Supporting graziers to make land management practice changes

Dr Ian Braithwaite, Sheridan Callcott, Ness Allen, and Roxanne Morgan of DAF (Mackay), at back.

Grazing enterprises occupy 92 per cent of land in the BBB region. The Grazier Support program aims to provide all local graziers with education, training, technical support and incentives to help them adopt improved land management practices.  

LDC built a framework for greater participation and more organised allocation of resources, resulting in stronger alignment between on-ground activities and, ultimately, better outcomes for tackling erosion, land management and improved water quality. 

The broad mix of actions is creating a community of practice that is accelerating learning, skills and knowledge and improving water quality outcomes.

Services are grouped into several broad areas:

  • providing property mapping, and training activities designed to encourage graziers to get involved — with a particular focus on first-timers; 
  • engaging with and supporting landholders and mangers to undertake activities to develop their skills and knowledge and implement practice change including working with individuals and fostering peer demonstrations and cluster groups;
  • delivering a comprehensive technical advice and support program that works with individuals and groups; and
  • supporting landholders to adopt industry best practice.

This has been achieved through a wide range of activities, including:

 

  • forage budgeting;
  • land condition assessment training;
  • soil testing;
  • weed management;
  • washdown training;
  • biosecurity events;
  • grazing workshops;
  • grass ID workshops;
  • biodiversity assessments;
  • property mapping and planning; and
  • opportunities to tap directly into holistic management and regenerative agriculture practices.

This support aligns with existing local initiatives in the catchment to avoid duplication of work or investments.

Colin Hammond demonstrates the ReproScan system to a rapt audience. 

Mt Aberdeen grazier Steve Norman enjoys a joke during a classroom session.

The work so far…

Between July 2017 – June 2020:

 

  • 122 events were held with more than 1800 attendees.
  • There was a focus on soil health, so two BBB tours were organised, and  Dr Christine Jones and David Hardwick led the training workshops.
  • 10 peer-to-peer cluster groups were formed, they were self-directed, and supported by extension staff, to help deliver skills and knowledge.
  • NQ Dry Tropics partnered with  Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) to develop two Producer Demonstration Sites in the BBB, focussed on:
    • Demonstrating productive, regenerative Burdekin grazing practices.
    • Cooperative, integrated weed management in the BBB catchment.

 

  • 40,000 ha of on-ground practice change was completed with grazing properties. This included:
    • 46km of fencing for improved grazing management.
    • 32km of pipeline to improve water distribution to spread grazing pressure.

Focus on ground cover

Stewardship

What’s next?