Monday July 23, 2012

ABOUT 100 people saw how successful cotton farming could be in North West Queensland after visiting the only cotton farm in the region – Silver Hills Station, north of Richmond.

The visit was part of the Northern Outback Irrigators Forum, which started today (July 23).

This is the first year cotton has been farmed on this property after it was stopped about 12 years ago.  Station owner Corbett Tritton set the property up for irrigation when he was an earthmoving contractor at the mines more than 10 years ago.

"What we set out to do was to drought-proof our property (Silver Hills) by creating a large water storage facility to see us through those dry times," Mr Tritton told media earlier this year.

Consequently, Silver Hills now has a 5000ML storage tank with water diverted from licensed weirs on the Flinders.

"I first planted cotton in 1998 to 2001, which achieved a yield of up to eight bales to the hectare," Mr Tritton said. "Then the government decided to put a moratorium on development and implement a water resource plan for the Gulf rivers.

"This action effectively halted any interest in developing farms on the Flinders River. Now, 11 years later, it's back on."

The cotton currently has to be transported to the gin in Emerald for processing and this will cost around $100/bale. Mr Tritton believes that if the Flinders River Ag Precinct goes ahead and more farmers grow cotton, it would be viable to establish a gin in the district.

He said cotton was suited to the district if it could be irrigated, as it had few pests, the soil type was right and research had made it easier to grow with better genetic varieties.

"Chickpeas, sorghum, corn and mungbeans can also be successfully grown in the district, but at the moment the high cost of freight beats you,’’ he said.

As to the establishment of the Flinders Ag Precinct, Mr Tritton said the best thing he could do to help was to grow a successful crop to prove to the powers that be that irrigated cropping is a viable alternative.

"When we have more farmers in the area, we will be able to forward market, which will give more security to farming," he said.

At today’s field trip Cotton Australia representatives said Mr Tritton has an impressive cotton crop and explained processes involved in ensuring good production. 

Mr Tritton and Cotton Australia Consultant Anne Tuart spoke to forum delegates, which included farmers, government representatives, banking and law industry representatives and scientists. 

The group then returned to Richmond Shire Council where they heard about the history of irrigation in the Flinders River by Richmond Mayor John Wharton.

The forum continues tomorrow with a full-day agenda of guest speakers from around the country, including Federal Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development, Local Government and Minister for Arts Hon Simon Crean MP.

For more information contact Flinders Shire Council Deputy Mayor Ninian Stewart-Moore on 0414 311 516.