contracts, the influence of a contract on land security and the ability to exit a contract all affect uptake. Using choice modelling Greiner( 2015) found that higher payments, shorter contracts, flexibility within contracts and the ability to use external monitoring providers all increased the chance of participation. Whitten et al.( 2013) also highlights the need for high payments stating that this may help overcome the barrier imposed by the difficulty to trial many conservation activities. Greiner( 2015) also notes that there is great heterogeneity across landholders in terms of their properties, management styles and motivations and a conservation program made for the average will attract very few landholders. Whitten et al.( 2013) also note that there are a number of landholder factors that reduce participation in conservation programs notably organization of the farm and specialist skill that is required.
B. 4
BBB landholders and adoption
There are a number of studies that have focused on adoption of BMPs in the Burdekin from which some adoption factors for the BBB have been derived. Key findings from the literature note that:
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On most properties in the Burdekin and the BBB particularly, management decisions are made in consultation with other family members which can make the decision about adoption more complex.
Respondents in the BBB tended to be younger which should support greater adoption of management practices.
In the BBB, adjustment of stocking rates and fencing off existing and new riparian buffer zones were regarded as the BMPs with the highest environmental benefits.
Waterhouse et al.( 2017) also reports on a Greiner and Lankester survey( 2007) which assessed the impact of farm debt on adoption. This research found that graziers with more debt tended to carry more cattle than they would like due to loan servicing commitments and also tended to be reluctant to reduce stock number in a drought.
BBB respondents noted the following barriers to adoption: �
Operational and financial constraints( especially those caused by climate variability and uncertainty surrounding the future);
� Lack of science or information, lack of skills on property and lack of local leadership;
� Lack of motivation due to landholders being unaware of the decline in land condition, ignorant of better management and comfortable in their current situation;
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Perceived( more cattle = more money) and actual financial barriers( need to service high debts, lack of funds and resources in terms of labour and equipment);
Lack of time to think, plan, consider and implement new strategies; and
Lack of peer support and industry leadership( encouragement, mentoring and relevant demonstrations).
BBB landholders suggested mechanisms to overcome current barriers to adoption which included:
76 | Landholders driving change: Exploring new incentives