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Virtual fencing, genetics and emissions reduction strategies in spotlight at Champion Station field day + PICS

James Nason and Eric Barker 30/06/2026

Gentle rain greeted about 150 visitors to a field day at Champion Station near Blackall this morning focusing on how virtual fencing, genetics and emissions reduction strategies are being applied in a large-scale commercial grazing business.

Hosted by Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC and Russell Pastoral Operations, is showcasing learnings from the Champion Station Producer Demonstration Site, with a focus on real-world decision-making across pasture management, breeding and technology.

Over 1000 of the Station’s 8000 cows are currently fitted with Halter collars, while an on-state Flux Tower is also being used to measure the carbon cycle. More detail on how these technologies are being used in practical management on the property to follow.

How properties are working to reduce emissions from cattle herds is also a key focus of today’s event.

Addressing the field day this morning Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC research director Ben Hayes (left) said the good news for producers is that “anything you do to improve productivity on your property is going to reduce methane emissions per kilogram of beef”.

“Those three things to improve productivity will reduce your emissions per kilogram of beef by up to about 30 percent,” Dr Hayes said.

Speakers at today’s event include Russel Pastoral Operations managing director Adam Armstrong, Cattle Australia deputy chair Adam Coffey, Hewitt Cattle Company’s Ben Hewitt, 3D genetics’ Joe Grose and the ZNE CRC’s Ben Hayes and Claire Mahoney.

Beef Central is there to cover the field day, see who our cameras found this morning, and keep an out for more stories to come in following days.

Mel Armstrong and Marie Mahoney.

Amy, Maldon and Troy Huhn, Nickaville, Quilpie.

Bruce and Annette Currie, Speculation, Jericho and Vol Norris, AgForce Longreach.

Rabobank’s Dan Korff, Longreach and Renee Donpon, Roma.

Jago Groat, Pastoral Partners Australia, Brisbane and Vanessa Cule, MLA Brisbane.

Johnelle Stevens, Pastoral Parnters Australia, Toowoomba and Phil Tickle, Cibo Labs.

Ian McLean, Bush Agrbusiness; Sam Turner, AAM and Ken Syme, Noogilla Cattle Co, Mitchell.

Salvo Vitelli, General Manager, Qld Department of Primary Industries and Mark Pawsey, AgCare.

Kendra and Matt Markwell, Champion Station, Blackall and Steve Drury, NAPCo.

Nick Kempe and Lachlan Godson from AgriMix

Beef Central’s Eric Barker capturing the action – keep an eye out for video, The Week in Beef podcast and online reports from today’s fied day in coming days.

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