Australian growers to benefit from water and energy efficiency funding
Announcing that eight rural industry groups will be funded by the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative for 2017-18, Department of Natural Resources and Mines Executive Director Mandy Downes said that increased competition for water and rising energy costs is affecting the bottom line for the State’s primary producers.
Irrigation workshop at Bundaberg Queensland
“Combined, these industries are estimated to use approximately 1.7 million megalitres annually,” Ms Downes said. Irrigators participating in the program will have access to high-quality independent advice and irrigation system evaluations to improve their on-farm water management,”
Grants will be provided to the peak industry groups involved including Flower Association, Dairyfarmers’ Organisation, Growcom, Canegrowers, Cotton Australia, Nursery and Garden Industry, Turf Producers Association and the National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture.
Flower farmer Geoff Hussey owner of Charm City Flowers Bundaberg, Queensland
The Rural Water Use Efficiency program works to assist farmers to achieve productivity gains and through scheduling and irrigation equipment changes and maintenance.
The Flower Association has secured $61,000 for on farm irrigation assessments, technical advice, case studies and their promotion in Great Barrier Reef catchments via workshops.
Technical field day at Moerman Anthurium Atherton, Queensland
If you are a Queensland flower grower and would like an assessment from an irrigation consultant or just want more information contact Flower Association Executive Officer Shane Holborn on shane@flowersqueensland.asn.au or call +617 3821 3350.