Coastal Agriculture

Water Quality and Sugar

NQ Dry Tropics has a number of publications to help cane farmers improve water quality on their farms.

Reef Rescue ABCD Framework Brochure - Sugar
NQ Dry Tropics has produced an ABCD framework for cane farmers applying for Reef Rescue funding. It also acts as a good general guide to ABCD practices in our region.

This is a useful guide for farmers to measure themselves against old and new ways of doing things on the farm.

The brochure measures nutrient and pesticide management, soil health, water and record keeping activities against old practices (D), the code of practice (C), best management practices (B) and cutting edge practices (A).

It ties in with the Improving Water Quality Leaving Sugar Farms brochure.

Improving Water Quality Leaving Sugar Farms
This is a useful six-page brochure produced for cane farmers to improve water, herbicide, nutrient and sediment use.

The brochure supports the aims of the Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan.
 

Water Quality and Horticulture

Reef Rescue ABCD Framework Brochure - Horticulture
This guide has been written specifically for fruit and vegetable growers to measure their practices against old, current and new ones.

It evaluates soil, nutrient, pesticide and water management, planning and recording and machinery use against degrading (D), compliant (C), best practice (B) and cutting edge (A) practices.

It’s useful for farmers to gauge their level of compliance within the Reef Rescue scheme, increase profitability and reduce runoff.