THE efforts of farmers in working to protect the Great Barrier Reef have been recognised at the 2015 Australian Government Reef Program Awards.
The awards recognise work that reduces off-farm impact on the Great Barrier Reef and were held in conjunction with the 2015 Queensland Landcare Awards at the Reef Range and Red Dust Conference Dinner in Caloundra last night.
Winners
- Grazing: Shane and Amanda Watts, Collinsville.
- Grains: Royce and Laura Staier, Clermont.
- Horticulture: Craig and Jade Buchanan, Innisfail.
- Cane: Hill End Farms, Bundaberg.
- Dairy: Dennis Byrnes, Yungaburra.
Grazing winners Shane and Amanda Watts, Sonoma, Collinsville, are 12 months into a trial which sees up to 750 cattle grazing three, one hectare block during a day.
"We are trying to mimic nature where we have large herds of grazing animals moving quickly across the landscape," Mr Watts said.
"The cattle deliver concentrated manure and urine to a soil area and trample any old dead grass which is returned to enhance the soil.
"It has increased infiltration and certainly allowed us to better manage our way through this dry season."
The Watts run about 3000 cattle on their 14,000-hectare property and are working with NQ Dry Tropics and grazing industry consultant Rodger Savory to develop the grazing system.
Grain winners Royce and Laura Staier, Cudgee Park, Kilcummin, modified their 48-metre Goldacres self-propelled sprayer to maximise spray efficiency and eliminate overspray.
The Staiers worked with Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative.
They farm some 2800ha of their 8000ha grain and cattle business.
Horticulture winners Innisfail banana farmers Craig and Jade Buchanan actively and enthusiastically implemented best practice approaches to all their farming activities and shared their knowledge and experiences. The Buchannan’s environmental improvements are rooted in the principle that any land being farmed must improve each year, that diversity is restored, and beneficial, healthy microorganisms are allowed to do their job. This approach ensures zero run-off.
Cane winner Hill End Farms developed a Farm Risk Assessment Plan in 2010 after considering the potential impact of their farm on water quality. Hill End has retained nutrients within the rooting zone of the crop. It has significantly lessened the potential for sediment, nutrients and other farm inputs escaping the property and impacting the Reef.
Dairy winner Dennis Byrnes has connected liquid effluent to a solid set irrigation system and travelling irrigator. This use of effluent has reduced reliance on fertilisers, in turn reducing costs and greatly lessening the risk of nutrient rich water entering the local water way.
Queensland Farmers Federation president Joanne Grainger said the awards highlighted the role farmers played in land stewardship and the collaborative nature of the Australian Government Reef Program.
“The Australian Government Reef Program is successful because it works for mutually beneficial outcomes for both farms and the environment. There have been many worthwhile projects undertaken, and these awards allow us to showcase some of the great achievements,” Ms Grainger said.
“People are voluntarily working to reduce the runoff of nutrients, chemicals and sediment from their land so that we can protect the reef for future generations.”
Queensland Country Life was a sponsor of the Reef, Range and Red Dust Conference.
