Graziers strive to help furry friends
A RARE gliding possum has been identified as a key factor in helping to improve grazing practices across the Wet Tropics region.
With the launch of Terrain NRM’s Grazing for Gliders program, landholders are working to better protect the endangered mahogany glider.
This has led to both revegetation and holistic grazing initiatives throughout the critical glider habitat.
Terrain NRM community partnerships officer Jacqui Richards said the program was a “win-win” for the environment and graziers.
Farmers have been developing projects unique to their properties following a series of workshops and farm visits covering everything from soil biology and planned rotational grazing to wildlife-friendly fencing.
Graziers Justine Douglas and Rusty Smith said living in mahogany glider habitat had been a drawcard when they bought their Kennedy Valley property, just south of Tully.
Ms Douglas said the challenge now was to convert the old cane farm to grazing land while improving glider habitat and maintaining profitability.
“We began with gliderfriendly fencing – changing the top wire from barbed to plain wire – and we’ve recently been planting hundreds of trees through the program which will become wildlife corridors and shade for cattle,’’ she said.
Ms Douglas said the trees and new movable electric fencing were also allowing them to subdivide their paddocks as part of an improved stock rotation program to better manage the pastures, improve soil health and reduce both weed problems and herbicide usage.
Graziers David and Jean Bridgeman have also subdivided their Kennedy Valley paddocks with wildlife-friendly fences.
“Most of ours will be split in half for planned rotational grazing,’’ Mr Bridgeman said.
“With our Kennedy Valley farm’s flooding issues, focusing on grass structure and better resting paddocks is a good thing and it’s also good for the ecosystems that are part of the property.
“We won’t be flogging the land and there’ll be plenty for everybody – all the creatures.”
Terrain NRM’s Jacqui Richards said the Grazing for Gliders program was helping graziers to run profitable businesses while protecting threatened species.
The Grazing for Gliders program is funded through a Targeted Threatened Species Project grant from the Australian Government and delivered by Terrain NRM with support from the Mahogany Glider Recovery Team.