Month: July 2018

Media Release – Regional Investment Corp launch

Kalagro

Joint Media Release

RIC ready to roll on July 1

MC 41/18

Senator the Hon. Mathias Cormann
Minister for Finance
Leader of the Government in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia

The Hon. David Littleproud MP
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources

1 July 2018
  • The Regional Investment Corporation launches today, July 1
  • Major milestone in implementing a key Coalition Government election commitment
  • Loan guidelines and application forms are available on the RIC website

The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) will open for business from today, as planned.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the launch or the RIC proudly delivers on a key Coalition Government election commitment to deliver nationally consistent loans for our Australian farmers.

“We believe in our farmers and I am pleased that they will now be able to apply for low interest loans directly with a single national body in place,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The RIC will deliver new loan products to farmers which will encourage farmers to diversify their markets and invest back into their business.”

Minister Littleproud said the RIC would also offer drought loans to help farmers prepare for, and manage through, times of drought.

“I fought hard to ensure this legislation got through during my first week of Parliament as Minister because I know how valuable these loans are on the ground,” Minister Littleproud said.

“I encourage farmers to get online and take a look at the loan eligibility and terms on the RIC website.”

Minister for Finance, Mathias Cormann said a pool of $2 billion would be available for the RIC’s farm business loans. Another $2 billion is available through the National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility, for state and territory governments to fast track the construction of priority water infrastructure.

“We have issued the RIC with its operating mandate and look forward to seeing it achieve outcomes for rural and regional communities,” Minister Cormann said.

The RIC is a corporate Commonwealth entity established to make farm businesses stronger, more resilient and profitable in the long term.

The RIC is overseen by an independent Board, chaired by David Foster.

For more information visit the www.ric.gov.au (link is external) read more

Farmacist – Nitrogen Run Off Irrigation Trial

Kalagro

Farmacist – Nitrogen Run Off Irrigation Trial

Jayson Dowie of Farmacist has some funding available via RP161 to undertake a water quality trial to determine nitrogen groundwater runoff in the Burdekin Region. The matter of nutrient runoff in the Delta was the subject of discussion at KCGO’s recent Annual General Meeting and this is an opportunity for members to become involved in a trial at no cost. There are certain parameters that will be need to be met by growers including:

  • The need to be a part of RP161, either in the past or future. The RP161 project is an extension of the RP20 project, which aimed to validate Six-Easy-StepsTMfertiliser rates in the Burdekin. Growers involved in the RP161 project receive:
  1. A whole farm nutrient plan at Six-Easy-StepsTM
  2. All historical soil tests spatially allocated in a Google Earth map.
  3. Their previous fertiliser practices benchmarked.
  4. A soil test.
  5. A G-Dot installed.
  6. On farm and phone support with Farmacist agronomists.
  7. Confidence strips implemented on a block of their choice to compare their current practice to The Six-Easy-StepsTM.

  • Growers must have runoff ie. banded ends will not be acceptable as Farmacist need to investigate dissolved nitrogen runoff leaving farming block.
    • read more

    Kalagro

    Monday, 2 July 2018

    The July 2018 contract settled at:

    12.25 US c/b

    The Australian Dollar currently trades at:

    73.98 US cents.

    Forward indicative prices in Australian dollars are:

    $362 for OCT Contract – 2018 season

    $372 for 2018 season

    $394 for 2019 season

    $411 for 2020 season

    $422 for 2021 season

    Proudly brought to you by Kalagro.

    Regional Variety Committe Meeting Outcome

    Kalagro

    REGIONAL VARIETY COMMITTEE MEETING  – 21ST JUNE

    I refer to my magazine article in our April issue of “What A Sweet Life” of Regional Variety Committee meeting held in April and decisions made in relation to varieties that were considered for either release to productivity board, accelerated to maxprop and clones for possible acceleration. There were two varieties, KQ08-2180 and QA10-1130, whereby decision was delayed pending updated smut rating test which became available this month and was the subject of meeting held on the 21st.

    Outcome of RVC meeting was as follows:

    KQ08-2180

    Recapping this variety had an intermediate-susceptible smut rating in laboratory tests, however minimal evidence in field conditions. Tonnage above and CCS slightly less than the standard varieties. New smut rating of 6 (previous rating was an 8) was released in June 2018 confirming variety remains intermediate-susceptible and within regional thresholds. This variety has been planted in three BPS trials in the Upper Haughton, Iona and Aerodrome area. In the Upper Haughton trial, the TSH for KQ08-2180 was better than Q240, SRA8, and Q183. In the Iona trial, Q232  and Q240 performed better than the KQ08-2180. The Aerodrome trial was variable. No smut was observed in strip trials or BPS propagation plots– this clone was planted next to SRA8 which was heavily infected with smut. There was considerable discussion regarding the difference between observed field expression of smut in the Burdekin and the results of SRA trials. Consistent reports of strip trials and field observations were made with considerable smut infection in some varieties planted directly adjacent to this clone, with KQ08-2180 demonstrating little smut infection.

    Decision: KQ08-2180 limited release with full disclosure on its smut status and the risk of smut. BPS have been requested to ensure at point of release (2020), that full information for this clone be presented to growers including TCH, CCS & TSH, compared against current standards as well as and in particular, the smut history and smut risk of KQ08-2180. read more