A GRANT program helping horticulture growers improve water efficiency and protect crops from weather damage has attracted nearly $3 million worth of applications from the Riverland.
Growers across the region are seeking to utilise the Federal Government’s Horticulture Netting Infrastructure Grants program to install protective netting around their crops.
Waikerie-based citrus grower Brenton Kay said the financial assistance – with growers only required to match the Federal Government’s contributions – had made it possible for him to trial the netting on his crops.
“The netting is something we’ve been really interested in,” Mr Kay said.
“We’ve been watching what the Arnold family, in New Residence, have been doing and investigating it through the Adelaide Hills as well.
“It’s something I wanted to trial, but without the Federal Government co-contribution, we just wouldn’t have been able to do it.
“It’s something I really want to trial to see if it’s what I want to do moving forward.”
Mr Kay said the installation of netting was aimed at reducing the impact of changing weather conditions and improving water efficiency on crops.
“To have a portion of your income guaranteed from hail (damage) is one reason, but there’s more to it than that,” he said.
“It’s more about wind protection, certainly sun protection and hopefully some water efficiency (improvements), which are pretty hard to measure until you do a trial.
“The more class one fruit we can get, the better it is.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said increased productivity of individual growers would also generate economic benefits for the entire Riverland.
“From the Riverland, PIRSA have received 14 applications seeking $2.9 million so far,” Mr Pasin said.
“These grants are going to give growers like Brenton Kay a better understanding of what can be achieved for yields by using netting and boost productivity in the region.
“Not only is this great news for the farmer, but increased, more profitable yields will lead to increased economic activity for the Riverland.”
Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone said extreme weather events in the Riverland – including a shock hailstorm that caused $23 million to local crops last November – meant protective measures were necessary for growers.
“The Riverland will be a beneficiary… due to the impacts of hailstorms in recent years,” Mr Whetstone said.
“Given our variable climate, the netting is a long-term insurance policy against hail, sun and wind damage.
“It’s value-adding growers packouts into export markets and in turn (bringing) more money into growers’ pockets, creating more jobs and growing our economy.
“There is still opportunity available for farmers to apply for the grants of up to $300,000.”
Mr Kay said support and information provided by local politicians made applying for the grant funding a simple process.
“Attending the meeting at the Renmark Club which Tony hosted and spoke at gave us the drive to go out and seek the grant,” Mr Kay said.
“We’ve never tried to get a grant in 30 years of production before.
“Even the contractor we’re using has found the process through the local councils pretty good as well, so that’s gratifying to be honest.”
Mr Kay said the netting would help maximise the value of citrus fruit vulnerable to hot temperatures.
“The varieties we’re covering are red-pigmented varieties that are very susceptible to our conditions in the Riverland,” he said.
“Cara cara (oranges) get sunburnt very easily and there’s virtually no juice market for that, so it can go from $1000 a tonne to being worthless just with some sun blemish.”
Further information regarding applications and eligibility for the Horticulture Netting Infrastructure Grants program can be found by visiting the PIRSA website (www.pir.sa.gov.au/grants_and_assistance/horticulture-netting-grants).