
The Plane Creek and Mackay Productivity Boards, CANEGROWERS and Farmacist collectively worked with 239 sugarcane farmers across the Mackay Whitsunday region in the inaugural year of the Reef Programme.
Reef Programme is the successor to the Australian Government’s very successful Reef Rescue program. Like Reef Rescue the program, facilitated by Reef Catchments, is designed to improve the quality of water leaving agricultural lands in the Great Barrier Reef Regions. In our region funding is provided to sugarcane producers and graziers to improve nutrient and chemical management.
While funding for this region is smaller than what was received through Reef Rescue, Reef Catchments has worked with the sugarcane industry to design a program that delivers more than a simple grants program.
Participating landholders are provided with a three-year property planning service that aims to improve nutrient and chemical efficiency on farm resulting in economic and environmental savings. Precision Planning Consultants within Plane Creek Productivity Services, Mackay Area Productivity Services, CANEGROWERS Proserpine, Sugar Services Proserpine and Farmacist are working with sugarcane growers to develop plans that are suitable for the individual growers. Consultants also update farm plans and provide a range of agronomic advice and support.
As well as the planning service Reef Programme provides funds for EC Mapping, soil testing (additional to regulation) and $500 per grower for initial precision agriculture planning improvements – e.g. nozzles/ new tank / equipment.