News & Opinion

Growers, get free sustainability support via the EnviroVeg Pilot Program

Sustainable agriculture

Growers, get free sustainability support via the EnviroVeg Pilot Program

21st Apr 2018 | By Merran White, AgInnovators

Vegie-growers nationwide can access free training, industry and tech support in transitioning to sustainable farm management – and gain industry-recognised Freshcare environmental certification – by joining AUSVEG’s new EnviroVeg Pilot Program. Apply now.
Sustainable diets will remain a minefield until we change the way we approach food

Sustainable production

Sustainable diets will remain a minefield until we change the way we approach food

9th Mar 2018 | By Chris West, Bob Doherty and Tony Heron, University of York

It’s time to bring more voices to the table and take a system-wide approach to defining the collective roles and responsibilities of producers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers in delivering sustainable food.
New US fertiliser industry report shows sustainability gains

Sustainable production

New US fertiliser industry report shows sustainability gains

3rd Mar 2018 | By Merran White, AgInnovators

According to the 2017 State of the Fertilizer Industry report from TFI, the US industry made gains in safety, sustainability and environmental responsibility in 2016, with firms along the value chain reporting improved water efficiency, lower GG emissions, less wasted heat and more research into reducing run-off.
Method that cuts sugarcane emissions gets global prize

Emissions abatement

Method that cuts sugarcane emissions gets global prize

2nd Mar 2018 | By Washington Castilhos, SciDev.Net

A Brazilian scientist who developed a method that cuts harmful nitrous oxide emissions from sugarcane cultivation by 95 percent has netted the International Fertilizer Association’s prestigious Norman Borlaug Award.
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Projects

Reducing Energy Costs in Dairy

Reducing Energy Costs in Dairy

The Reducing Energy Cost in Dairy project was funded by Australian Dairy Farmers to assist farmers in increasing their dollar return on energy investment.  The project built on previous work by NSW Farmers and Dairy Australia. Activities...
Water & Energy Nexus Initiative

Water & Energy Nexus Initiative

In 2014, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage funded NSW Farmers to conduct a study into the connection between energy costs and usage, and water-efficient irrigation practices.

The project involved desk top research coupled...
Farm Energy Innovation Program (EEIG)

Farm Energy Innovation Program (EEIG)

The NSW Farmers' "Farm Energy Innovation Program" was delivered with the help of the Australian Federal Government between 2012 and 2015 under the Energy Efficiency Information Grants program (EEIG).
Next Gen Compost

Next Gen Compost

Next Gen Compost is a two-year project commenced in 2016 aimed at increasing the use of compost made from recycled organic waste in commercial vegetable production. The project is funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority under its Waste Less Recycle More Organics Market Development Grant Program.
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Case Studies

Farm trials show next-gen compost benefits for vegie growers

Recycled organics

Farm trials show next-gen compost benefits for vegie growers

Trials at the Greater Sydney Demonstration Farm show that adding high-grade recycled-organics composts to soils prior to planting has a number of potential benefits for vegetable growers.
Bathurst farmer grows sweet corn using 'next gen' compost

Recycled organics

Bathurst farmer grows sweet corn using 'next gen' compost

Bathurst mixed-farming operator Jeff McSpedden, who grows corn commercially for Simplot, turned to next-gen compost to replace biosolids, deemed a health risk.
Sydney vegie growers improve soil and yields using 'next gen' compost

Recycled organics

Sydney vegie growers improve soil and yields using 'next gen' compost

Second-generation vegetable farmers Sam and Val Micallef switched to recycled organics compost augmented with slow-release nitrogen to produce more and better vegies for Sydney Markets.
Rejigged tariffs and equipment fixes to boost Riverina dairy farm's bottom line

Energy

Rejigged tariffs and equipment fixes to boost Riverina dairy farm's bottom line

An energy audit of Carramar dairy farm in Womboota found significant savings could be made by renegotiating the electricity tariff for the property’s water pump, optimising the performance of its power-hungry plate cooler, recovering waste heat from the chiller and installing LEDs. Simple.
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