Last year, producers from far north Queensland came together for a hands‑on study tour to strengthen their sustainable agriculture practices. The tour showcased the power of producer peer‑to‑peer learning and cross‑regional collaboration. It’s sparked new ideas and connections that participants have already taken on back home.
Five producers from Cooktown travelled south to the Townsville region to explore leading-edge innovations, including smart irrigation, feral pig control, protected cropping, erosion control, landscape repair, and virtual fencing technologies. They also met with Traditional Owners to learn from their management practices.
Six months on, the experience has translated into tangible outcomes back home. Follow up field days and on-farm visits have led to the adoption of new approaches.
The positive outcomes highlight the value of producers coming together to learn from one another, especially when they come from different landscapes. It creates opportunities for shared conversations about emerging technologies and builds confidence to adopt new ideas.
Despite limited ongoing resources, the project has built strong momentum. It is a clear demonstration that locally-led extension works because it is grounded in trust, relevance, and ongoing engagement
This project was jointly supported by the Integrated Engagement and Capacity Building Project through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and delivered by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), with sponsorship from AgriFutures Australia and Cape York NRM.
A special thank you to all producers who participated, shared knowledge, and contributed to the project’s success. We extend our appreciation to: – Queensland DPI – Agrifutures Australia – Cape York NRM – Gudjuda Reference Group – DPI hosts: Niall, Terri, Wendy and Harry.
Integrated pasture trial with a mix of grasses and leucaena. Main image above: Sharing learnings from the trip at a follow-up field day held near Cooktown