Page 8 - DAF 254 Peer 2 Peer Case Studies

IN THE NEWS
Peer-to-peer learning tour builds grower confidence
A group of cane farmers from Mossman recently hit the road for a three-day discovery tour to other districts to learn from other growers.
Regional Extension Coordinator Steve Roeger said the peer-to-peer learning tour had given growers confidence to try or implement new/improved farming practices and had expanded grower and industry networks.
The group travelled through the Tablelands and down to Tully and Ingham to see, explore and chat to other growers and industry personnel about their farming practices, innovative ideas and shared experiences.
Particularly valuable was the time spent on the bus with growers debriefing amongst each other in between stops.
Cane farmer Angelo Puglisi said the tour was well organised and he learnt new information at all stops.
``Being able to debrief after each site visit as a group increases the learnings as we can often get different feedback from our fellow farmers.’’
Mr Puglisi said he now saw the need to try and establish a grower cane variety group in Mossman.
The tour included field demonstrations with productivity services, paddock visits with growers, learning about innovative machinery, research updates and general shed chats and presentations from industry representative. Cane farmer Doug Rasmussen said the casual environment made it easier to ask questions and get feedback. He said his three biggest learnings from the tour were compaction prevention, mixed species fallow rotations and drainage tips and that he would start using tissue culture for plant source. The tour was hosted by Mossman Ag Services and funded by the Enhanced Extension Coordination in GBR project.