FBA: The Brownlie's journey a lesson for others Andrew and Tali Brownlie of Andalia Pastoral are quintessential next generation producers who have developed a taste for leveraging relationships and  resources to minimise risk and maximise return. Their success didn’t happen overnight, and their story is not dissimilar to other dynamic producers who’ve travelled a similar journey to arrive at the same destination. In fact, the Brownlies are an example of curious but interdependent operators who have accepted advice and guidance from FBA and other organisations, implemented what they learnt, made some mistakes along the way, and have come out on top. Part of FBA’s philosophy is to initially work in small increments, walking shoulder to shoulder with the land manager until they achieve a level of confidence that empowers them to investigate other initiatives and fund their own investments. Andrew and Tali took part in the Resource Consulting Services Grazing for Profit course, closely followed by a KLR Marketing workshop and then a Low Stress Stock handling program. Armed with new tools, formulas, planning skills and networks, the Brownlie’s looked at opportunities differently and assessed them with fresh eyes. FBA’s work with the Brownlies has been a team [...]

Cotton Australia, CRDC, ANSTO & UNSW: R&D the key to a sustainable cotton industry The Australian cotton industry has been managing on-farm sustainability for decades, underpinned by investments in research and development, the industry’s Best Management Practices program (myBMP), grower adoption of improved practices and innovation, and active participation in global sustainability programs. Today, Australian cotton growers produce more cotton on less land, with more efficient water use and with less impact on the environment than ever before. Through Cotton Australia and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), the industry has committed to undertaking: Sustainability reporting every five years against agreed targets (set over five-yearly intervals from 2019 to 2029 to align with the Australian Cotton Industry 2029 Vision). Stakeholder engagement on industry sustainability and opportunities for improvement, including via a formal stakeholder forum. Independent assessments of sustainability and environmental performance every 10 years. Sustainability in the industry is underpinned by strong R&D. For example a recent CRDC project with Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and University of NSW investigated the nitrogen cycle in rivers draining through cotton growing regions. The catchments included the Nogoa River a tributary of the Fitzroy River flowing towards the Great Barrier Reef near [...]

Sunwater: Rookwood Weir no barrier to fish movements When it becomes operational, Rookwood Weir will bolster Central Queensland’s water security. It will enable Lower Fitzroy landowners to transition to higher value agricultural land use and facilitate new industrial business opportunities. The landmark $367 million project is currently being built on the Fitzroy River, 66 kilometres south-west of Rockhampton. It is equally funded by the Queensland and Australian governments. During construction of the weir, every effort is being made to mitigate or offset potential impacts on the natural environment. These are detailed in the project’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Actions include plans to establish an environmental offset area adjacent to the Mackenzie River, with a mix of v vegetation to provide a range of fauna habitat, including sand banks for turtle nesting. Importantly, the offset area will also act as a large sediment trap, which will improve water quality in the Fitzroy River. A turtle passage ramp will be built into the weir, enabling the endangered Fitzroy River and white-throated snapping turtles to move upstream and downstream of the weir. A key environmental feature of Rookwood Weir will be its unique fish lock situated on the right bank that [...]