Extension through Grazing BMP: An integration of production and natural resource management

Abstract

The Grazing Best Management Practices (BMP) program is a voluntary self-assessment program that allows graziers to benchmark their current management practices against industry standards. Graziers can identify opportunities to achieve best management practice. In the Burdekin Catchment, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) supports Grazing BMP with an extension project that has a whole-of-business approach to achieve reef water quality outcomes. The DAF extension and support project has documented evidence of both intent to change and actual practice change as a result of the extension activities across 272 beef businesses. This is in contrast to responses to regulatory programs such as the Environmental Risk Management Plan (ERMP) requirement previously applied in the region. Even though 265 beef businesses in the Burdekin Catchment completed the ERMP requirement there is no documented evidence of intent or actual practice change taking place to improve reef water quality using this legislative approach.