Citrus farming is becoming bigger business in Queensland, and Nick and Lissette Bligh, of Bounty Farms, are set to take advantage of the opportunity for expansion in the Murray-Darling basin, with a $100,000 grant fund to support the diversification of the land into permanent citrus crop. “Citrus diversification will have synergies with our existing grape operation, with many efficiencies to be gained from our existing infrastructure,” says Mr Bligh.
The Blighs intend to build relationships with existing market suppliers and consistent export supply to combat a volatile domestic price market when their crops come online.
Bounty Farms will diversify and begin growing Afourer mandarins, Tahitian limes and Australian native limes for domestic or export markets. “The Afourer variety has been chosen, as it is an almost seedless, easy-peeling variety which suits the export and domestic markets,” adds Mr Bligh. As soon as work commences 80 percent of the grant money is available for use, with the remaining 20 percent paid on completion of the project in June 2017.
Although citrus is a small-scale crop, the St George climate is suited to growing it, provided enough water is applied, and a cover crop grown, according to Mr Bligh. Trees will be sourced as soon as available from Golden Grove nursery at Torbanlea, and the grant process was well worth doing, he says, as it gave he and his wife confidence to move forward with a clear plan. “We may not have proceeded at such a scale, and definitely not in the same timeframe, without the grant.”
The benefits of the project are expected to extend through the local community, boosting employment, production and spending, Mr Bligh believes. The Blighs received an additional $5,000 to help with the grant budget and business plan, and employed local Goondiwindi firm Insight Accounting to assist. The Blighs have also employed citrus consultant Brett Irvine to assist.
Bounty Farms currently grows 27 hectares of table grapes, but there is enough water and land to grow permanent crops, according to Mr Bligh, with 72 hectares under sub-surface drip irrigation divided into 8 blocks, another 30 available for the same pump infrastructure and water allocation of 695 megalitres from the St George channel. Additional water harvesting allocation is available, and 300 megalitres can be stored on-farm.
Labour cost, crop sunburn and weeds will be significant challenges to overcome, however Mr Bligh says that he has a plan to deal with those issues, and Bounty Farms does not object to using staff who will stay on for longer periods, to reduce training costs and turnover risk.
The Queensland Department of Agriculture also congratulated the Blighs, adding a statement: "It’s great to see a new opportunity start in the region and hopefully many more to come through future funding rounds," said Justin Heaven. "The program is all about diversification and the Bligh’s have worked hard to investigate and understand what will work best with their existing operation”
For more information:
Funding is offered under the Queensland Government's High Value Horticulture Value chains for the Queensland Murray Darling Basin Project. Funding is given under the Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Project.
Two upcoming seminars will be held for growers interested in learning more about the project.
Tuesday September 15, 2015
Goondiwindi - Gateway to Training
15-21 Russell St, Goondiwindi
8:30am-3:00pm
Wednesday September 16, 2015
St George - St George Golf Club
Wage Road St George
8:30am-3:00pm
RSVP or direct your questions to Rob Lomman
Phone: +61475808701
E-mail: rob.lomman@daf.qld.gov.au