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Get ahead of the game: Charbray breeders prepare for drought with QRIDA

As drought ravished Queensland, paddocks became barren, animal welfare became front of mind and the emotional and financial strain of how to sustain their primary production enterprise grew. 

And then, eventually, the rain began to fall. Paddocks turned green, cattle numbers were restocked and business began to flow again. But the memory and anxiety of drought lingered in the Curtis’ minds. They wanted to be prepared for the next drought. 

For 15 years, Anthony and Kylee Curtis have operated their Charbray breeding business at Scottland Downs, an hour north-west of Goondiwindi.

“Our priority is in breeding. We breed Charbray cattle and we breed stud bulls that we sell, and weaners that we sell to Roma Sale Yards,” said Kylee.

Kylee said the Drought Preparedness Grant from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), worked well with their forward planning of drought proofing their primary production enterprise.

“We saw the opportunity of the Drought Preparedness Grant which linked in with our forward planning, our vision of trying to be prepared for the next drought because we know it will come one day.” 

The Curtises used the grant to help fund the construction of a commodity shed to store large quantities of feed during prolonged dry periods.

“2019 was extremely dry for everyone, not just us and we were feeding all our cattle, all the family’s cattle, and we never wanted to go through that again of buying food. 

“We got the Drought Preparedness Grant to build a commodity shed. The shed was roughly $75,000; we got the concrete floor where we put the cotton seed and we do our own hay and silage,” said Anthony. 

The Curtises were able to use a QRIDA Sustainability Loan as the co-contribution amount needed for the Drought Preparedness Grant.

“The Drought Preparedness Grant made up that 25% and then the Sustainability Loan made up the rest, so they went hand in hand to support us in being able to build the shed.

“It was smoother than I thought applying for both the Drought Preparedness Grant and the Sustainability Loan, they blended as one rather than two, so that made sense to us, and it was straightforward,” said Kylee. 

Having on-farm feed storage available has given Anthony and Kylee security for the future, knowing that when the next drought comes, they will be able to sustain their business. 

“It just gives you security knowing that you’ll be in a lot better position than what you were in last time.

“A big part of our business is breeding stud cattle, and you don’t want to sell your stud cattle when it gets dry so we want to be in a position to feed them so we can keep trading when it gets raw,” said Anthony. 

Kylee added that being able to manage and store feed gave them better control over their business decisions. 

“We can also be more cost effective in our management of commodities too with this shed. If family have feed on the ground at their place, we’ve got the facility now to store it and keep it in good condition until it’s needed.” 

Anthony and Kylee encourage other producers to take advantage of the funding available to help prepare their business for drought. 

“Definitely take advantage of it, I’m glad we did. It just helps you rest easy, set your mind at ease that you’ve prepared for the next dry time,” said Anthony.

“You have to expect that drought is going to come. Watching Anthony and my family and I go through what we did in the millennium drought and again back in 2019, it was hard emotionally, financially so if we can try and avoid that again we will,” added Kylee. 

QRIDA’s Drought Preparedness Grants offer up to $50,000 as a co-contribution grant to assist primary producers undertaking permanent infrastructure activities that will improve the drought preparedness of their property.

A QRIDA Sustainability Loan may be used as the co-contribution to the Drought Preparedness Grant for implementation activities.

For more information on these programs visit the pages linked on our website above or contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946. 

Owning a primary production operation or small business can come with a range of distinct challenges including financial pressures, disasters and droughts, which may be worsened by the social isolation some people can experience living in a rural or regional community. Please visit QRIDA’s mental health resources webpage for a list of confidential mental health services available.