{"id":321346,"date":"2022-07-14T13:22:52","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T03:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=321346"},"modified":"2022-07-14T16:06:32","modified_gmt":"2022-07-14T06:06:32","slug":"crop-netting-trial-expanded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/07\/14\/crop-netting-trial-expanded\/","title":{"rendered":"Crop Netting Trial Expanded"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 14, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

More horticulture producers across Queensland will benefit from an expanded trial of the Federal Government\u2019s Horticultural Netting Program, which offsets the cost of installing netting.<\/p>\n

The program has been expanded from the initial trial of apple and pear production to include all horticultural industries (except wine grapes).<\/p>\n

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said investing in netting would have long-term benefits.<\/p>\n

\u201cHail is a serious and costly threat to growers and installing netting will mean Queensland produce is more protected, which is good for growers and good for consumers,\u201d Senator Watt said.<\/p>\n

Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said the expanded trial would help Queensland growers to protect their enterprises and farm gate returns.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith hail and animal predation such an issue, this program will help producers to build greater climate resilience into their operations,\u201d Mr Furner said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThrough the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), producers can apply for a Federal grant of 50 per cent up to a maximum of $300,000 to offset the cost of purchasing and installing horticultural netting on existing commercial horticulture crops.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis includes the associated infrastructure such as poles or costs associated with contractors installing or preparing for installation activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Queensland Government will administer the Horticultural Netting Program – Trial Expansion in this State on behalf of the Australian Government.\u201d<\/p>\n

QRIDA will assess applications in order of receipt, and subject to the available Federal funding.<\/p>\n