Levy and database push for fodder industry

The hay industry needs to look in to how a levy could work. Here’s why.

Production boost: Research into changing climate patterns could lead to better management of hay, a grower says.

FOLLOWING calls from the fodder industry for a national database, an Arnold producer is also recommending a new levy to create a research and development fund for growers.

Beef, lamb and wool producer Carly Noble said the levy could be put towards a research development and adoption fund that could help mitigate climate risks.

“For example, there could be a 1 per cent levy on each bale produced,” Ms Noble said.

The fund could go towards the Grains Research and Development Corporation to assist further research, Ms Noble said, or help fund Nuffield Australia scholarships.

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“I’m concerned about what the future is going to look like with climate issues, what is going to happen to current production levels, We need risk mitigation,” she said.

“I know of experienced growers who left the industry because of quality issues with their fodder as weather patterns get harder to predict, time windows for cropping change and water prices continue to rise.”

Ms Noble also backed calls by the Australian Fodder Industry Association earlier this year for a national fodder database.

“I am concerned that there is no database to know how much fodder is around or to measure where fodder is produced,” Ms Noble said.

AFIA chief executive John McKew said there would need to be a “large degree” of consultation to get the levy off the ground.

“We need to firstly look at what are we trying to solve with the levy and what issues we are trying to find,” he said.

“Who would collect it, who would be the custodians and how would be the best way to use it.”

If the levy helped with conducting research into moisture levels and to assist with drought-proofing crops, Mr McKew said it would be beneficial.

“It would absolutely be great for Nuffield Scholarships as well, as we need to upskill the next generation,” he said.

“It is a good idea but it needs a lot of thinking behind it.”

Mr McKew reiterated the call for a national database and said a document developed in 2009 by AFIA, AgriFutures and Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, could be used as a starting point.

“The document was titled Australian Fodder Industry, an overview of production use and trade,” he said.

“We have written to the Department of Agriculture to put together an updated version of this document. We could then collect information on an ongoing basis.”

He said the industry could not “turn its back” on other industries who required information.