Queensland graziers deserve recognition for their contribution to improving Great Barrier Reef water quality, with the latest Australian and Queensland Government report card recording farm management improvements across more than 1.71 million hectares at 605 grazing locations.
The 2023-2025 Reef Water Quality Report Card shows progress towards each of the Reef-wide water quality targets, with ground cover targets achieved across the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
The Fitzroy and Burdekin regions also recorded the highest reductions in fine sediment between 2023 and 2025.
AgForce General President Shane McCarthy said the results recognised the significant efforts of Queensland producers to care for their land while running productive agricultural businesses.
"Queensland graziers have always understood that looking after the land and running a productive business go hand in hand.
"These results are encouraging and show that practical improvements on the ground are making a difference.
"What makes these results even more impressive is that they've been achieved by family businesses managing some of Queensland's most challenging and unpredictable landscapes. Over the past three years, they've faced above-average rainfall, two cyclones and major flooding - conditions that put ground cover and erosion control to the ultimate test - all while continuing to produce the food and fibre Australians rely on."
Independent research through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water National Environmental Science Program provides further encouraging evidence, identifying significant long-term decreases in suspended sediment concentrations at seven of nine river monitoring sites across Reef catchments.
Researchers identified improved grazing land condition as one possible contributor, while acknowledging that climate, river flows and land-use changes can also influence water quality.
The government report card also found that 96 per cent of graziers participating in Reef water quality projects considered changing their land management practices a positive step.
"This isn't about saying the job is finished. There's more work to do, and seasonal conditions also play a significant role," Mr McCarthy said.
"But it is about recognising progress and backing the approaches that are working, whether that's maintaining ground cover, repairing gullies and streambanks or improving grazing land condition.
"Good policy should recognise responsible land management and make it easier for producers to continue improving their land, rather than adding unnecessary complexity to everyday farming activities.
"The message from these results is simple: recognise the progress, listen to producers and keep backing what works."
