Exploring the Power of Connection in Building Resilience in Soil, Pastures & Profits
Some field days leave you with a notebook full of ideas. Others leave you with a fresh perspective.
Beneath the Surface and Beyond at Bonnie Doone Beef managed to do both.
More than 140 producers, practitioners and industry representatives travelled from across Queensland – and as far as Cairns, Darwin and Tasmania – to spend the day learning, asking questions, sharing experiences and connecting with others who are equally passionate about the future of Australian agriculture.
Hosted by the Burnham family at Bonnie Doone Beef, in partnership with CarbonLink, RCS Australia and Burnett Mary Regional Group, the day explored the powerful connection between geology, soil health, grazing management, business resilience and natural capital.
Exploring the Story Beneath Our Feet
Throughout the day, attendees heard from a range of producers, researchers and industry experts, each bringing a unique perspective to the conversation.
CarbonLink’s Head of Projects, Zoe Maskell, and Project Manager, Santos Amadeo, explored the geological history of the Bonnie Doone landscape and how its underlying geology has influenced the property’s soil carbon journey, alongside practical insights into pasture biology, grazing resilience, business decision-making and emerging natural capital opportunities.
Grant and Carly Burnham also shared the “10 things” that have shaped their stewardship of Bonnie Doone over the years.
More Than Carbon
A particularly special part of the day was welcoming back several of the producers who embarked on one of Australia’s earliest soil carbon projects with CarbonLink in 2016, including Grant and Carly Burnham, Nick Blomfield, and Andrew and Meagan Lawrie.
Their stories highlighted how much has changed over the past decade – not only in our understanding of soil carbon, but in the relationships, knowledge and community that have grown alongside it. It was a powerful reminder that this journey has always been about more than carbon.
Learning Beyond the Presentations
While the presentations offered valuable insights, some of the most meaningful learning happened between sessions.
Over coffee, lunch and paddock conversations, producers exchanged ideas, challenged one another’s thinking and built new connections that will continue long after the event.
The food was also a highlight of the day, with a thoughtfully curated menu celebrating exceptional local produce and the flavours of the Burnett region. It reflected the same philosophy that underpinned the event: showcasing the value of local knowledge, local landscapes and local communities.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to Grant, Carly, Lily, Ruby, Knox and the entire Burnham family for so generously opening your home and sharing your journey.
Thank you also to our event partners RCS Australia and Burnett Mary Regional Group, event sponsor Halter, our presenters, and everyone who travelled near and far to be part of such a memorable day.
We hope everyone left inspired with new ideas to explore, new connections to lean on, and a renewed appreciation for the incredible potential of their land.
Beneath the Surface & Beyond was delivered in collaboration:
