PADDOCK TO REEF
WEB-BASED PROJECTOR TOOL HELPS GROWERS FORECAST WATER QUALITY BENEFITS
Our Sugar Team began using the Paddock to Reef Projector tool to help growers forecast the benefit of investing in farming practice change . Project Officer Michael Hobbs said growers now had the opportunity to immediately see predicted outcomes of proposed changes .
“ The tool helps bridge the gap between farming practices and reef water quality . Growers are asking questions they may not normally consider , and they now better understand the practice change adoption process ,” he said .
Burdekin grower Gordon Wood said the tool predicted the environmental benefits of further improving his irrigation efficiency and the associated grant funding that could be leveraged .
“ The projector has shown me that effectively managing both nutrient and irrigation practices provides significant additional water quality benefits ,” he said .
NQ Dry Tropics Paddock to Reef Project Officer Jade Fraser said the projector modelled nutrient , pesticide and sediment loads for both before and after the proposed changes . “ This means we get more bang for every funding dollar – a win win for the farmer , the government , and reef water quality ,” he said .
Paddock to Reef is funded through the Queensland Natural Resource Investment Program .
Burdekin growers Heath and Don Salter
AUTOMATED IRRIGATION – CONVENIENT AND GOOD FOR THE BOTTOM LINE
We continued working with growers to implement automated irrigation as part of the Growing a Great Barrier Reef project , funded by the Australian Government ' s Reef Trust . As a result , more than 1000ha of cane lands is now irrigated automatically . This is saving growers time and money , while reducing levels of runoff to the reef .
Growers Heath and Don Salter installed automated irrigation on their property , managed by a smartphone . They no longer need to get up in the middle of the night to turn on the irrigation , and there are financial benefits too . Previously they struggled to pump for long enough to push water through undersized pipes to ensure each block was properly irrigated .
“ With automation , we have been able to get back what we lost in friction .”
Burdekin grower Heath Salter .
Sugarcane Project Officer Michael Hobbs with Burdekin Grower Gordon Wood
Because it doesn ’ t matter at what time of the day or night the pumps start , they have been able to reduce the area being watered in each set , increasing water pressure and flow rate , while at the same time reducing wear and tear .
“ The pumps aren ’ t flogging themselves trying to get pressure out through that undersized pipe , so our power costs have come down and that alone is a big saving ,” he said .
Paddock to Reef Project Officer Jade Fraser
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