Burnett-Mary Horticulture 1-on-1 Delivering Tailored Solutions

Service: Agronomic assessment and consulting for Reef Water Quality

Client: Department of Environment and Science (DES) 

Location: Burnett Mary Region Queensland, (Bundaberg)

Start: October 2018

Completion: Jun 2021 

Verterra engaged with 60 horticultural growers (macadamia, avocado, sweet potato) in the Burnett-Mary Horticultural region, providing growers with detailed farm mapping (EM), soil analysis and agronomic advice designed to promote best outcomes in nutrient management and soil health for increased farm productivity.

Over the past decade substantial expansion in horticulture in the Burnett Mary Region particularly tree crops (Macadamias, Avocadoes) including conversion of cane and other horticultural enterprises to tree crops; has occurred primarily in the Burnett (96% increase) Burrum (384% increase) and Mary (144% increase) sub-catchments.

The Burnett Mary Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) has identified specific threats from three key water quality issues: (1) Total Suspended Sediment from grazing and stream bank erosion; (2) Dissolved nutrients from sugarcane, horticulture and urban land uses; and (3) Herbicides from sugarcane, horticulture and cropping land uses.

Verterra was engaged by the Department of Environment and Science to provide growers with the tools to improve farm productivity through nutrient management, while minimising sediment and nutrient loss into local waterways with benefits of helping to protect the Great Barrier Reef through improved water quality.