• 2015-2018 ( Reef Trust I ) Saving our Soils - Promotion of A Class Practices supports graziers to undertake planning and implement production system changes to improve their economic , social and environmental performance . Includes :
▪ Two properties ( 54,711ha ) are taking a journey to profitability through extension , training and incentive support .
• 2016-2018 ( Reef Trust II ) Point Source Sediment Management in the Burdekin Dry Tropics Region supports graziers to implement cost-effective , strategic on-ground actions to reduce sediment losses . Includes :
▪ Three BBB properties ( 77,000ha ) undertaking gully remediation approaches using the Gully Toolbox
• 2017-2018 ( DNRM regional NRM funding ) Paddock to Reef Project is an Integrated Monitoring , Modelling and Reporting Program delivered in collaboration with governments , industry bodies , regional natural resource management bodies , landholders and research organisations . All reef related management practice change data is reported through this program .
• 2017-2019 ( Reef Trust III ) Reef Alliance Program - Growing a Great Barrier Reef provides planning , extension and incentives ( Reef Water Quality Grants and Innovation grants ) for reef water quality outcomes . BBB is priority catchment .
• 2017-2022 ( Reef Trust IV ) Stomping out Sediment in the Burdekin - livestock impact for gully remediation building and expanding on the Building Resilience in the Burdekin grazing industry project through innovative grazing approaches and cost-effective gully remediation trials . BBB is priority catchment .
Grazier participation The following summary is based on NQ Dry Tropics Sustainable Agriculture Program engagement in the BBB region including :
• In recent years , engagement and knowledge / skills-building events conducted in the BBB during past programs have been well attended :
▪ 2014-2015 : 10 events conducted , 410 attendees , 297 graziers from 177 enterprises ; and
▪ 2015-2016 : 4 events conducted , 165 attendees , 120 graziers from 57 enterprises .
• Of graziers in the BBB catchment , 63 per cent have engaged in Grazing BMP selfassessment , with 97 per cent of participants completing all five modules .
• Under a series of water quality investment programs , landholders in the BBB catchment received grant funding for on-ground works . To receive grants , graziers had to co-invest and contribute cash or in-kind investment costs ( between 30-70 %) based on a sliding scale for public / private benefit .
• Between 2009 and 2016 , 28 Reef Water Quality grants were provided to 20 landholders for work on 3,074 km2 of land .
DAF extension focus
• The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries ( DAF ) has conducted grazing research , development , extension and training programs in the BBB catchment for over 20 years , including :
▪ Information days , workshops , one-to-one , and on-property field days covering all aspects of the beef business ( grazing land management , animal nutrition , animal production , and business management );
▪ On-property demonstration sites and the Wambiana Grazing Trial ;
▪ Catchment information days designed to bring reef science to beef producers ;
▪ Hillslope and gully remediation design , land reclamation training , grazing land management and agronomy extension support to improve land condition and water quality ;
▪ Technical assessment of Reef Trust producer projects for NQ Dry Tropics ; and
▪ Support to a range of Australian Government and Queensland Government funded projects .
• DAF is a partner of the Grazing BMP Program with Fitzroy Basin Association and AgForce ( 2013 – present ). DAF and NQ Dry Tropics deliver the Grazing BMP program within the Burdekin NRM region .
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