Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation

Farm management system Dairying Better ´n´ Better for Tomorrow

Dairying Better ´n´ Better for Tomorrow has been adopted as the Queensland dairy industry´s farm management system (FMS). The program is conducted on a sub-catchment basis with 10-15 enterprises participating in each farmer group.

A self-assessment tool helps farmers identify their on-farm NRM priorities and benchmark their current farm practices. The priority issues are addressed through a three-part workshop, which includes information on management practices.

The project provides an officer to work with dairy farmers to improve enterprise profitability and sustainability, and help dairy farmer groups along the east coast of Queensland.

FMS officer: Sarah Childs.

FMS officer Ryan Taylor

Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland (NGIQ)

Production nursery farm management systems (FMS) in North Queensland

The NGIQ´s FMS program combines the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia Best Management Practice, EcoHort® - Environmental Management System, Integrated Pest Management and BioSecure HACCP programs to deliver a holistic guide to business sustainability.

The FMS program is based on the continuous improvement or adaptive management cycle. Production nurseries receive on-ground support to implement change management through external auditing, technical advice and property action planning.

Production nurseries are supported in:

• crop/growing media hygiene and pest and disease management
• transport, storage, use and application of pesticides
• general site management, including occupational health and safety
• environment and NRM plus on-farm biosecurity strategies.

The PMSI project provides an officer in northern Queensland to help production nurseries implement the FMS.

FMS officer: Ryan Taylor.

Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Group (MWNRM)

Property management systems in the O´Connell River and Bakers Creek Catchments of the Mackay Whitsunday region

The MWNRM project was completed on 30 June 2009. It supported the uptake of grower-orientated decision tools and processes to progress, map and report on improved practices across the cane industry in the Mackay Whitsunday region.

This project was linked to existing and proposed industry, regional and government initiatives to provide a coordinated approach to implementing farm management systems (FMS) in the region.

The proposal provided an officer in Mackay to help growers adopt management best practices. A working group of growers from the region and members of key partner organisations provided feedback and direction during delivery of the project.

FMS officer: Raylene Hansen.

Canegrowers Isis Limited (CANEGROWERS Isis)

Enhancement of on-farm profitability and sustainability through area-wide engagement

The project was developed by CANEGROWERS Isis in partnership with the Isis Central Sugar Mill to assist growers improve their profitability, on-farm management of natural resources, encourage the adoption of BMP and provide a consistent approach to meeting statutory requirements.

The proposal provides an officer to help growers identify and develop systems for district-wide improvement, and implement activities such as training programs.

Importantly, the project will expand on the Isis Target 100 productivity initiative which is working towards the development of an integrated, grower-driven FMS.

FMS officer: Stephen Ginns.

FMS officer Avril Robinson

Burdekin Productivity Services Limited

Farm management systems (FMS) for irrigated agriculture in the Lower Burdekin

Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS) Limited provides agricultural services and technical advice to growers in North Queensland's Burdekin cane-growing region to maximise their farm productivity, profitability and sustainability.

The BPS Limited project was completed on 30 June 2009 and focused on creating a holistic farm management support system for intensive irrigated agriculture within the Lower Burdekin (sugar cane, fruit and vegetables).

The project provided an officer to help growers identify gaps in their FMS, provide education to develop knowledge and skills, and complete Land and Water Management Plans.

FMS officer: Avril Robinson.

Pittsworth FMS officer Jason Huggins

AgForce Grains

Grains best management practice

The project provides two officers, one in Central Queensland (Biloela) and the other in southern Queensland (Pittsworth), to work with grain producers, industry and regional NRM groups to develop and implement practical, on-farm assessment and practice change tools for the Queensland grains industry.

The grains BMP tool will be a voluntary tool for producers to use for self-assessing and benchmarking their operations.

The tool will be linked to the activities of regional NRM groups, and engage with stakeholders to promote the roll-out of the BMP at the farm level.

FMS officers: Jason Huggins and Rod Collins.

Mary River Catchment Coordination Association (MRCCA)

Growing sustainable agricultural precincts in the Middle Mary and Kin Kin

MRCCA operates on behalf of a consortium of local grower groups including Gympie Pack-House Group (linked to the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers), Gympie branch of the Queensland Dairy Organisation, Gympie Macadamia Best Practice Group, and Gympie and District Beef Liaison Group.

The project will follow the FarmFLOW Framework to respond to the multiple, intensive farming systems that occur in residential, recreational and conservation land areas. The focus will be on areas of high-value production in the lower Mary River catchment.

The project will include an officer to help set-up best practice farmer groups to implement property management systems. Producers will have the opportunity to implement improved soil, land and water management practices, as well as participate in grower trials and attend demonstration sites.

FMS officer: Adam Logan.

Lockyer Valley PMSI project

Profitable and sustainable intensive production systems in the Lockyer and Fassifern Valleys

The production systems for vegetables in the Lockyer Valley are diverse. Through this project, cropping and vegetable businesses will be supported to develop and implement world´s best management practices for ongoing profitable and sustainable production in the Lockyer Valley and Bremmer Catchment (Fassifern Valley).

As part of the Queensland Government investment in the South East's Healthy Waterways Strategy, the project will promote best management practice to maximise the efficient use of water and nutrients.

The project will provide an officer to work with growers, industry and stakeholder groups to identify gaps in current systems and monitor the economic and environmental impact of new management practices. Participatory approaches will be aligned to the FarmFLOW area-wide management approach.

FMS officer: Julie O´Halloran.

FMS officer Claire Ellis

Flower Association of Queensland Incorporated with the Turf Producers Association of Queensland

A comprehensive property management system for the turf and cut flower sectors has been developed

There are many turf and cut-flower producers in Queensland, with most businesses in the state's South East. This project will underpin the future sustainability and profitability of these sectors.

An officer has been provided to help producers develop new business practices in South East Queensland that will address production management and environmental best practice.

The project aims to encourage up to 50% of producers to adopt property management systems. Success will be measured through improved on-farm production practices.

FMS officer: Claire Ellis