You might remember the devastating 2019 QLD floods where over 500,000 head of livestock were lost. This year, they were tested again. But this time, thanks to some forward-thinking and the construction of these man-made "high ground" mounds, the losses while still heavy, are sitting closer to 100,000.
It’s a powerful reminder that while we can’t control the sky, we can control how we prepare the ground.
In our corner of Northern NSW, we aren’t exactly reaching for the life jackets just yet. In fact, watching the rain fall all around us while our own paddocks stay dry is a different kind of frustration. Let's hope some falls this weekend. But the lesson from those Queensland mounds isn't just about floods - it's about evolution.
The producers up there didn't just build a pile of dirt and hope for the best. They’re already learning how to do it better next time, using more topsoil for stability, crowning the tops so water doesn't pond, and feeding out on the mounds during the dry so the cattle know exactly where "home base" is when the water rises.
We are all feeling the pinch right now. Between yesterday’s interest rate hike and the ongoing uncertainty around fuel supplies, the 'cost of standing still' is higher than ever. Every liter of diesel and every percentage point on a loan puts additional pressure on our families and our businesses.
It can feel like the goalposts are constantly moving. But just like those producers on the Flinders River floodplain, our strength lies in our ability to adapt.
It’s about taking the wins where we find them and learning from the challenges when they hit. Whether it’s too much water or not enough, a hike in rates or a dip in supply, we keep adapting, we keep looking after each other, and we keep reaching for that high ground.
Stay positive and prepared, and let’s keep the conversation going.
In the agricultural industry, there’s a whole lot we can’t control. We can't control when the rain falls, we can’t control global market
swings, and we certainly can’t control the price of fuel.
But here’s the good news: the things we can control make all the difference to the bottom line.
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