Banana growers present barrier reef protection story

Innisfail banana growers and Growcom members, Jade and Craig Buchanan of LMB Farming, will be among farmers who will present their stories of how they protect the Great Barrier Reef on farm to a host of international agricultural journalists during a Great Barrier Reef Boat Tour tomorrow.

The Buchanans were recently among the winners of the Australian Government Reef Programme Awards which recognise the work of primary producers in reducing their off-farm impact on the Great Barrier Reef.

The horticulture category winners were recognised for using natural ways to capture and trap sediment, so that it does not reach local waterways and flow out to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Buchanans triple filter water before it leaves the farm using grass inter-rows, a grass spoon drain and sediment ponds. The couple have used these practices for many years and work to improve management of runoff each year.

They are enthusiastic about the importance of protecting the local environment including local waterways and the Great Barrier Reef lagoon for future generations, including their own four children.

The Reef Tour on Saturday for international agricultural journalists has been organised by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ) as part of a pre-congress tour to showcase northern Australian agriculture for journalists attending the annual International Council of Agricultural Journalists’ Congress in Hamilton New Zealand. The Reef Tour will head out from Cairns at 7.00 am.

For more information:
Chris Walker
Growcom
Tel: +61 (0)7 3620 3844
Fax: +61 (0)7 3620 3880
www.growcom.com.au