Glencore backs BBB graziers

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Terry McCosker

BOWEN and Collinsville landholders have a unique opportunity to attend an RCS Grazing Clinic run by internationally acclaimed Terry McCosker.

The clinic, sponsored by Glencore, is a practical hands-on workshop to help landholders develop skills to become grass managers. They will also gain an understanding of the six essential grazing management principles and how to develop strategies for profitable property planning and overall improved grazing management.

The clinic is being hosted by NQ Dry Tropics’ Landholders Driving Change project, a large-scale water quality and land improvement project that is being rolled out in the Bowen Broken Bogie (BBB) catchment to tackle erosion and improve land management, productivity, and reef water quality.

Glencore Community Relations Manager Craig Strudwick said Glencore welcomed the opportunity to work with the agricultural and farming sectors.

“Only 7 per cent of the land we own is used for active mining purposes; almost 80 per cent of our land supports cattle grazing and cropping,” Mr Strudwick said.

“We therefore understand the challenges faced by graziers and farmers, and we’re delighted to be able to provide an opportunity for local landholders to learn from an expert like Terry McCosker.”

Mr Strudwick said Glencore was also working with NQ Dry Tropics on improving land management and tackling erosion in the Burdekin region.

“We’re not only providing $150,000 in funding for landscape remediation, but also offering local landholders insights into the rehabilitation techniques we use across our mining operations,” he said.

Landholders Driving Change project manager Andrew Yates said NQ Dry Tropics valued the tangible support offered by Glencore as a corporate contribution to the Bowen Broken Bogie community.

“NQ Dry Tropics is very pleased Glencore is supporting the Landholders Driving Change project,” Mr Yates said.

“One aim is to deliver appropriate and quality training and extension services that supports landholders strategic decision making.

“Landholders recognise that any educational opportunity offering new ideas and options to enable better decision-making around drought, land management and profitability is well worth participating in.

“Another aim is to evaluate the impact of gully remediation options to underpin future investor, stakeholder and public confidence in the impact of erosion control projects on water quality, cost-effectiveness and agricultural production,” he said.

Landholders Driving Change is a Burdekin Major Integrated project funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.

The clinic will be held at the Collinsville Community Centre on 23-25 October. To register, contact Landholders Driving Change Land Management Support Coordinator Rodger Walker on 0408 828 276 or rodger.walker@nqdrytropics.com.au.