Nov2010_Better farming _ better profits for Queensland
Dairy, grains and sugar producers throughout Queensland have embraced new farm management systems to increase profits while looking after the environment.
Over the past three years, the Queensland Government has been working with industry to roll out farm management system programs with the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO), AgForce and CANEGROWERS Isis.
Sustainable Agriculture Director with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) Lea Diffey said these programs were now showing bottom line results for producers.
“The programs provided training and advice on implementing new farming systems that suit the business and sustainably use natural resources,” Ms Diffey said.
“An economic analysis of the Fitzroy basin for the grains program found that using improved production practices could boost profitability by up to $90 per hectare per year.
It also showed that current use of improved farming practices delivered $41.6 million per annum in natural resource management benefits to the Fitzroy catchment.
Those benefits included better soil health, reduced loss of sediment, nutrients and pesticides, and improved water quality in the rivers and reef.”
Ms Diffey said the take up of the training had been widespread.
Through a partnership with DEEDI, AgForce and the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA), the grains program was delivered to 169 businesses who manage 189 enterprises, covering 187,210 hectares of Queensland’s grain production area,” she said.
The QDO increased its delivery of best practice management training to reach 30 per cent of the industry, while also improving access to training on the Darling Downs through funding by the Condamine Alliance.
CANEGROWERS Isis worked with the Burnett Mary Regional Group and Isis central sugar mill to provide growers with workshops, field days and bus tours to increase understanding of improved management practices, and also facilitated funding assistance for training opportunities.”
The CANEGROWERS program in Isis is complete, however Farm Management System training will continue to be delivered by the Isis team.
The dairy and grains programs are being delivered by industry and expanding into other areas of the state.
“The dairy program will continue in reef catchment areas with funding through the Queensland Government’s Q2 Coasts and Country program,” Ms Diffey said.
“The grains program will continue in central Queensland supported by the FBA and funded through the Australian Government Reef Rescue program.
Options are also being explored for delivering the grains program in southern Queensland.
The model that was used for delivering the grains program through web-based tools and self assessment is currently being used to develop a best practice management program for the grazing industry.
The success of these programs demonstrates that we can sustainably farm our natural resources to achieve both productivity and profitability for Queensland agribusiness.”
The three programs were supported under the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation’s (DEEDI) Property Management Systems Initiative.
Sustainable Agriculture Director with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) Lea Diffey said these programs were now showing bottom line results for producers.
“The programs provided training and advice on implementing new farming systems that suit the business and sustainably use natural resources,” Ms Diffey said.
“An economic analysis of the Fitzroy basin for the grains program found that using improved production practices could boost profitability by up to $90 per hectare per year.
It also showed that current use of improved farming practices delivered $41.6 million per annum in natural resource management benefits to the Fitzroy catchment.
Those benefits included better soil health, reduced loss of sediment, nutrients and pesticides, and improved water quality in the rivers and reef.”
Ms Diffey said the take up of the training had been widespread.
Through a partnership with DEEDI, AgForce and the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA), the grains program was delivered to 169 businesses who manage 189 enterprises, covering 187,210 hectares of Queensland’s grain production area,” she said.
The QDO increased its delivery of best practice management training to reach 30 per cent of the industry, while also improving access to training on the Darling Downs through funding by the Condamine Alliance.
CANEGROWERS Isis worked with the Burnett Mary Regional Group and Isis central sugar mill to provide growers with workshops, field days and bus tours to increase understanding of improved management practices, and also facilitated funding assistance for training opportunities.”
The CANEGROWERS program in Isis is complete, however Farm Management System training will continue to be delivered by the Isis team.
The dairy and grains programs are being delivered by industry and expanding into other areas of the state.
“The dairy program will continue in reef catchment areas with funding through the Queensland Government’s Q2 Coasts and Country program,” Ms Diffey said.
“The grains program will continue in central Queensland supported by the FBA and funded through the Australian Government Reef Rescue program.
Options are also being explored for delivering the grains program in southern Queensland.
The model that was used for delivering the grains program through web-based tools and self assessment is currently being used to develop a best practice management program for the grazing industry.
The success of these programs demonstrates that we can sustainably farm our natural resources to achieve both productivity and profitability for Queensland agribusiness.”
The three programs were supported under the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation’s (DEEDI) Property Management Systems Initiative.
For further information on the programs contact DEEDI on 13 25 23.
