Sugarcane farmers were the biggest recipients, being awarded more than half the funds, with 97 cane projects funded. John Reghenzani, manager of Sustainable Industries at Terrain NRM said, "There were a large number of applications from cane farmers for spray equipment to improve efficiency of herbicide application and reduce losses. Machinery to apply fertiliser below the surface, which increases fertiliser uptake by the crop and reduces runoff from the paddock, was also a popular project." Grants also assisted banana and papaw growers to upgrade irrigation and automate fertiliser application to improve the efficiency of nutrient uptake by these crops.

Reef Rescue has helped farmers to farm more sustainably since 2008, by providing funding incentives to reduce nutrient, pesticide and soil loss from their land. Since this initiative began, 668 projects have been funded in the Wet Tropics region, involving over 960 farmers.

"Terrain has awarded $14.3 million in the last four years to farmers to improve water quality flowing to the Great Barrier Reef. This has been added to by farmers with cash and effort, to the value of $22.8 million". "This is a massive investment by landholders and shows their commitment to improved farming practices which will ensure the future of the Reef", John commented.

Next year will be the last opportunity for farmers to apply for Reef Rescue grants with the five year program coming to an end. "We are opening the funding round earlier next year so that projects and reporting can be completed by June 2013," said John. "We are encouraging farmers, particularly those who have not applied for funding before to start talking to industry Extension Officers and Catchment Coordinators now about what farm management changes can be made to improve water quality." The last round of Reef Rescue will open for applications on 30 January 2012.

Reef Rescue is a voluntary incentives program administered in the Wet Tropics region by Terrain Natural Resource Management. The five year, $200 million program is an investment by the Australian Government under the Caring for Our Country initiative. Landholders in the Great Barrier Reef catchment are supported to adopt better farming systems that will improve water quality and protect the environment.

Terrain NRM is a community-based not-for-profit organisation supporting natural resource management in the Wet Tropics and facilitates sustainable farming to reduce adverse impacts on the region's land and water assets. More information on Reef Rescue can be obtained by viewing the web site (www.terrain.org.au) or by phoning 40438000.