Forage Budgeting Project–Burdekin

Delivered by the Dalrymple Landcare Committee (DLC), this project provides forage budgeting training and support to graziers at the paddock-scale in the Burdekin region. Forage budgeting is a valuable land management tool to determine stocking rates to achieve better outcomes for pasture and soil condition, diet quality for cattle and better water quality for the Great Barrier Reef. Over this reporting period, the project has recruited and trained four graziers to deliver the forage budgeting service in the Upper Burdekin and they have so far worked with 24 graziers on properties totalling more than 450,000 hectares. Photo monitoring sites have also been established on properties. The approach and methods used in the Burdekin have been successfully taken up by Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative Limited in the Fitzroy through engagement with DLC and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries partners. The forage budgeting projects in the Burdekin and Fitzroy are funded by the Queensland Government’s Reef Water Quality Program.

In addition, the project has reported a number of social outcomes. The project is demonstrating that peer learning is effective because it allows landholders to share similar experiences and common experience has significant benefits. Graziers understand each other and the issues they face on a day-to-day basis. The peer-to-peer service implemented in the Upper Burdekin Rangelands is proving to be instrumental for boosting industry adoption of forage budgeting.

To find out more about the project, please visit the DLC forage budgeting service website.