ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE, SHEEP AND GOATS when we take the stock out of a mainly for export. Brent said they have SNAPSHOT: paddock, there’s nothing grazing it, to turn them off quickly to prevent Brent and Teresa Gadsby, so the grass and shrubs have a chance numbers building up too much. to recover.” Morven, Queensland No pressure “At present, the goats are the mostvaluable animal we have – they get up lSG When feed is scarce, Brent and Teresa to $7.10 a kilo – and they’re very fast destock their property to control breeders,” he said. ■ grazing pressure. “We had one decent shower at the end Brent Gadsby of summer but haven’t had much rain E: moorooka2@bigpond.com other than that for months, so we’re selling stock off now,” Brent said. LESSONS The first stock to be sold are the LEARNED Area: cattle – steers go first, then any dry Two properties – 7,700ha + 5,500ha heifers – followed by the Dorpers. The > Exclusion fencing enabled control Enterprise: Gadsbys’ intention is to reduce numbers of animal numbers. Cattle, sheep and goats by selling the animals while they’re in good condition. > Removing water supplies from Livestock: unstocked paddocks dramatically 450 Brangus breeding cows, The goats began as a feral problem reduced feral and kangaroo 800 Dorper ewes, 2,800 nannies but by controlling numbers, managing numbers. their grazing and introducing good > Destocking before feed runs Pasture: genetics by introducing Boer billies, out enabled stock to be sold Buffel grass and native grasses, mulga they’ve become a lucrative part of the at higher prices while reducing enterprise. The goats are sold direct to pressure on pasture. Soil: meat processors at nearby Charleville, Red loam Rainfall: 500mm 35