Increasing Carrying Capacity: How Regain 400 Transformed One Beef Cattle Operation in Queensland
Increasing Carrying Capacity: How Regain 400 Transformed One Beef Cattle Operation in Queensland
For beef cattle producers Len and Kate Cover and their family, managing their 5,000-acre property at Hannaford has been a lifelong commitment. Now in his late 60s, Len has spent over 40 years in agriculture, breeding and selling weaners while ensuring the land stays productive and sustainable.
One of the biggest challenges on the property has been controlling regrowth of brigalow—a tough native species that drains soil moisture, blocks sunlight, and makes mustering cattle a nightmare.
Discovering Granular Products
Around ten years ago, Len came across Granular Products, an Australian-owned company specialising in granular herbicides for woody weed and invasive grass control, and decided to give their pellets a try.
“Pellets mean you don’t lose all your grass straight away,” Len explains. “You might miss out on one rainfall’s worth, but it comes back fast. You get better grass regrowth than with other methods.”
Since 2017, Len has been using Regain 400, a granular herbicide containing tebuthiuron, applied aerially across the property. Early trials showed strong control of brigalow suckers while allowing grass to recover quickly.
“The first applications gave us a quick win after rain, and it kept working. Nothing’s ever 100%, but we saw real, long-lasting results,” he notes.
The Difference It Makes
The difference has been remarkable. Len and Kate have more than doubled their carrying capacity on the country that has been treated with Regain 400. What was once dense, unmanageable country is now open, productive pasture.
The herbicide also helps suppress other native shrubs like limebush and false sandlewood, allowing pasture grasses to thrive and day-to-day management to run smoothly.
“Using Regain 400 has increased the land value by improving productivity and opening up country we couldn’t use before,” Len says.
“It’s cost-effective, gentle on desirable species, and lets the land recover naturally. We can spot-treat as needed, but often we don’t need to intervene for five years.”
Trust and Experience Matter
For Len, the relationship with Granular Products is just as important as the results.
“I deal with Josh, one of their Technical Sales Specialists; he knows the country, understands farmers, and brings real hands-on experience,” Len says.
This trust in both the product and the team has made a long-term commitment to sustainable land management easier and more reliable.
Advice for Fellow Graziers
His advice for others? Patience and preparation.
“Don’t expect results overnight. Test the method first, understand how it works, and be confident in your approach,” he says.
“It’s bang for your buck—you’re improving the productivity of what you have rather than buying more land.”
For graziers looking to reclaim productive pasture from tough regrowth, Len Cover’s story illustrates the value of persistence, smart herbicide choices, and trusted partnerships.
“The results speak for themselves; we’ve opened up the country, lifted our carrying capacity, and made the property much easier to manage.”
