The aim of the Resilient Landscapes in the Upper Burnett project was to provide on-ground support and extension activities to enable 40 producers across more than 7500ha to affirm and build on current knowledge, improve attitudes towards improvement and change and support producers in planning and putting into place management practices which will improve the strength and resilience of their land and their businesses in our variable climate.

The priority area for this project was the Upper Burnett.  This included the Three Moon, Nogo, Upper Burnett, Baywulla and St John catchments.

This project was funded by Queensland Government’s Natural Resources Recovery Program.

Ten producers in the Upper Burnett had the opportunity to improve their land management practices by developing Property Management Plans (PMP). All producers also had an on-farm visit from Eco-Rich Grazing to educate the producers in how to pasture budget and land condition assessments for their property, particularly for the winter season.  This grazing practice is vital for producers to better match stocking rate to carrying capacity which will in turn improve land condition over the long term. Therefore, all 10 producers improved their land management practice across 8326ha through undertaking pasture budgeting which will better help match stocking rate to carrying capacity.

Landholders were identified to undertake regenerative agriculture activities to improve soil health and condition. Three producers planted multispecies pastures over 67ha as a way of improving degraded soil, particularly increasing organic matter, and minimise the use of fertilisers and chemicals for weed control. Two landholders installed fencing and watering points to undertake time controlled grazing over 323ha.  The fencing and watering points on one property allowed the landholders to implement the grazing management strategies they learnt at the RCS Grazing for Profit school, specifically to be able to increase the amount of time they spell areas which are damaged or overgrazed and increase animal impact (increased stock density) for short periods to help regenerate damaged areas. The project also allows for improved landholder knowledge and skills on regenerative agriculture by attending a bus tour of properties using best management practices. 

And finally, 9 landholders with gully erosion issues were identified for one-on-one property visits by an erosion specialist John Day and site-specific erosion rehabilitation field plans were developed across 14 sites improving 71 ha.  The types of erosion rehabilitation activities included, battering banks, mulching and reseeding, fencing eroded areas, contour bank rebuilding, detention dam installation and whoa boy construction.  All projects were completed following the advice provided in their site-specific erosion rehabilitation plans.