THE work Burdekin cane farmers have done to reduce fertiliser use is in the spotlight as a senate inquiry into the state government's controversial reef regulations prepares to sit this month.
Townsville-based Senator Susan McDonald, who was instrumental in setting up the inquiry, said rather than cherry picking science to use as a big-stick to hold over farmers, real results should have been taken into account when drafting legislation.
Ms McDonald said a two-year pilot program sponsored by the federal government's Reef Trust and run by NQ Dry Tropics was a prime example of the work already under way to protect the reef.
Sixteen Burdekin farmers involved in the pilot were able to reduce fertiliser use by 700 tonnes, or 20 per cent, with no reduction in productivity.
The cost savings for growers in the 2016-18 trial equated to about $46/ha.
Another 35 growers were recruited to make nitrogen reductions during 2017-22 with the project currently ongoing.
"This is a great example of practical measures to assist farmers and the environment," Ms McDonald said.
"The success of this pilot program in the Burdekin is an example of how science should be used by governments in the primary production sector."
Home Hill grower Eric Barbagallo, who participated in the trial round, had the flexibility to determine which practice changes to implement on his farm to improve nitrogen management. He was able to reduce the amount of nitrogen by 13 tonnes, equivalent to 28 tonnes of urea - a cost saving of more than $16,000.
"As farmers we're environmentalists, that's the best way to describe us," Mr Barbagallo said.
"It's about the environment, but if you save money as a farmer, it's a win-win. That's the way I did it anyway."
Trials included matching fertiliser inputs to crop requirements and using technology to only apply fertiliser precisely where it was needed.
Ms McDonald said the inquiry, which will sit in Brisbane on July 27 and 28, would hear from scientists, farming advocacy groups and government bodies about the evidence used to draft reef regulations.
She is also fighting for hearings to come to regions depending on pandemic travel restrictions.