‘ After working for 20 years in the Burdekin and in about 10 or 15 of
those years , we`ve been looking for the problem and now we`re looking for solutions . And I know the older I get , the less I know , and the more that the landholders are the specialists in that area . So I`m constantly learning , which is fabulous . And we are here to help measure the outcomes . The journey is not ours , it`s everyone`s here and they`re all doing it in their own special way . And I just love it . So yeah , I think it`s been a really nice two days . We`ve talked a lot about the solutions of landscape repair , and that it will take time , but it takes a village ( to get the job done ).
’
— Rebecca Bartley
‘ I`m keen to hear how NQ Dry Tropics plans to get this information out
to the broader grazing community and back to the funders . Reports can be confusing and complex for the layperson . This work is vital for the future to try and keep momentum moving forward , and it`s key to improve engagement and keep the positive flow through the benefit of this funding and the environment . Easily digestible information and data keeps the graziers , who are not necessarily aware of your world , in a positive mindset in being involved in this stuff , as opposed to maybe feeling like it`s a bit of a kick in the guts because so many reports come out highlighting results that suggest nothing`s happened in the industry when that`s just not true . We need to be telling the story about all the other stuff , like engagement and participation , that is happening .
’
— Leanne O`Sullivan
‘ Yes , I feel we need to communicate differently with the graziers that weren
’ t invited and the ones that aren ’ t getting engaged , why aren ’ t
they ? A lot of them might be younger and they can t bring their old fellow along . I don t know why it is but we need to
’ find a way to capture their imagination and
’ come on a journey .
’
— Dyan Hughes
‘ It was a good couple of days and I certainly learnt a lot about being
more respectful to the experiential or qualitative evidence of the producers . They certainly have credibility where they have a lot of grass across their properties .
’
— Paul Jones ( DAF ) after the event :
42
‘ I found the day at Strathalbyn worthwhile as an introduction to the trials
that have been undertaken in recent years . I was unaware of the extent of this project . Whilst we , as extension officers , seek clear messages around land condition and grazing and resting regimes , objective science is required to achieve robust results i . e . conclude statistically significant differences or otherwise . Involving CSIRO and DAF in the project was a notable accomplishment . The results re-iterated the costeffectiveness of resting areas and wet season spelling as a primary management change and I will add these trials to my collection of evidence supporting the move away from continuous grazing for erosion management . Also , the impacts of weed and wild animal associations