Renewable energy was a hot topic at the cotton Big Day Out field day held on a property near Gunnedah recently.
Many farmers from the Narrabri area travelled to hear the latest information from energy researchers and experienced growers.
Speakers talked about hybrid electric solar powered pumping and the future of the relatively new technologies.
Maules Creek farmer, Brendon Warnock, said it’s important to explore cheaper, alternative energy sources.
“Wherever there are costs going up, and energy costs have been going up, people will start looking to innovate and reduce those costs,” he said.
“The research, development and investment is on the right track.”
Mr Warnock believes it could be some years before he is able to use solar powered systems on his farm.
“There’s still some work to do to make it cost competitive, but there’s definitely progress being made and it’s a space where we’re going to keep a pretty close eye on especially if we continue to invest in our pumping infrastructure,” he said.
“It’s a bit tricky at the moment
because fuel prices have come down recently and it depends on whether that’s a lasting trend or whether prices return back to the $1.60 levels, because it’s high fuel prices that drive the push to find these alternatives.”
Last year Mr Warnock won Cotton Australia High Achiever of the Year award winner, which was why he made a special presentation at the field day.
He gave insights into the experience of being nominated for the award and the judging process, encouraging others in the community to consider who they might nominate.
He also spoke about his farm operation, including strategic planning, human resource management and expansion.
Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) Research and Development manager, Jane Trindall, said it was important to bring growers together on-farm to hear from specialists and see alternative energy infrastructure.
“With fuel, oil and electricity costs now the third biggest input cost for cotton farms, there is growing demand for information on alternative and renewable energy sources,” Mrs Trindall said.
Scott Morgan hosted the day on his property “Kensal Green” near Gunnedah.
CottonInfo and its associated partners, CRDC, Cotton Australia and Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD), ran the field day, with funding assistance from the Commonwealth Department of Industry and Science.
A donated Oz Forecast weather station was auctioned at the Gunnedah day to raise money to support of Narrabri boy Zander Simmonds who is receiving treatment for a serious medical condititon.
Meanwhile, entries have opened for this year’s cotton industry High Achiever of the Year Award, which will be presented at the biennial Cotton Collective to be held at the Crossing Theatre in Narrabri in August this year.