Contents - Greenmount Press

AgriRisk Services Managing Director John van der Vegt
and Susan Maas, CRDC at the recent Australian Cotton
Conference. AgriRisk has agreed to work with the cotton
industry’s D&D Team to communicate the importance of best
practice farm biosecurity.
top-level priority for the cotton industry in 2012–13.
“Come clean. Go clean. is about preventing the spread of
problems that already exist, such as known soil borne pathogens,
and the hard to control weeds including herbicide-resistant
weeds,” Susan said.
“Beyond that, it is also about managing the risk of future
incursions bearing in mind that once a biosecurity breach
occurs and a disease, pest or pathogen is in the country and
being spread around, it is too late to suddenly introduce farm
biosecurity measures.”
Agririsk has agreed to produce signage for the farm gate
and around the farm yard, and print machinery stickers to alert
farmers and visitors to observe best practice and always put
Come clean. Go clean. into daily practice.
“It is another great example of how we are working with
agribusiness to reach common goals and to apply the leverage
best provided by companies already well engaged on farm.
Agribusinesses such as AgriRisk have the ‘legs’ that we find it
very hard to replicate in the R&D services area.
“Farm gate signs will be reminding operators to stop and
clean down before moving to another location. AgriRisk are
also providing the Come clean. Go clean. farm signs to ensure
all visitors are aware of the farm’s commitment to good farm
biosecurity and best practice.”
Go to agririsk.com.au to order your stickers and signs. For
more information about how to come clean, go to myBMP or
www.crdc.com.au to get a copy of the new Come clean. Go
clean factsheet or e-mail susan.maas@crdc.com.au
CGAs encouraged to apply for Grass
Roots Grants
CRDC’s Grass Roots Grants Program is designed to stimulate
grower-led projects that build the capacity of industry players and
improve the communities in which they operate. Cotton Grower
Associations and informal grower groups are encouraged to
apply. All applicants are encouraged to get endorsement from
their local CGA.
Upper Namoi CGA Network Development Officer KiriIly
Blomfield has been employed with the support of the CRDC
Grass Roots Grants program and is pictured with Sally Hunter
from FundBase who is helping CGAs navigate the world of
grants and funding.
CRDC is aiming for one application from each of the 14 CGAs
so are encouraging them all to think of projects and contact Sally
Hunter (contact details below) to talk them over and get them
going.
The grant criteria are deliberately broad to encourage a range
of projects from across the region. The program seeks projects
that:
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Help with ground truthing and testing of R&D findings;
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Help improve the levels of adoption of R&D outcomes;
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Help improve the levels of adoption of myBMP;
■■
Grow the skills and knowledge base of cotton growers and
their communities;
■■
Grow the economic and/or social base of cotton grower
groups and their communities;
■■
Increase networking between growers, consultants and
researchers;
■■
Encourage new growers to the cotton industry; and,
■■
Strengthen collaboration across communities, across industries
and regions.
Examples of projects already undertaken are the purchase of
a weather station allowing Walgett Growers to participate in
the IrriSAT Project, the employment of a Network Development
Officer to facilitate information/knowledge exchange between
existing and new growers across cotton and grain farming
systems in the Lower Namoi, and the Macquarie Cotton Growers
Welcome Back Project in response to a resurgence in new
growers and a lack of engagement in the industry.
Applications are open until June 2013 with the maximum
funding level $10,000, however projects that demonstrate
collaboration with more than one partner or that cover a wider
geographical area may be considered for higher levels of funding.
Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss potential projects with Sally
Hunter of FundBase.
Sally Hunter – sally@fundbase.com.au, 0459 944 778.
6 — The Australian Cottongrower October–November 2012