7.3 Relevant studies from the Burdekin and northern Australia
The following offers a look at relevant local , regional and industry-specific studies .
7.3.1 2002 Burdekin landholder survey by CSIRO As part of compiling a socio-economic profile of the Burdekin catchment to inform the role of regional NRM , Greiner et al ( 2003 ) conducted a landholder survey which aimed to measure social and economic indicators to ascertain the likelihood of adoption of BMPs ( then termed ‘ NRM practices ’). The survey had 82 responses with 14 being from the BBB catchment . Key messages from the survey were :
• There was widespread stated adoption of what would be considered good grazing management practices but very little implementation of environmental practices such as the management of riparian and native vegetation .
• On most properties , management decisions were made by the owner / manager in consultation with other family members . Consultative management was particularly high in the BBB meaning adoption decisions can be more complex .
• Respondents in the BBB tended to be younger compared to other areas , favouring adoption of innovation .
• In the BBB , adjustment of stocking rates and fencing off existing ( and new ) riparian buffer zones were regarded as the BMPs with highest environmental benefits .
• BBB respondents rated barriers to adoption of BMPs similar to respondents elsewhere , namely :
▪ Important impediments included operational and financial constraints , particularly those caused by climate variability , and uncertainty about the future .
▪ Respondents did think that lack of science or information , or a lack of skills on their properties or a lack of local leadership constrained ( more ) adoption .
• When asked about effective mechanisms for supporting implementation of BMPs , BBB respondents in particular favoured :
▪ education , training , extension and research including technical and applied management courses , environmental management courses , on-property demonstration sites and more research ;
▪ property management planning ;
▪ financial incentives ; and
▪ regulatory approaches and cross compliance arrangements .
7.3.2 BBB landholder survey by Greiner and Lankester ( 2006 ) Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 24 landholders ( family operations ) in the BBB to explore adoption of grazing best management practices . The research particularly looked at the role of farm debt as a driver of ( non ) adoption of grazing BMPs . It ascertained that graziers with more debt ( 1 ) carried more cattle than they would ideally want to carry because of loan servicing commitments and ( 2 ) tended to be more reluctant to reduce stock numbers during drought .
Empirical evidence to support this theory was found by conducting further analysis of the data of the 2002 Burdekin landholder survey . There was a statistically significant relationship between farm equity and implementation of some grazing BMPs . In particular , landholders with higher equity were significantly more inclined to adjust stock numbers to pasture condition .
Incentives suggested by BBB landholders to overcome debt-induced financial barriers included :
• rate and rent relief
• grants
• stewardship payments
• interest subsidies
• subsidies for purchase of machinery and herbicides , and to attend courses and field days
• farm management deposits
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