The owner of Bendemeer Pastoral Co,Clermont, said rainfall has been patchy with 45ml falling two kilometres from the homestead, one dam full and a slow grass response.

“We need a lot more rain,” Mr Burnett said.

“We need another 100mL to plant summer crops and then the cattle will go forwards.”

To get the 3000 head of Brahman-cross cattle in the best condition Mr Burnett chooses to grow forage sorghum and dolicos lablab.

Apart from legume and grain crops, he also relies on buffel grass which, moisture-permitting, grows in vast quantities on the black soil and scrub country covering Bendemeer Pastoral Co.

“Normally buffel would be growing here by now,” Mr Burnett said.

“With this heavy soil there has been no growth at all.

“A lot of the feed you can see is 12 months old.”

Last year Bendemeere received 16 inches but cattle have been relying on vital nourishment from a surplus of licks.

“Hopefully I can forget about that now,” Mr Burnett said.

Even though Mr Burnett is hoping for more rain, he has received substantially higher falls than most producers in the Clermont area.

With rain expected to continue Mr Burnett will be able to put more energy into breeding program.

In a rotational program, Brahman, Charolais and Simmental bulls and put over Braford cows.

Euro bulls are then put over three quarters of the progeny.

Mr Burnett focuses on selling his cattle to the meatworks at Dinmore and Rockhampton and producing Jap Ox and heavy trade females.