Farmers get on board Landcare trip

A group of farmers from Maroochy Landcare have found new ways to look after the land.

On a two day bus trip to the north Burnett late last year, the farmers learnt about biological control of weeds, cell grazing, erosion control, and using insects for pest control.

President of the Maroochy Landcare group Esma Armstrong, said that the trip was organised because many farmers found it difficult to get new information.

“Although they operate large properties in the Mary catchment, many of our members don’t actually live there,” she said.

“This makes it so much harder to keep up to date with new approaches to land management.”

She said valuable information was provided by the Smalls Creek Landcare group in Eidsvold on the biological control of Blue Heliotrope, while the Central Burnett Land Management Advisory Group showed the results of cell grazing and erosion control projects.

“We also had a very informative tour of the “Bugs for Bugs” laboratory at Mundubbera, where integrated pest management techniques have encouraged the reduction of pesticide use for citrus and grape growers,” she said.

Ms Armstrong said that with many farmers growing older and leaving the land, it was critical for younger farmers to be given guidance.

“The face-to-face advice you get from trips like these is really special – you can’t just read about it on the internet.”

“In fact, most people don’t like publicity – they just want to get on with the job.”

Ms Armstrong said that the trip also included a visit to the Cracow mine, Eidsvold Station, and Biggenden to see first hand Property Management Practices on larger holdings.

Another tour is planned for 2008. For more information, contact Maroochy Landcare by clicking here.

Maroochy Landcare farmers visited sites in the North Burnett

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