Umbrella approach delivers results
Between 2020 and 2024, more than 100 cane growers have improved irrigation, nutrient and pesticide management, resulting in widespread practice change and significant water quality improvements.
The $20.4m program supported cane farmers to improve management practices while improving the quality of water flowing into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
The Lower Burdekin Water Quality Program (LBWQP) encouraged sustainable farming practices to reduce dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and pesticides entering the Great Barrier Reef, while maintaining or improving profitability.
NQ Dry Tropics’ Sustainable Agriculture Program Manager Rob Hunt said involving local service providers in the design, planning and delivery of the regional program ensured maximum support and adoption.
Primary objectives were to:
- improve water quality;
- enhance agricultural practices;
- address barriers to land management practice improvement and stewardship;
- improve catchment function; and
- support the productivity and profitability of sugar cane farms in the Lower Burdekin.
To ensure regional consistency, cohesion, and collaboration, NQ Dry Tropics managed the program rollout, providing ongoing support to delivery partners and hosting regional activities. Involving local partners in the design, planning and delivery of the regional program helped ensure maximum support and adoption.
The program was also supported by Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Advisory Committee (BBIFMAC) who undertook comprehensive monitoring to verify water quality outcomes.
Key program activities included:
- implementing best management practices (BMPs) for fertiliser, pesticide, and irrigation;
- implementing an extensive water quality monitoring program to help verify improvements; and
- undertaking widespread stakeholder engagement.
BURDEKIN IRRIGATION PROJECT
Delivered by Sugar Research Australia with support from a consortium of stakeholders including: Agritech Solutions, Burdekin Productivity Services, Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Advisory Committee (BBIFMAC), Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Farmacist and James Cook University
PRECISION TO DECISION
Delivered by Farmacist
Precision To Decision delivered benefits to more than 100 growers in the Lower Burdekin, all of them implementing practice changes aimed at reducing Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen runoff from their farms.
MAJOR GRANTS
Delivered by NQ Dry Tropics supported by Sugar Research Australia and agronomy service providers Farmacist, AgriTech Solutions and Aglantis.
The project saved growers water, time and money… and reduced nutrient-laden runoff from farms at the same time.
PROJECT BLUEWATER 2
Delivered by Farmacist.
Most growers don’t like having to use pesticides on their crops, but without them, they would lose production. Project Bluewater investigated ways to optimise spraying, saving money for growers as a result.
