Sorghum farming is thriving in outback Queensland, where Scott Holcombe has transformed his 4,000-hectare dryland crop into a successful venture. Located near Corfield, about 1,400 kilometers northwest of Brisbane, Holcombe's farm is situated in an area known for its challenging climate, characterized by long droughts and variable seasonal conditions. Despite these challenges, he has turned what he describes as his least productive land into his most fruitful by cultivating sorghum, which he uses to feed his cattle.

Holcombe aims to expand his sorghum production by tapping into the Great Artesian Basin, one of the largest underground freshwater reservoirs in the world. "It would be game changing in a very positive direction," he stated. Currently, his dryland sorghum relies on seasonal rainfall from November to April to maintain soil moisture, which is crucial for survival during the dry months. However, he noted that the nutritional value of the crop decreases significantly during this period.

Securing a water license for irrigation during the dry season would allow Holcombe to enhance both the quantity and quality of his crop. "To irrigate in the winter is the perfect time because we don't have the huge evaporation that time of year, as opposed to summer," he explained. He believes that this change could not only benefit his farm but also significantly impact the broader cropping industry in the region. "What that would do for towns would be astronomical … there's huge potential," he added.

Landholders must apply for a license or permit to access water from the Great Artesian Basin, which contains an estimated 65 million gigaliters of underground water. Currently, there are about 6,500 licenses and 21 water permits allocated under the Water Act 2000 and the Great Artesian Basin and other regional aquifers (GABORA) water plan. The Queensland government is reviewing the GABORA plan, with a new version expected to be implemented by late 2027.

Water licenses in Queensland are managed by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRMW). The most common licenses are stock and domestic licenses, which ensure that graziers have water for their livestock and homes. For irrigation or large volumes of water, landholders need a volumetric water license or water allocation. Hamish Butler, executive director of the Department of Water's southern region, noted that obtaining water licenses for irrigation can be challenging. "Water licenses cannot generally be granted," he said.

The primary method for accessing water allocations is through trading, where individuals with existing allocations sell them to others. Butler explained, "It allows water to move around towards the activities where people need it the most."

As the cropping industry expands, interest in water allocations is increasing in areas not typically associated with agriculture. Butler mentioned, "We are seeing a need to open up that trading framework." The upcoming changes to the GABORA water plan will include a review of trading rules to assess their appropriateness and potential for increased flexibility.

During the dry winter months, Holcombe's cattle are gaining weight from the dry sorghum crop, achieving weight gains of 1.2 kilograms per day. He emphasized the importance of summer rainfall for his business, noting that without it, weight gains can drop to just 200 grams per day without feed supplements. Holcombe believes that having access to nutrient-rich sorghum year-round would significantly advance his operations. "If you get a really good season, you can grow it 3 meters high and that thick you can't walk into it," he said. "When it doesn't rain, you don't grow anything."