Hort360 Reef Certification

Rules

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Hort360 Reef CertificationRules2020Growcom Australia

Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers Ltd trading as Growcom AustraliaPrimary Producers HouseLevel 3 183 North QuayBrisbane QLD 4000

PO Box 202Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

P: 07 3620 3844F: 07 3620 3880W: www.growcom.com.au

Growcom Australia Ltd would like to acknowledge Freshcare Limited for making the resources available. In development of the Hort360 Reef Certification Hort360 has utilised Food Safety and Quality v4 and Environmental v3 Standards without change.Copyright © Freshcare Limited

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Contents Introduction Privacy Disclaimer Paddock to Reef Program

o What data does the Paddock to Reef program require?o Who can access this data?o What does the Paddock to Reef program do with the data?o Reporting

Consent Governance Rules Use of Hort360 logo Use of Hort360 Reef Certified logo Standards Definition of Terms

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IntroductionThe purposes of a Hort360 Reef Certification is to provide a quality, credible certification pathway for horticulture growers to demonstrate their environmental stewardship and industry best practice standards in the Great Barrier Reef catchments.The intent to establishing a Hort360 Reef Certification is to not add to but align and leverage current systems used by horticulture businesses which specifically provide a water quality outcome. There are increasing expectations on horticulture producers that they will manage their enterprises to reduce impacts on water quality both on and off farm. This is particularly important for those growers who live in the reef catchments or near other sensitive aquatic and marine systems. The Hort360 Reef Certification module focusses on 4 key management practice areas – Nutrient, Sediment, Pesticide and Water. It is recognised that the majority of horticulture businesses operate within a food safety quality assurance system/s and that some horticulture businesses also have an environmental certification. These independently audited systems are widely recognised across the horticulture industry supply chain. Whilst these systems satisfy specific purposes they are far broader than what is required to achieving a Hort360 Reef Certification. Privacy DisclaimerPersonal information collected in Hort360 is done so in accordance with the Growcom Privacy Policy. We do not share information about you with other agencies without your express permission unless it is necessary to provide you with a service that you have requested, is required or authorised by law, or will prevent / lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or those in your immediate vicinity.https://www.growcom.com.au/about-us/Within the Department of Environment and Science funded project Hort360 Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Best Management Practice (BMP) Growcom is contracted to provide de-identified spatial (paddock scale polygon) data on practice standards and practice change, including quantitative social indicators. For all Reef aligned activities delivered by Hort360 data is captured and reported as per the P2R program protocol using the updated horticulture water quality risk framework, ensuring suitable quality assurance and quality control, by the 31st July each year. The data will be provided to the Management Practice Adoption Leader in the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.Prior to the provision of de-identified spatial and management practice information to Paddock to Reef Growcom will request you to sign a data provision consent form. The consent form will be held by Growcom. Refer to the Hort360 Reef Certification Consent form.Spatial – this refers to a polygon / property boundary and is provided as a shape file to be viewed via mapping software. I.e. ARC GIS, Google Earth.Management practices – current practices you have specified when completing the Hort360 Reef Certification module. Currently this will be provided as a de-identified spreadsheet with a code link to the spatial component.

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Growcom also adheres to the Data Breach policy set under Section 26WE of the Privacy Act 1988.Paddock to Reef programEach year the Queensland and Australian Governments provide significant investment in programs and projects that increase adoption of farm best management practice systems. The aim of this investment is to achieve the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan’s targets, that:“90% of land in priority areas under grazing, horticulture, bananas, sugarcane and other broad-acre cropping are managed using best management practice systems for water quality outcomes”.It’s important for Government to know if their investments have been worthwhile and to measure the impact of their funding. So all programs and projects funded to improve reef water quality are evaluated by the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (known as the Paddock to Reef program). There are currently more than 50 projects and programs that report their impact to the Paddock to Reef program to help the Government understand the benefits of those investments. What data does the Paddock to Reef program require?The Paddock to Reef program needs to know what has changed and where the changes have occurred. Specifically:

1. Location. What is the location of the farm where the improved practice has occurred? What are the property boundaries? The area included in the report must be the area that is impacted by the improved farm practices. This is needed because the Paddock to Reef models rely on site characteristics like soil type, slope, and rainfall – all of which are location specific. The location is also important to avoid double counting. In some locations where many programs are active, it is possible that farm management improvements could be reported more than once. This is easily avoided when the locations are provided.

2. Improved management practices. The management practices in place on that farm, and how they have changed as a result of participation with the BMP program needs to be included in the report. There needs to be a measurement using dates, as improvement can only be described when there is a record of the farm management practices for at least two different dates. For example, an initial assessment in 2016 may have identified that a farm was Below Industry Standard for one practice. The same farm completes a re-assessment in 2018 which confirms that the same practice is now described as At Industry Standard. This is a benefit of the program that can be described.

The Paddock to Reef program does not need a record of all of the practices that are assessed in Hort360 Best Management Practice (BMP) program. Of interest for horticulture are the responses against the Horticulture Water Quality Risk Framework, HWQRF, set of practices. Currently the Hort360 Reef Certification module aligns with the HWQRF.Who can access this data?A small team of officers within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) are responsible for monitoring management practice adoption for the Paddock to Reef program. Only these (four) officers have access to the de-identified spatial and management practice data supplied by the various programs and projects. The data is stored on a secure DAF server, is password protected and access is restricted to those four officers only. What does the Paddock to Reef program do with the data?The Paddock to Reef program assesses the farm management changes that have occurred at each location and aggregates all of these improvements into catchment-

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scale models. These models are used to estimate the long term benefits of the changes in terms of reduced sediment, nutrient, or pesticide movement from farms.The data is fed through an automated process that is designed to detect duplication in reporting over time and overlaps in spatial extent reported from different programs. The BMP standards are then used to develop an assessment of erosion risk in relation to pasture management, streambank management, and gully management. Comparing an initial assessment, a ‘before’ state, to a reassessment, an ‘after’ state, provides an estimate of the extent of practice improvement for a given area. The extent of the change is then aggregated across all reported programs and reported at a catchment scale as an area managed using best practice management systems for water quality. For example ‘120,000 hectares of improved practice on 34 farms was identified in the Dawson River basin’.The individual farm polygons (the shapes describing the farm boundaries) are then stripped of any specific practice data and aligned to codes which instruct the catchment modelling process. These codes represent conditions within the catchment modelling which enable the model to estimate the reduction in sediment loads as a result of improvement in management. The codes cannot be deciphered to reproduce the range of farm practices they represent.A geographic information layer is then produced which contains hundreds (or thousands) of polygons from the many funded programs. This layer contains only the polygons and their aligned modelling codes. This is sent to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Energy (DNRME) who use it in the catchment model to estimate the reduction in sediment load at a catchment scale from the accumulated polygons.

ReportingThe results of Paddock to Reef analysis are published annually; aggregated at a catchment scale into a Great Barrier Reef Report Card. Individual property data cannot be published or made public in any other way. Nor is it permissible to be used by government for any other purpose than evaluating the effectiveness of water quality improvement programs.For accountability, Paddock to Reef retains the polygons and catchment modelling codes in a data archive hosted by the DNRME. The information is password protected and access is tightly restricted. ConsentHort360 Data Privacy Consent FormAs a participant of Hort360 and located within the Great Barrier Reef lagoon catchment Growcom will seek your consent for the provision of farm management practice change data and the locality where the change has occurred. Whilst Growcom / Hort360 adheres to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)7, including the Australian Privacy Principles (APP) (https://www.growcom.com.au/about/) and has appropriate Data Breach policies in-place Growcom has certain contractual obligations for the provision of de-identified data to be provided to Queensland Government Paddock to Reef program.By consenting you are allowing your de-identified management practice information and associated location reference (polygon) to be provided to Queensland Government Paddock to Reef? By doing so you are enabling the horticulture industry to demonstrate more broadly its achievements and land stewardship via the annual Reef Plan Report Card.GovernanceQueensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers Ltd (trading as Growcom) is a public company limited by guarantee and formed under the Corporations Act 2001.

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The directors of the company are elected by members with the exception of one external, non-industry, non-executive director.  The Board has nominated sub-committees including Finance and Audit.  This committee meets regularly and reviews the company’s operations against a structured program which ensures that all aspects of the company’s financial and risk management are reviewed regularly.The company has a formal constitution that governs the manner in which the company is operated and the appointment of directors.  The company also maintains a comprehensive set of policies and procedures covering Workplace Health and Safety, HR management, sub-contracting arrangements and project management.  These documents are regularly reviewed and updated.The Growcom Projects team draws on a number of years’ experience in relation to the development and delivery of incentive programs, workshop and training delivery, project management and research development. Combined they provide a broad depth of natural resource skills, knowledge and ideas which adds considerable value to the program overall. This provides a broader understanding of Reef catchment activities and develops differing strategies to engage growers, industry service providers and the general public.Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Ltd trading as Growcom Australia Ltd has the sole responsibility of maintaining the Hort360 Reef Certification to ensure it complies with minimum standards and continues to align with the Horticulture Water Quality Risk Framework and Freshcare compliance criteria.Freshcare operates with a range of (7) certification bodies which provide auditing services for Food Safety & Quality (JAS-ANZ or IOAS accreditation) and Environmental. https://www.freshcare.com.au/auditing-and-certification/certification-bodies/Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) - http://www.jas-anz.org/about-usInternational Organic and Sustainable Accreditation - https://ioas.org/about-ioas/

RulesAuditor technical skills and qualifications

Mandatory criteria to be addressed for approval and appointment as an Auditor are: A tertiary qualification (Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate VI or

above or suitable international equivalent) relevant to horticulture, agriculture or environmental management (majoring in plant based content).

At least two years’ work experience in a technical, professional or supervisory position involving accountability and the exercise of judgment in horticulture/agriculture production.

Completion of:o a nationally recognised Lead Auditor training course provided by an

accredited Registered Training Organisation. A sound technical and practical background with regard to:

o Crop diagnostic skills (pest, disease, nutritional and other disorders); o Horticulture production management and operational skills;o Best practice in horticulture production nutrient, sediment, pesticide and

water management; o Safe chemical and application equipment handling procedures;

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o Government regulations related to Reef Protection; o Environmental Management Systems; ando Natural resource management.

Demonstrated proficiency in systems auditing, management, effective communication and computer usage.

Demonstrated personal attributes and professional integrity necessary for the effective performance of services.

Demonstrated ability to plan, lead and organise on-farm System Audits plus the skills in the use of electronic platforms for auditing and reporting.

Demonstrated ability to assess the effectiveness of methodologies for implementing on-farm best management practice, environmental management and identifying and managing biosecurity hazards.

The ability and flexibility to make informed decisions when auditing a Site, where compliance standards are required to be met.  It will be necessary for the Auditor to base decisions on sound technical information and, where available or appropriate, testing and/or analytical data.

o Successful achievement of AusChem/ChemCert (or equivalent) training within 12 months of appointment and hold a valid certificate of currency.

o Demonstrate on-going professional development relevant to nursery production technical/management, biosecurity or environmental assurance/management and personal needs for skills and knowledge.

Auditors must successfully complete Hort360 Reef Certification system specific training including updates as necessary to maintain current understanding of the Hort360 Reef Certification.

Hort360 Reef Certification Rules1. A business can request a Hort360 login, www.hort360.com.au, at any point in

time to commence the Reef Certification module2. Certification is property based and a Reef certification module must be completed

for each nominated property3. A Reef Certification module must be completed per nominated property per

annum4. Only Hort360 approved auditors may conduct Hort360 Reef Certification audits.

Auditors can contact reefcertification@growcom.com.au to seek approval.5. On application for audit, a business must enter into a written contract with a

Hort360 approved Auditor for the provision of Hort360 Reef Certification services prior to the commencement of audit activity. The contract must include:

i. Nominated audit; ii. Scope of certification sought; iii. Company details – name, site address (all sites to which Freshcare

certification will apply), postal address, email, phone; iv. Nominated business contact – name, email and phone;

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v. Preferred audit date 6. The contract with the Auditor must take into account the responsibilities of the

business and must clearly include the following requirements: i. Audits are scheduled with adequate notice for both the business and the

Auditor;ii. The cancellation of a scheduled audit may result in a penalty fee in

accordance with the terms of the contract; iii. The business must, on request, provide unimpeded access to the site and

premises, to full documentation and records, and to product, for the purpose of conducting the audit;

iv. The business must provide all reasonable assistance required by the auditor in the conduct of the audit;

v. The business must provide complete and accurate information as required by the Auditor;

vi. An Auditor may be accompanied on the audit for training or accreditation purposes, e.g. auditor training, auditor calibration, witness audits (Hort360, Certification Body or Accreditation Body);

vii. A copy of the audit report and supporting documentation will be made available to Hort360 Manager with a recommendation of certified or not

viii. Hort360 may contact the business directly for feedback on Auditor;ix. The business may lodge a complaint in confidence with Hort360 Manager,

reefcertification@growcom.com.au that will be considered and investigated if appropriate with the Auditor concerned.

7. Once certified the Auditor will provide the business with an electronic and/or hard copy certificate in the format approved by Hort360

8. Fees for certification services (e.g. auditing services) are currently subsidised9. The Auditor will invoice Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Ltd tas Growcom

Australia Ltd for the audit fee

Auditing and complianceHort360 Reef Certification audits are to be completed tri-annually with annual completion of Hort360 Reef Certification module.Making a recommendation regarding certificationAuditors have two options available to them at the conclusion of an audit. The options are to recommend the following: Certification grantedWhere the enterprise has demonstrated adequate control over the process and the management of the elements of Hort360 Reef Certification, with no Major CARs outstanding, Auditors may recommend certification.Certification pendingCertification pending will be recommended if a Major CAR is raised at audit. Growers will be required to provide evidence in writing to their auditor of follow-up action taken and only on acceptance of this can Hort360 Reef Certification be granted. All Major CARs must be addressed within 28 days of audit.

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Wherever practical, outstanding issues will be ‘closed out’ remotely through written or photographic evidence. However, in the situation that evidence of ‘close out’ for outstanding issues cannot be provided remotely, a follow-up audit may need to be scheduled, at the expense of the grower.If the Major Corrective Action is not ‘closed out’ within the nominated 28 day period, the grower’s status within the Hort360 database will automatically be amended to ‘Certification Pending’ until such time as the issue(s) are addressed.Where a Major CAR is not closed out within the nominated 28 day period, the auditor should report the outcome to the Hort360 Manager via email – reefcertification@growcom.com.auMajor corrective actionMajor Corrective Action Records (CARs) are raised when there is the potential to compromise the integrity of the Hort360 Reef Certification. Compliance with these requirements must be demonstrated before certification can be recommended. Non-compliance with these elements at audit will be raised as a Major CAR. Growers should be advised in writing at audit of:

all problems in meeting any of the compliance criteria, resulting in Major CARs timeframes to close corrective actions i.e. Major CARs must be addressed within

28 days of audit what they are required to provide to ‘close out’ Major CARs raised i.e.

written/photographic evidence to demonstrate follow-up action has been taken who the ‘close out’ information should be provided to i.e. their Auditor

If Major CARs are not resolved within the nominated 28 day period, the business’s certification status will be placed in ‘Certification Pending’ and a notification will be held within Hort360 until such time as the corrective action(s) are addressed.

Audit processThe audit can be conducted on site or remotely.Audited materials can be provided in written / photographic evidence / fileThe audit shall:

1. Review the Hort360 Reef Certification report2. Review all compliance criteria as per the Hort360 Reef Certification Compliance

document3. Review the following management practices:

a. Nutrienti. method of fertiliser application

b. Sediment

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i. Vegetated drains/drainage areasii. Inter-row soil cover and/or sediment retentioniii. Vegetated buffers

c. Wateri. Monitoring equipment used to determine requirements

4. Completion of Hort360 Reef Certification Checklist5. Audit report of findings and results presented to the business

Use of Hort360 logo The Hort360 name and corporate logo may be used by a Participant upon written permission from Hort360 in accordance with the Hort360 logo style guide specifications. Participants must apply in writing, to use the Hort360 name and corporate logo and, upon approval, Hort360 will provide the Hort360 corporate logo artwork for use.The Hort360 logo may be used by a Participant subject to the following requirements:

The Participant must:o Request permission – reefcertification@growcom.com.auo Only use the Hort360 logo artwork precisely as provided by Hort360;o Use the Hort360 logo in accordance with the Hort360 logo style guide

specifications; The Hort360 name or corporate logo must not be misrepresented or used in any

manner that could be misconstrued or may be defamatory to Hort360. Permission to use the Hort360 logo in any way other than as specified in these

Rules must be requested in writing and approved by Hort360 A Participant with permission to use the Hort360 name or logo(s) acknowledges

and agrees that Certification Bodies are requested to advise Hort360 of any misuse of the Hort360 name or logo(s).

The Hort360 name and corporate logo may be used by supporting retailers and other supply chain partners for the promotion of the Program as agreed individually with these partners by Hort360.

Use of Hort360 Reef Certified logoThe Hort360 Reef Certified name and corporate logo may be used by a certified Participant upon written permission from Hort360 in accordance with the Hort360 Reef Certified logo style guide specifications. Participants must apply in writing, to use the Hort360 Reef Certified name and corporate logo and, upon approval, Hort360 will provide the Hort360 Reef Certified corporate logo artwork for use.The Hort360 Reef Certified logo may be used by a certified Participant subject to the following requirements:

The Participant must:o Become certified

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o Only use the Hort360 Reef Certified logo artwork precisely as provided by Hort360, incorporating their unique Hort360 Reef Certified number;

o Use the Hort360 Reef Certified logo in accordance with the Hort360 Reef Certified logo style guide specifications;

o Only use the Hort360 Reef Certified logo in connection with products grown and/or packed in compliance with the requirements of Hort360 Reef Certified; and

The Hort360 Reef Certified name, corporate logo, or certification logo must not be misrepresented or used in any manner that could be misconstrued or may be defamatory to Hort360 Reef Certified.

Permission to use the Hort360 Reef Certified logo in any way other than as specified in these Rules must be requested in writing and approved by Hort360

A Participant must immediately cease using the Hort360 Reef Certified name, corporate logo and certification logo if its certification status has been in ‘certification pending’ for more than 28 days, has lapsed (‘certificate expired’) or has been suspended or withdrawn.

A Participant with permission to use the Hort360 Reef Certified name or logo(s) acknowledges and agrees that Certification Bodies are requested to advise Hort360 of any misuse of the Hort360 Reef Certified name or logo(s).

The Hort360 Reef Certified name and corporate logo may be used by supporting retailers and other supply chain partners for the promotion of the Program as agreed individually with these partners by Hort360.

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StandardsNutrient Management

Above Best Practice At Best Practice Below Best Practice

Testing

Soil sampling collected / collated per planting per soil type / management zoneand/or Leaf / sap / fruitlet sampling undertaken at strategic crop growth stages (more than once per year) per crop type per management zoneand/orSampling conducted in accordance with a sampling regime recommended by a

suitably qualified person or an accepted industry standard per planting per soil type / management zone

AndCollection / collation conducted as per industry recognised procedureTesting conducted by NATA / ASPAC accredited lab

Soil sampling collected / collated annually per soil type / management zoneand/or Leaf / sap / fruitlet sampling completed annually per management zoneand/orSampling conducted in accordance with a sampling regime recommended by a

suitably qualified person or an accepted industry standard

per soil type / management zoneAndCollection / collation conducted as per industry recognised procedureTesting conducted by NATA / ASPAC accredited lab

No testing conducted

Application Basis

Fertiliser application rates based on frequent (more than annual) / per planting using soil/leaf/sap/fruitlet test results in conjunction with a nutrient budget

Fertiliser application rates based on annual soil/leaf/sap/fruitlet test results in conjunction with a nutrient budget

Historical application rates applied across entire farm / limited testing

Nutrient BudgetDeveloped at individual block / crop scale, using soil/leaf/sap/fruitlet test results, inclusive of removal calculators / yield data & or other sources of nutrient

Developed as per management zone using soil/leaf/sap/fruitlet test results. Some evidence of nutrient contribution of other amendments taken into account

No nutrient budgeting conducted

Application method Various application methods (fertigation, incorporation and / or foliar) with fertigation being dominant (>80%)In accordance with weather

Various application methods (fertigation, incorporation, broadcast, banding and / or foliar) Typically small amounts often

Surface applied annually - broadcasting and/or banding

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In accordance with weather conditions

RateVariable rate (perhaps targeted) within crops / blocks

Different rates per crop and / or crop stage Single rate regardless of crop development & type

RecordAll applications are recorded at a block / crop scale in line with nutrient budgeting requirement

All applications are recorded per management zone

No nutrient application records

CalibrationFertiliser equipment is calibrated & maintained seasonally AND after changes to application equipment, specific production blocks and irrigation equipment

Fertiliser equipment is calibrated & maintained on a seasonal basis

Regular calibration & maintenance of equipment is not practiced or only when problem occurs

Sediment managementAbove Best Practice At Best Practice Below Best Practice

Land Management - Topography

<5% - Incorporation of various agronomic, structural and irrigation measures – must include: Ground cover / mulch (min. 85%

depending on soil type) Crops are planted down slope and or

across slope with regular spaced vegetation strip cropping

Grassed / vegetated drains Low-medium pressure irrigation

systems

<5% - Incorporation of various agronomic, structural and irrigation measures – must include: Ground cover / mulch (min. 60%

depending on soil type) Crops are planted down slope and or

across slope with regular spaced vegetation strip cropping

Low-medium pressure irrigation systems

Crops are planted across and or down slope with no other suitable strategies in-place

>5% - Incorporation of various agronomic, structural and irrigation measures – must include: Ground cover / mulch (100% - all soils) Stubble retention Crops are planted down slope and or

across slope with regular spaced vegetation strip cropping

Grassed / vegetated drains Low-medium pressure irrigation

systems

>5% - Incorporation of various agronomic, structural and irrigation measures – must include: Ground cover / mulch (min. 90%

depending on soil type) Crops are planted down slope and or

across slope with regular spaced vegetation strip cropping

Grassed / vegetated drains Low-medium pressure irrigation systems

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Runoff bufferVegetated buffers provide good protection of waterways at ALL times

Vegetated buffers in place, farm runoff is managed prior to any waterway or wetland in the majority of instances

No buffer zones on the property and waterways receive run-off from productive areas

Sediment retention

Structures / systems have been engineered to appropriate design standards for the regionAccounting for:

seasonal rain events structure / system

catchment area sediment source / farming

systemand maintenance is carried out prior to spring/summer rainfall period and as required

Structures / systems are working effectivelyDeemed suitable for:

structure / system catchment area sediment source / farming system

and maintenance is carried out prior to spring/summer rainfall period

Maintenance is only carried out when structures / systems are not working effectively or adequate structures / systems are not in place

Ground cover – plant bed management Annual / Pineapple cropping systems

covered with green manure/cover crops planted between (in space and time) commercial crops; or plastic mulch combined with green manure/cover crops planted between (in space and time) commercial crops;

products such as PAM (polyacrylamide), PVA (polyvinyl acetate) or molasses which bind soil together may also be utilised in circumstances/locations where there are impediments to maintaining cover

Annual / Pineapple cropping systems bare beds within short term crop rotation

(4-5 weeks) with longer term (>6 weeks) covered with green manure/cover crops planted between (in space and time) commercial crops; or plastic mulch combined with green manure/cover crops planted between (in space and time) commercial crops;

products such as PAM (polyacrylamide), PVA (polyvinyl acetate) or molasses which bind soil together may also be utilised in circumstances/locations where there are impediments to maintaining cover

No cover

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Tree cropping systems permanent grass or vegetation cover products such as PAM

(polyacrylamide), PVA (polyvinyl acetate) or molasses which bind soil together may also be utilised in circumstances/locations where there are impediments to maintaining cover (e.g. shade from mature tree canopy)

Tree cropping systems organic mulches, slashed inter-row

material or crop residues spread over the exposed soil;

products such as PAM (polyacrylamide), PVA (polyvinyl acetate) or molasses which bind soil together may also be utilised in circumstances/locations where there are impediments to maintaining cover (e.g. shade from mature tree canopy)

Inter – row management

Annual / Pineapple Under sow / plant / mulch in the inter-

row same time as plant crop

Annual / PineappleIF a bare inter-row is maintained due to general block management / crop canopy closure you must include:

vegetated drains / drainage areas, vegetated buffers

May also include: diversion and contour banks, contour

plantings, , adequate silt traps, crop rotations, cover cropping, levelling and/or sediment retention

Cultivated / Bare inter-row

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Trees Inter-rows managed with living ground

cover (high % - >80%)

TreesInter-rows managed with living (grass etc.) and or dead (mulch) to a minimum of 60%. Should be practiced in conjunction with:

vegetated drains / drainage areas, vegetated buffers

May also include: diversion and contour banks, contour

plantings, , adequate silt traps, crop rotations, cover cropping, levelling and/or sediment retention

Farm Access Management

Roads and grassed / covered headlands are strategically designed, constructed & maintained to minimise erosive runoff

Maintenance procedures for roads and grassed / covered headlands are implemented with minimal runoff issues

Roads and bare headlands receive minimal / no maintenance and erosion is an issue

Pesticide ManagementAbove Best Practice At Best Practice Below Best Practice

Determination of chemical requirement

A full complement of IPM measures are implemented with minimised pesticide usage

A number of IPM practices are incorporated into the chemical program implemented to refine pesticide usage

Not considered - full pesticide use on a calendar basis regardless of need or no plan to progress

Spray records

Spray use is recorded electronically as per standards requirement / label / state and reviewed regularly for ongoing decision making

Spray use is recorded as per standards of practice requirement

Not undertaken

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Pesticide use management

Using your own / agronomist recorded crop monitoring results, action thresholds and labelled rates in line with accredited crop agronomist recommendations / implementation of IPM practices

Using your own recorded crop monitoring results, action thresholds and labelled rates

Follow other grower advice and / or calendar and / or chemical supplier applications, weather conditions not generally considered

Drift Management

Spray in accordance with label information in appropriate weather conditions using on site weather monitoring and recording of temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed & wind direction.Using fit for purpose spray equipment to control droplet spectrum with appropriate spray buffers in place

Spray in accordance with label requirements in appropriate weather conditions based on externally available weather information (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction) and recordedUsing fit for purpose spray equipment to control droplet spectrum with appropriate spray buffers in place

Spray when opportunity arises within other farming operations Visual weather assessmentNo records

Calibration

Spray equipment is calibrated and checked for efficiency at every change of situation according to manufacturer's instructions & recorded / use a spray contractor

Spray equipment is calibrated annually according to manufacturer's instructions and checked for efficiency at every use & recorded

Not undertaken

Water ManagementAbove Best Practice At Best Practice Below Best Practice

Application rate

Application rate suited to crop stages and soil typeRegularly (more than once per year / per crop) measure volume of applied water

Application rate suited to crop stages and soil typesAnnually measure volume of water applied

Same strategy is used across whole farm

Not Applicable – non irrigated farming system

Benchmark Routinely benchmark (yield v water use) at the individual field or crop level

Sometimes benchmark (yield v water use) at the individual field or crop level

Not considered

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Scheduling

Use objective tools (multiple) Use objective tools (at least one)(e.g. Tensiometer, Capacitance Probe, Time Domain Reflectance System, Weather Station, Evaporation Pan, satellite / drone imagery)

Not considered or use subjective tools

Not Applicable – non irrigated farming system

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Definition of Terms

Block: An area of land that is typically used to grow horticulture.

Broadcast application: Means application of fertiliser across the entire surface of a block on the agricultural property.

Fertiliser: Means a product that contains a quantified amount, obtained by analysis, of nitrogen and/or phosphorus.

Great Barrier Reef catchment: Has the same meaning in the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The Great Barrier Reef catchment is the area shown on a map prescribed by regulation as the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

Leaf testing: Means a test of the characteristics of leaves, analysed by a National Association ofTesting Authorities (NATA) or Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) accredited laboratory, or one holding an equivalent certification

Management zone: A group of blocks that are of the same soil type, planted at the same time and treated the same for nutrient application

Hort360: A voluntary, industry-led program to encourage best practice.

Soil testing: Means a test of the characteristics of soil, analysed by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) or Australasian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) accredited laboratory, or one holding an equivalent certification.

Suitably Qualified Person: A person who has professional qualifications, training or skills or experience relevant to completing a nutrient management plan. This must include the ability to give an authoritative assessment, advice and analysis relevant to the farm, block and or management zone, using protocols, standards, methods or literature, where relevant.

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