The new equipment aims to improve sustainability and reduce energy costs on farms, with the money hailing from the government's Agriculture Energy Investment Plan grants.
Cobram’s FR Gattuso Orchards owner Fred Gattuso was one of the three local grant recipients and said he would use the $4500 towards the installation of a variable speed drive on an existing pump to create energy savings.
“The drive will be make the pump more efficient — so the motor will rev down in accordance with what amount of energy is needed, instead of going at 100 per cent the entire time,” Mr Gattuso said.
“It will keep costs down — and becoming energy-efficient is the way of the future.
“I am a third-generation farmer so the cost savings will help me expand my business, pay local workers and invest in the farm,” he said.
RG Webb Pty Ltd from Numurkah also received nearly $30,000 to put towards the installation of a 35 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system on its dairy shed to reduce mains electricity use and electrification of a diesel-fired water pump to reduce diesel consumption, while Ryanag Pty Ltd from Yarrawonga received $50,000 towards installation of a 97 kW solar PV system to reduce mains electricity use.
Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp announced the latest round of grant recipients on Tuesday, September 22, and said the funding would help support farm businesses to complete projects to improve their energy efficiency, reduce on-farm costs and maintain their competitiveness.
“We’re making sure we can best support farmers to save on their energy bills and make their businesses more efficient — it’s important that we undertake thorough energy efficiency assessments so farmers can get the best cost savings,” he said.
To help dairy farmers facing particularly challenging seasonal and market conditions, the grants process will now be streamlined for dairy farmers applying for small energy grants, who will be able to receive grants for eligible equipment of up to $50,000 by selecting from a list of pre-approved items without requiring an on-farm energy assessment.
The Agriculture Energy Investment Plan was designed to strengthen the industry’s ability to adapt to changing energy conditions and includes $5 million for energy efficiency assessments on-farm, $20 million in grants to support farmers invest in energy efficiency and own generation technology, and $2.5 million to link farmers and businesses to information, education resources and apps.
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