soil health, including soil-core observations, infiltration tests, penetrometer assessments and pH testing. These methods can help identify issues such as compaction and poor water infiltration before they affect pasture performance.
Regular monitoring also helps producers track changes over time and make more informed decisions about pasture management, stocking pressure and groundcover protection.
Connecting knowledge with practical support
The event provided valuable opportunities for Dhiraj to hear directly from graziers about their challenges, priorities and information needs. These conversations reinforced the importance of simple, affordable monitoring methods and advice tailored to individual properties, soil types and seasonal conditions.
The forum also strengthened connections between different specialists, creating opportunities for future soil-health demonstrations, producer workshops and shared learning resources.
Events like these help producers explore practical management options that support productive pastures, healthier soils and more resilient grazing enterprises.
Find out more about our Regional Soil Coordinator and the National Soil Strategy