GRASS program gets cover for another three years
A program aimed at helping beef producers improve land condition, reduce soil loss and improve productivity has been extended for a further three years. NQ Dry Tropics can take the guess work out of the application process and help you to apply.
The Queensland Government is providing $8.68m through the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program to deliver the Grazing Resilience and Sustainable Solutions (GRASS) program from 2023-2026.
This is good news for Burdekin graziers. GRASS supports graziers with areas of poor or degraded land condition to develop and implement a tailor-made action plan for land management.
Graziers can apply to participate in GRASS and may be eligible to apply for incentive funding for works identified in their action plan for land management. This includes infrastructure improvements such as fencing, water troughs and erosion works.
Support will be provided for graziers to understand their obligations and access support to meet the reef protection regulations and have the opportunity to be acknowledged as low priority for compliance.
Burdekin graziers Stacey Kirkwood and Ian Collins are reaping the benefits from giving their land a rest through the GRASS program. They improved a scalded area from D condition to B condition in 18 months. Read their story here.
GRASS is funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and is delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Burnett Mary Regional Group, Fitzroy Basin Association and NQ Dry Tropics.
To find out more about the program contact Carleigh Drew on 4799 3592 or carleigh.drew@nqdrytropics.com.au
Diversion banks hold water and heal the landscape
Bowen grazier Bob Harris (pictured), of Glencoe, completed a project under GRASS.
He treated degraded areas on his property to improve water management and sediment capture.
A series of diversion banks (right) were installed to hold water in the landscape and improve water infiltration instead of running into an adjacent gully system.
The remediated area was 30 hectares. In the long-term Bob expects the diversion banks to allow the land to be repaired and healed, and to increase water infiltration.
He said he tweaked his grazing regime to help kickstart healing at the site, to promote vegetation growth.
Cattle were initially excluded from the area.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: