You know you’re a good land manager, but do they?

Wednesday, 7 Mar 2012

North Queensland graziers have the chance to prove their critics wrong and demonstrate good land management practices by taking part in a survey of reef region landholders.

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) is surveying graziers to gauge how effective their on-farm practices are in protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

This joint initiative between AgForce and DEEDI began in January and has already surveyed more than 100 property owners, with the data being used to develop an annual industry benchmark for the Government's ReefPlan project.

AgForce Reef Rescue principal project officer Marie Vitelli said this is a great opportunity for graziers to show the wider community they are good land stewards and are adopting sustainable on-farm practices to improve water quality outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef.

"The results of these surveys will be hard evidence that cattle producers are sustainable and progressive and will help silence critics who say graziers don't care about the environment or their country," Mrs Vitelli said.

DEEDI Management Practice Adoption Manager Kev McCosker said while they have had a good response to the initial round of surveys – greater industry wide support from graziers is required.

"Information on Queensland's grazing industry practices will improve the delivery of research, development and extension services and will go towards evaluating how well the industry is faring in meeting ReefPlan targets," Mr McCosker said.

"The 2009 baseline report card found that average ground cover at the end of the dry season was 84%, likely due to a combination of good practices and better than average rainfall.

"Good pasture cover at the end of the dry season is important in reducing runoff during rain events. The 84% figure is well ahead of government targets of 50% by 2013."

DEEDI extension staff will be contacting graziers in the coming weeks about the survey which is strictly confidential, takes approximately 1.5-2 hours on property and covers grazing land management, herd management, animal health, extension needs and business management.

Graziers looking to evaluate their individual property's land management practices to identify property specific improvements can also take part in the Grazing BMP program, which is being rolled out in the Fitzroy catchment this year.
 
This program helps property owners benchmark across industry and develop action plans to improve the economic and environmental performance of their enterprise. For more information visit www.bmpgrazing.com.au or contact Matt Brown DEEDI on 0428104248.

For more information call Sue Carstens, DEEDI on (07) 5453 5831