NAVIGATING the drought has been one of the hardest challenges for graziers these past few years, but the Underwoods are progressing smoothly since their move to Wallumbilla this year.

Jenny and Craig Underwood, formerly of Eversleigh, finalised the move to Pine Hills in Wallumbilla a few months ago, having originally purchased the property as drought management strategy.

Ms Underwood said it was a “grand move” for the two of them.

“We purchased the property back in 2014 to store cattle down there – it was a way of keeping our stock without getting rid of them during the drought,” she said.

“Because of the effects of drought further north, we figured we’d make use of a bad situation to help keep the cattle we had on hand.”

The pair sold Eversleigh, totalling 24,281 hectares, last year to move closer to the saleyards.

Roger said there were no regrets about the big move, with one of the major benefits for the pair being the improved market conditions over the past few months.

“The difference between the market now is that it has definitely picked up since the drought, and all the cattle mostly come down south anyway,” he said.

“It’s a big step up when cattle go for an average of $1800, when it would only fetch $450 a couple of years back.”

But things seem to be going smoothly for the Underwoods, with the change in grassland conditions and cattle supply spelling good things for the future.

“Nowadays, it’s a pleasure to sell here,” Roger said.