Alternative and renewable energy sources, including solar for powering cotton production, were hot topics at this week’s (24 and 25 February) CottonInfo Big Days Out at St George, QLD and Gunnedah, NSW.
The days attracted 60 and 80 participants respectively and visitors were keen to hear from experienced growers, energy researchers, auditors, consultants and system providers.
Ian and Anne Brimblecombe hosted the first day at their St George farm, “Burgorah”, while day two was on Scott Morgan’s property “Kensal Green”, Gunnedah.
AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year, Narrabri farmer Brendon Warnock featured at the days, sharing insights into his farm operation, including strategic planning, human resource management and expansion.
CottonInfo and its associated partners, CRDC, Cotton Australia and Cotton Seed Distributors (CSD), ran the events, with funding assistance from the Commonwealth Department of Industry and Science.
Speaker presentations.
St George Big Day Out:
- Brendon Warnock, AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year. Decision making and farm management.
- Ian Brimblecombe, cotton grower. Overview of energy on Burgorah.
- Dr Joseph Foley, National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture. Large mixed flow pump efficiency in cotton.
- Jon Welsh, CottonInfo technical specialist. Renewable policy incentives. The economics of solar/grid irrigation bores.
- Glenn Clark, Yellow Dot Energy. Hybrid pumping systems for irrigation.
- Peter Bulanyi, Si Clean Energy. AC solar pumping technology: potential applications for agriculture.
Gunnedah Big Day Out:
- Brendon Warnock, AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year. Decision making and farm management.
- Keith Higgins, energy consultant/lecturer. Energy use in the future: renewables and battery storage applications.
- Jon Welsh, CottonInfo technical specialist. Renewable policy incentives. The economics of solar/grid irrigation bores.
- Peter Bulanyi, Si Clean Energy. AC solar pumping technology: potential applications for agriculture.
- Glenn Clark, Yellow Dot Energy. Hybrid pumping systems for irrigation.
- Andrew Clarke, BCWenergy. Energy audit/tariffs, cotton case study.
Videos.
Short videos summarising the CottonInfo Big Day Outs are available on CottonInfo's youtube site.
Photos.
(Also available to view via the CottonInfo flickr page).
St George:
Gunnedah:
