New online tools to help farmers cut the costs of their inputs will soon be available.
State Government investment in the new tools, including a program to calculate potential yields based on growing season rainfall, followed the release of the Farm Inputs Taskforce report.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today accepted the report which investigated rising farm expenses and outlined 32 wide-ranging recommendations surrounding the use and cost of key inputs.
"The work undertaken by the taskforce highlights the need for farmers to control costs in order to make a profit. As part of that, the Department of Agriculture and Food has renewed its focus on helping farmers make the best use of their inputs to improve their productivity," Mr Redman said.
"By mid-2010, farmers will have access to a web-based program for wheat, helping them get the most from their crop by identifying factors that are limiting their production.
"This online tool will be available on the department's website and allow farmers, consultants and agribusiness to gain a better understanding of the relationship between annual yields and rainfall. This is vital to making good decisions early in the cropping season.
"A potassium calculator for crops and pastures is also expected to be made available by the end of 2010, for use by fertiliser and agribusiness companies. This will advise farmers on the most effective use of potassium on their farm, which in turn will reduce costs.
"The department will also continue to work with beef and dairy producers to ensure fertiliser efficiency strategies are adopted through the Fertiliser Action Plan on the Swan Coastal Plain.
"There are also a wide range of other recommendations which the department is already undertaking work in the areas of mental health, bio-fuels, support for cooperatives and development of rigorous supply chain analysis.
"This is about doing what we can to see more dollars stay in farmer's pockets. While input prices have fallen from the record highs of the past two years, lower commodity prices mean that WA farmers have to operate at the highest levels of efficiency to maintain profits.
"My sincere thanks to the taskforce members for their hard work on the report. Rural Business Development Corporation chair Rob Sands chaired the taskforce, with membership including representatives from the banking sector, farmer groups, agricultural consultants and farm inputs suppliers."
A copy of the report and recommendations is available from the Department of Agriculture and Food at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au or by calling 9368 3156.
Minister's office - 9213 6700
