Successful Burdekin Tender project wraps up after five years
Between 2017 and 2022 , the Reef Trust Tenders – Burdekin project resulted in 34 cane enterprises reducing nitrogen application annually by 1241 tonnes across 75 farms , covering an area of 7504 hectares .
This amounts to a 19.29 % reduction in fertiliser applied , almost double the contracted reduction of 9.81 % — without any measurable impact on cane yield . The reduction in surplus nitrogen not only reduced input costs , but in many cases increased CCS ( sugar content ) while protecting the reef from the impacts of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen and associated greenhouse gas emissions .
Under the project , growers proposed trialling ways to reduce fertiliser use and put a price on the cost of making the change . Trials included closely matching fertiliser inputs to crop requirements and using technology to apply fertiliser as needed .
The growers committed to reducing nitrogen application and received grant payments to mitigate the perceived financial risk of lower yields .
The Burdekin Tenders project was funded by the Australian Government ’ s Reef Trust .
Burdekin grower Damien Michielin saved money on fertiliser without losing production .
He said there was “ no way ” he would put his fertiliser rates back up when the contract finished , but he would wait at least a couple of years before experimenting with even lower rates , “ just to be sure ”.
“ It ’ s not just about the money saved , it ’ s the right thing to do [ applying less nitrogen ],”
Damien said .
“ If you don ’ t have to put that much on , why would you ?”
2021-2022 – NQ DRY TROPICS YEAR IN REVIEW PAGE 19