A MAJOR turnaround in seasonal conditions has transformed the outlook for the Dingle family on their Mundubbera property Wivenhoe.
With pasture species including urochloa and buffel grass now in abundance, Wivenhoe looks an absolute picture and extremely well placed for the year.
The Dingles run about 2500 Santa Gertrudis breeders across four properties, with the objective of mainly producing highly sought after feeder weight cattle.
Wivenhoe, which is located in the Derri Derra area south west of Mundubbera, is used to background cattle. Forest country on the other three properties is used to run the breeders.
"It's incredible just how quickly things can change," Rodney said.
"Like everyone else, we've been through an incredibly tough drought which has changed a lot of plans and a lot of our thinking.
"Hopefully with the change in the season we will be better placed to focus on producing cattle."
Wivenhoe has the benefit of 120 hectares under two centre pivot irrigators, which are geared to feed cattle with rye grass based pastures during the winter months.
"We don't have as much fattening country as we would like, so the irrigation has proven a good alternative," Rodney said. "It certainly was a big help during the drought."
The Dingles said they were also very impressed by the pain relief product Tri-Solfen, after reading about trial work carried out by the late Zanda McDonald in Queensland Country Life.
Jake Dingle said Tri-Solfen had helped reduce the stress on the calves after dehorning and castration.
"What I've seen is the calves aren't lying under a tree, they will be with their mothers and drinking," Jake said.
"They seem to be recovering a lot quicker."
Jake said part of the appeal of Tri-Solfen was that is was easy and quick to use.
"There's no mess," he said. "A few well placed squirts and the jobs is done. It definitely benefits the calves."