Water

Deep dive into irrigation businesses

Sep 3, 2021

Help for farmers: Support is available through the Plan2Farm project for irrigators keen to future-proof their farms.

Farmers across the Torrumbarry and Loddon Valley irrigation region can get help to take a deep dive into their business and develop a plan to ensure they can take advantage of future water markets and improve irrigation systems.

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The Irrigated Cropping Council is working with North Central Catchment Management Authority to implement the new Plan2Farm project.

This new program helps farmers consider their exposure to water markets and the efficiency of their irrigation system, and the influence this may have on their farming business.

Farm business consultants Daryl Poole from RMCG and Paul Blackshaw from Meridian Agriculture will provide project advice.

“Uncertainty and turbulent times in the irrigation industry creates challenges for farmers to make good business decisions, so this new irrigation farm business plan allows people to proactively assess their business and think about the future,” Irrigated Cropping Council’s Charlotte Aves said.

“This project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and enables farmers to access professional support and guidance on how to set up their business [to be] more resilient into the future.”

Farmers who take up this opportunity will be involved in three meetings with farm business consultants and have a farm visit to discuss and develop their business plan.

“Working collaboratively with the North Central CMA, Murray Dairy and Agriculture Victoria means we can harness the strengths and networks of each organisation to really enhance the program,” Ms Aves said.

The initial meetings will be held on September 14 in Boort from 9am to noon and Cohuna from 1.45pm to 4.45pm. Registration is essential, with numbers strictly limited to 10 businesses a session.

For more information and to register, contact Mel Mann via email at mel.mann@irrigatedcroppingcouncil.com.au or phone 0447 803 305.