‘Farming Extra Spring’, 2020—PAGE 7
Acquisition complete
Year one tracking very well A four year research project that may change the face of food and fibre production in the Southern Riverina is on its way to a successful first year. The Finley-based research facility is comprised of about 80 hectares of experimental crops, sheds and research facilities and is run by Southern Growers. Federal Government funding committed during the May 2019 election has played a large role is securing the project. During April and May this year, the facility had a range of canola, chickpeas, durum and faba beans sown which have been strategically monitored throughout winter. In its first year of capacity for research, it has taken on four main projects. The first is a demonstration of three alternate canola hybrid seeds. Pioneer provided Roundup ready, Triazine tolerant and Clearfield canola seeds which are being sown as part of this demonstration. Second is research to be undertaken by FAR Australia, sponsored by Grains Research and Development Corporation, on the growth of durum, canola, faba bean and chick peas under different irrigation systems. Another durum trial is being run by Southern Growers, with two different varieties being grown under different nitrogen fertiliser treatments. The final project is on double cropping, testing the turnaround efficiency of harvesting chick peas, canola, durum and faba beans with sowing of rice rotations in quick succession. The facility is also conducting research on methods to water crops. Its hope is to find which overhead or surface irrigation methods are more efficient and produce the best yield. This is possible due to the sponsorship of
The SunRice Group’s CopRice business has completed the acquisition of the dairy and beef business of Riverbank Stockfeeds, a leading provider of livestock products in Victoria. The acquisition includes Riverbank’s feed mill at Leongatha, and extensive dairy business across Gippsland and south west Victoria, which will see CopRice, a leading producer of stockfeed and companion animal products, continue the expansion of its Victorian dairy nutrition business. The acquisition will provide an additional manufacturing facility in the key Gippsland dairy sector to complement CopRice’s existing manufacturing facilities at Cobden in south west Victoria, Tongala in northern Victoria, and Leeton and Coleambally in southern NSW.
■Stephanie Chappell from Southern Growers and Eagle i Machinery owner Peter Brunt with the T-L irrigator at the Finley research facility. Eagle i Machinery, and $368,000 in funding from the Commonwealth Government that contributed to the purchase of an overhead T-L irrigation system which was installed in May. SGI executive officer Stephanie Chappell said the important research undertaken at the facility would not be possible without the support it’s had. ‘‘Our four main projects would not be able to go ahead if it wasn’t for the funding we receive, and for the help we’ve had from local companies like Eagle i. ‘‘We’ve used mostly local support and local suppliers for each step of the cropping process. ‘‘Our project should help farmers see the figures of water usage and crop yield between overhead versus traditional watering. ‘‘It will help farmers be able to maximise profitability and improve water efficiency.’’
Eagle i owner Peter Brunt said he was happy to contribute to a local project that coincides with the objectives of his business. ‘‘It was important to me and to the company to show our support to Southern Growers,’’ he said. ‘‘The T-L irrigator we helped supply to the project showcases why we think it is the best in the business. ‘‘We support a lot of local clubs each year, but it was extra special to support one that is directly linked to what we provide as a business.’’ Double cropping will also be actively investigated at the facility, which can turn one season farmers in the region into allyear round growers. Any research data collected at the facility would be used as an education tool, and guide local farmer group discussions.
CopRice general manager Peter McKinney said CopRice planned to immediately close the Leongatha plant in order to commence an extensive upgrade project before re-opening in the first half of 2021. ‘‘We will now make a significant investment to improve the quality and standard of the site, but in the interim we will utilise our extensive manufacturing capability in Cobden, Tongala and Coleambally to maintain supply of high-quality products to Riverbank customers,’’ Mr McKinney said. ‘‘For less than $10 million in acquisition costs, working capital requirements and capital expenditure on these upgrades, CopRice has acquired a fantastic asset and associated customer base in the heart of Gippsland – one of Australia’s premier dairy regions. ‘‘With this acquisition, CopRice has further cemented our reputation as one of the leading providers of stockfeed and companion animal products in Australia, with an extensive operational footprint and customer base that now extends across NSW and Victoria.’’
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