Annan, Endeavour, and Normanby Producer Group Dry Tropics Best Management Practice Study Tour- Highlights
Dry Tropics Best Management Practice Study Tour
Cape York, Annan, Endeavour and Normanby Producer Peer-to-Peer Group
Monday 18th August to Thursday 21st August
Monday 18/08/2025
Five of our producers flew from Cooktown to Townsville -
When we arrived Terri and Wendy from the DPI met us at the Townsville Airport.
They drove all of us to to Ayr – in two cars
We were then welcomed by the Traditional owners, the Gudjuda Reference Group - This was at Gubulla Munda, Plantation Park Ayr.
We then shared a feed with them at the Ayr Anzac Club - where they gave us overview of the Gudjuda Land and Sea Ranger projects and initiatives and opportunity to share what is happening in the Burdekin.
We in turned shared with the traditional owners what is occurring in and Cape York regions.
We stayed at the Parkside Motel
Tuesday 19/08/2025
After meeting with our DPI Hosts we traveled to the DPI Research Station Ayr
After our welcome we were then inducted and they took us through several presentations and walk abouts through their work areas.
Our Overview of Smart Irrigation Technology was canceled as some challenges were affecting their ability to present.
We then launched into a presentation on Feral Pig Control – Which included the Burdekin Shire and their partners Jordy Oostrom (Northern Trapping) and Paul Day Manager Environmental Health (Burdekin Shire Council)
This was followed by a physical demonstration of Smart Sprayer solutions and handling with Alex Olsen (Autoweed)
After smoko we were then treated to a Peanut trial field walk with Dayle Fresser (Dpi Experimentalist). We looked at the different sowing regimes and differing peanut growing trial that were being conducted.
When we finished there we moved on to the Protected cropping –greenhouse tour with Heidi Wiggenhauser (DPI Horticulturalist).
We were surprised by the fact that they were growing blueberries of all things in a Tropical Greenhouse.
After Lunch we departed from the DPI and arrived at the Australian Institute of Marine Science
We were Hosted by Carl Grant Senior- Indigenous Partnerships Coordinator - Who was very professional and really good at his job.
We gained valuable insight as to the investment and the critical work that was occurring for our GBR Reef recovery.
We traveled back to our accommodation and Overnighted at the Mercure Inn
Wednesday 20/8/25 – Spyglass Research Station All activities were Hosted by DPI’s Simon Hunt (Soil Conservation Officer), Jarud Muller (Scientist Animal Production), Jo Gangemi (Senior Extension Officer, Beef), Teagan Lawrence (Extension Officer, Carbon.
We were chauffeured by Drivers – Terri Buono and Harry Neubecker (DPI)
After Arrival at the Spyglass DPI Research Station we were Inducted
After smoko we had a look at demonstrations from Grass/legume combination plots
We were then moved to Continong Shed where we had lunch and were treated to virtual fencing display by the people who were conducting the trials with the electronic collars to keep the cattle confined to a predefined area.
Our producers were very impressed as this could have Hugh potential to be trialed up in Cape York
The last activity for the day was to have a look at the Alluvial gully remediation site at all their erosion control and mitigation work.
As they had had a pretty big wet it was good to see what had worked and what had not.
We left and then traveled back to our accommodation
Thursday 21/8/25 - Homeward Bound
We Departed Townsville for Cooktown –and spent all day waiting for connecting flight back home.
WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR OUR TOUR,AS WE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL WITH WHICH WE CAN USE IN OUR OWN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN CAPE YORK.
We extend a heartfelt thanks to the wonderful Traditional Owners and our DPI hosts.
We are also thankful for the sponsorship of the QLD DPI, AGRIFUTURES AUSTRALIA, and CAPE YORK NRM.
A special thank from our producers goes to Niall, Terri, Wendy and Harry, without who’s help and guidance, the tour would not have happened.
Please take the time to have a look at all of photos from our very educational tour.
