Megatrends Shaping Australian Agriculture

Research conducted by the ABARES and CSIRO has revealed five key ‘megatrends’ that are set to shape Australia’s food and fibre industries in the coming decades. These megatrends are predicted to pose influential opportunities and challenges for farmers, the government and the economy.  

The five megatrends have been identified as:

  1. Growth juggernaut: Three billion empowered consumers
  2. Fractal politics: Beware the dance of giants
  3. More from less: The permanent race for advantage
  4. Cascading planetary risks: Coming, ready or not
  5. Disruptive technologies: Opportunities for the brave.

Read on to understand the impact these megatrends are set to have on the Australian agricultural industry. 

1. Growth juggernaut: Three billion empowered consumers

Accelerated growth in emerging economies is expected to elevate incomes and economic capacity. With the rise in income, expectations are set to rise too. Now empowered and broadened middle class will demand high quality and a greater volume of food and fibre; emphasising more diverse diets and more protein. Greater emphasis is being placed on health, ethics and sustainability. 

This rising income is occurring primarily in emerging Asian economies: China, India and Indonesia are primary drivers of this accelerated growth. 

Empowered consumers will shape markets

The volume of people in high-income countries is expected to triple by early 2050. Average incomes across emerging Asia are projected to increase by about 150%, or 2.5 times 2015 levels by 2050. This will significantly contribute to global economic growth. However, shifts leaning towards greater protectionism appears likely in agriculture markets. This will risk slowing the rate of global growth. For Australian agriculture specifically, this megatrend risks reducing the extent of new trade opportunities for local exporters.  

Demand for high quality food will continue grow strongly

With rising incomes, comes rising expectations. Rising incomes in emerging economies will result in shifts in food demand. Instead of grains, rice and other starchy staples, emphasis will be placed on protein rich animal products, plant-based food products, fruits and vegetables. 

Consumer attitudes and expectations will continue to evolve

Emphasis will also be placed on foods that are perceived to be healthy, convenient, ethical and sustainable for the environment. While these shifts present opportunities for Australian agriculture, they also pose challenges. If Australian regulations and expectations do not align with those found in our key export markets, this may harm the Australian agricultural industry’s competitiveness and brand positioning.  

Key implications on Australian Agriculture

  • Rising incomes in Asia is expected to have a greater impact on export demand compared to increased global population. 
  • Potential environmental concerns concerning greenhouse gas emissions pose challenges for Australia’s livestock exports. These sustainability concerns have motivated Australia’s livestock industry to set a carbon neutral target for 2030.
  • Australia’s geography, institutions and natural endowments have us well-positioned to supply to international markets and capitalise on these changes. 

2. Fractal politics: Beware the dance of giants

The rise in multiple global powers will see changes in economic, military and cultural powers across the world. As nations place greater emphasis on their sovereignty, global trade and international relationships, as well as food and fibre markets and supply chains, will become more complex. 

Seven giants will pursue their individual interests

In the coming decades, geopolitics will continue to reflect the ‘dance of the giants’. 7 nations/regions account for between half to two-thirds of the world’s food production, energy, economic activity and extractions. 

This shift to a more multi-polar world may result in unstable geopolitics and economics. This will likely strain international cooperation.  

Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity require improved cooperation, but make it more difficult

Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity are anticipated to become more evident in future decades. Implications of this trend will occur across multiple domains. One particular implication is that cooperation between different groups across nations and the globe will likely become more difficult. 

Declining trust in evidence and institutions could amplify threats and weaken cooperation

Distrust in institutions, science and evidence are expected to worsen global cooperation efforts. The wide-ranging experiences that have taken place across the world as a result of COVID-19 illustrate the risk for political and cultural divides, but also the opportunity to foster bipartisan support for evidence-based approaches by government and business. 

Key implications for agriculture

  • Efficient market access and a committed effort to discourage protectionist policies will help  Australian agricultural exporters to realise the benefits of increasing global trade volumes.   
  • Australian exporters are set to face greater risks concerning consumer attitudes and market access in importing nations. 
  • Our local reputation for supplying high-quality, ethical, sustainable and nutritious products is likely to become more important in the coming decades. 

3. More from less: The permanent race for advantage

A commitment to ongoing innovation is crucial to ensuring profitable, sustainable and competitive food and fibre enterprises for Australian agriculture. Ongoing innovation will be the vehicle for better productivity and smarter use of energy, water, land, labour and materials. 

Despite the importance of innovation, the benefits will not be shared evenly. Often, innovation can worsen existing pressures placed on rural industries and regional communities.

Outputs up, inputs down

The Australian agricultural industry is heavily dependent on exports – around 70% of our production is exported, with fairly low levels of government support.  While net farm income has increased faster than output value, on-farm employment (which includes labour completed by farm owners) has dropped by 25% over the last thirty years. Gross value of agricultural production has increased by 26% and value-added by 74%. 

This spike in productivity can be largely attributed to increases in farm scale, improved genetics, and continuous innovation in management practices.

Improved yields will increase output volumes, but consumers may benefit more than producers

Consumer access to food supply has dramatically improved over the last 70 years. This trend is set to continue with improved management practices and continuous technological innovations.  

Social concerns will shape competitiveness

Reflecting increasing household incomes, many markets and countries are set to limit potentially certain technologies. For example, GMO food corps or certain livestock management practices will eventually be considered prohibited. While this may initially constrain productivity growth it will likely bring about greater environmental outcomes and new producer opportunities. 

Key implications for agriculture

  • Innovative farm management practices, technology and greater economic policy settings will play an important role in advancing agricultural productivity. 
  • The trend of fewer, larger farms is set to continue. This will facilitate greater productivity and support farm incomes. It will also contribute to a declining share of regional employment.  
  • Developing access to high value consumers will rely on industry and government efforts to ensure agricultural management practices stay aligned with consumer expectations. This can be illustrated from paddock to plate at relevant scales. 

4. Cascading planetary risks: Coming, ready or not

Advancements to earth systems at all scales are creating risks, challenges and opportunities. Already, agriculture has been impacted by this, and has started adapting. In future, client and commodity prices are expedited to become more volatile. On the other hand, emerging markets for carbon and ecosystem services may have the potential to transform business models.

Science suggests major challenges ahead

Evidence continues to show that current agricultural practices are causing multiple environmental problems. Despite large-scale shifts towards renewable energy sources, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. However, ABARES modelling has explored potential scenarios for irrigated agriculture in the Murray Darling Basin. Plus, the ABARES is working on developing capabilities to assess potential future climate scenarios across various broadacre farms in Australia.   

Interactions and feedbacks often amplify risks

Greenhouse gas emissions across the globe are bringing the world closer to climate thresholds, which contributes to accelerated climate change, including rising sea levels and temperatures. These rising temperatures also risk longer and more destructive bushfire seasons. 

Reducing net emissions and protecting natural assets could benefit landholders

Regional communities and consumers will increasingly demand producers protect natural assets. This includes a commitment to maintaining healthy ecosystems, water quality and protecting species’ habitats. 

Key implications for agriculture

  • Profitable farming needs to merge with a sustainability-focused approach to maintain access to premium consumers. 
  • As a result of climate change, catastrophic events including fires, floods and droughts will become more severe. This will cause agricultural commodity prices and market access to become more volatile. 
  • Expected hotter and drier conditions will affect the profitability of agriculture. 

5. Disruptive technologies: Opportunities for the brave

Technological advancements are set to disrupt and influence how food and fibre products are manufactured, marketed and delivered. New skills and partnerships will be required as supply chains and customer engagements become more agile and interconnected.

Information-rich production systems will provide new levels of control, and accountability

The emergence of new technologies will significantly influence Australian agriculture. Connectivity across billions of devices, often referred to as the ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’, will transform supply chains in the future.  

Revolutionary connectivity will enable new types and levels of customer engagement

Supply chain management in agriculture will see real-time tracking of quantity, quality and unique characteristics of food and fibre products. 

Unlocking these opportunities will require new data sharing and governance

To ensure the benefits of digitisation are realised,  Australian agriculture needs to establish a new operating model focused on collaboration and information sharing.  

Key implications for agriculture

  • Strategic decision making and informed approaches to risk management will be essential tools for Australian farmers. 
  • Managing volatility in the future will rely on integrated and interconnected systems. 
  • Efficient use of data will influence access to capital, including equity investments in family farms.
  • Taking advantage of disruptive technologies will rely on new approaches to managing data and information. This will see new roles emerge in the private sector and in government, to facilitate a shared ecosystem. 

Global Rotomoulding has a strong relationship with Australia’s agricultural industry. These key trends identified by the ABARES and CSIRO are set to offer both positive and challenging outcomes for Australian farmers. Global Rotomoulding has been supporting the Australian agricultural industry through our extensive supply of leading agricultural equipment. Contact our friendly team to learn more today.  

5 Australian Women in Agriculture You Should Know

The stereotype that your typical Aussie farmer is a blokey man who wears a straw hat is outdated. In fact, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES), women are estimated to take up around 32 percent of agricultural workers. Leading industry body AgriFutures suggests this figure is likely higher, as many women are not adequately recognised for their contributions.  

With new generations coming through, a gender balance in the agricultural industry is slowly forming. Of all students studying agricultural science at university, 55% are women. Beyond traditional farming, careers in agriculture have extended to a range of professions, including finance, food innovation, engineering and programming, and entrepreneurialism.

Women in agriculture are also among Australia’s hardest workers. They work tiresome, long hours on properties. On top of this, they do even more domestic work that city women – 75% complete five or more hours of domestic work every week, 16% higher than the national average. Women in agriculture also complete more volunteer work and earn a substantial 75% of their income from work completed outside the farm. This provides necessary financial support during harsh economic times for their families. 

In celebration of International Women’s Day, here we uncover five Australian women in agriculture you need to know about. 

Karin Stark 

Karin Stark has long been acutely aware of climate change. She completed a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainable Development, but noticed the brutal effects of climate change for herself when she moved with her partner to his NSW farm, “Waverleigh”.  

Over the years, “Waverleigh” has been exposed to harsh floods, unforgiving droughts and sweltering summers. Karin has taken action to operate in an environmentally friendly way since she started opening the farm with her partner. She had a 500kW solar diesel hybrid irrigation pump, the largest in the country, installed. This has reduced their CO2 emissions by 500 tonnes annually. Plus, it saved them $170,000 a year in energy costs. It will likely be paying for itself within five years. 

Karin believes using these large scale solar pumping applications will be a gamechanger for irrigated agriculture. Keen to share her story so that others can benefit from the use of renewables on their farms, Karin founded the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Expo. She is also the Director of Farm Renewables Consulting.

Darrylin Gordon

Darrylin Gordon is a Jaru woman and pastoralist from Halls Creek in Western Australia. She works on the Ngunjiwirri Aboriginal Corporation-owned Lamboo Station, located in the Kimberley region. Passionate about developing the life-skills of Indigenous Australians, Darrylin runs three-month-long camps to help them to find sustainable work in agriculture, mining and tourism.    

In 2018, Darrylin achieved runner-up at the WA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Awards. Her two bursaries she received, worth $15,000, were poured right back into her program. 

Darrylin is passionate about breaking down cultural and social barriers that prevent Indigenous Australians from accessing opportunities for work and training.

Allison Mudford

Allison works on her family’s 2,500 acre farm. She performs rigorous physical work on the farm, as well as managing the accounting and marketing of the business. Allison sits on the board of the Hunter Land Services and the National Parks and Wildlife Services’ regional advisory panel, northern inland. On top of this, the mother of three manages to work part-time for the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal. Here, she works on projects with rural communities to help them combat burnout. 

Allison studied Agricultural Science at Melbourne University. By the age of 21, she had bought her own farm, after having worked at Landcare. After eventually meeting husband Daniel, who also had a farm, they purchased their own farm in the Macedon Ranges, Victoria. While they continued to work their corporate jobs while farming, they eventually took on farming full time.

www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/4921786/scholarship-honour-for-farming-achiever/

Fleur McDonald

Fleur McDonald has managed to sell over 600,000 copies of her books. She is one of Australia’s leading rural literature authors. Fleur’s work has been inspired by her life on farms. She grew up on her parent’s property in regional South Australia and now resides on her 8000-acre property in regional Western Australia.  

When Fleur started working on farms in the 1990s, it was uncommon for women to identify themselves as agricultural workers. Often Fleur was ridiculed for her choices. She also experienced sexual harassment at the hands of an overseer. 

Fleur is now the Company Secretary and a board member for the industry body, Women in Agriculture. She also runs a not-for-profit organisation, Breaking the Silence, which assists women and children escaping domestic violence.

 

Chris Ferguson

Chris Ferguson is a goat grazer who works between far north-west and central New South Wales. She runs the popular social media blog, Life in the Mulga. She’s a passionate advocate for rural Australia, and has amassed almost 9k followers on her Instagram and Facebook blogs. Chris utilises her platform to raise awareness of the challenges impacting life in regional Australia.  

Having worked on farms since she was young, when Chris was 30, she and her then-husband purchased land for a farm. Years later after her separation, Chris bought out her ex-husband’s share in the property and farmed as a single woman for several years. She later re-partnered with another farmer, who she later purchased a large farm with. 

Chris strives to show the real face of agriculture in Australia, and the important role women play in agriculture, through her social media. Noting the lack of people and businesses located in regional areas, Chris hopes to see more people choose to live in regional and rural areas, and believes this will have a critical impact on the growth of the Australian agricultural industry. 

Global Rotomoulding is proud to have a strong connection with Australia’s agricultural industry. Women play a vital role in agriculture and are key to the future developments of the industry. To learn more about Global Rotomoulding’s agricultural products and services, explore our website or chat with our helpful team.

A Tour Though Broken Hill – Movies, Mining, Drag & More

G’day everyone, your favourite well-travelled delivery driver is back. It’s Uncle Garry’s Aussie Country Town Tour part 2! 

Last week I shared my tour through the Agricultural mecca, Mildura. Check it out here if you haven’t yet. This week while watching Mad Max Fury Road on a Netflix binge I was driven back (ahhh get it?) to the time I spent at Broken Hill. 

The far-west New South Wales outback town was the filming location for the 1981 classic, ‘Mad Max 2’. But, this film is just one of many feathers in the ‘Silver City’s’ cap. 

Broken Hill has a cluster of identities which are all so different, yet united. The town is Australia’s longest-lived mining town and is bespeckled with memorabilia and artefacts of the industry. It’s a town where men can comfortably wear dirt or makeup on their faces. Broken Hill reinvented itself as a hotspot for the LGBTQ community after the 1994 hit film ‘Priscilla Queen of The Desert’ made a stop in the city. 

And that’s still just touching the surface. The town has a rich art culture and deep history – when you combine all the features, you get a country town like no other. 

A Must See For Movie Buffs

Broken Hill has featured in a whopping 35 movies! I mentioned ‘Mad Max 2’ and ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ earlier, but films like ‘Mission Impossible II’, ‘Last Cab To Darwin’, ‘Strangerland’, ‘A Town Like Alice’ and many more have filmed scenes in the desert town. The seemingly endless desert looks like it’s miles from civilisation and filmmakers love using the sprawling sandscapes to their advantage. 

Visit the Silverton Hotel, just 30 minutes drive from the Broken Hill centre, which was also a filming location for several movies. If you’re a Mel Gibson fan, you need to check out the Mad Max Museum.

Where To Stay In Broken Hill

Enjoy your outback adventure in true-blue Aussie comfort. Get classic country hospitality with a twist by staying in the Palace Hotel, located in the heart of Broken Hill. The mural clad walls of the hotel are iconic and a must-see stop. Most murals include a water feature so that the hotel feels like an oasis in the outback. The hotel regulars are the tough local workers and flamboyant drag-queens who journey to the former stage of ‘Priscilla Queen of The Desert’. Each September the hotel and the Broken Heel Festival join forces to celebrate the birthday of Queen Priscilla. 

If you’re looking for a more standard hotel experience, I recommend relaxing at the ibis Styles Broken Hill hotel or the Lodge Outback Inn. Both are cozy stays and offer great ways to cool off from the desert climate. 

Living Desert Sculptures 

Feel like you’re looking at artifacts from a bygone era by checking out the Living Desert Sculptures. If you want to have a laugh, you could probably convince the kids they actually are, even though they were erected in 1993. These beautiful sandstone sculptures are a quick 9km drive north and make for fantastic photos at sunset. The sandstone sculptures overlook vast desert and they glow brilliantly when touched by the setting sun. 

Dig For Gems 

The Broken Hill region is renowned among mineral collectors because of the wealthy gem deposits across the land. Thousands of small mineral deposits still surround the area and are widely popular spots for fossickers. If you’re an aspiring treasure hunter, this region is a perfect spot to try your luck, given you get permission. 

If you’re interested in geology swing by the Albert Kersten Mining & Minerals Museum (GeoCentre). The museum tells the story of how Broken Hill formed the biggest deposit of silver, lead and zinc in the world. It also displays a famous collection of minerals extracted from the region. 

Art and History

Now I don’t have much of an eye for art, but there was something about the true-blue atmosphere surrounding Broken Hill that made me want to visit as many galleries as I could. You’ll be spoiled for choice in this outback town as art flows through the very veins of the region. 

If you had to condense your sightseeing to one gallery, it has to be the famous Pro Hart gallery. Celebrating one of Australia’s most affluent outback painters, the gallery includes original paintings and honour pieces dedicated to Hart. If you’re not immediately moved by his colourful portrayals of the Australian ecosystem, listen to his personal story, it’s a perfect Aussie underdog tale.  

Where To Eat 

Foodies will want to make a stop at S-Que, a poolside restaurant that uses great seasonal produce to create delectable, simple meals. The staff were super friendly and made the whole experience fantastic.

Even if you don’t decide to stay at the Palace Hotel, still visit the downstairs restaurant. Gaze at the artistic murals while sipping on a beer/cocktail and enjoying a pub feed. Blast to the past by having a milkshake at the 50s themed Bell’s Milk Bar. 

 

Once again that’s all I have time for this week. I hope you found something of use for your next trip to Broken Hill. There is so much history and depth in this town that the best way to experience it all is go and explore yourself. The locals are the best tour guides and will be more than willing to point you in the right direction. Have fun, explore and delve deep into the kaleidoscope of culture that is Broken Hill. 

Why Plastic Parts Are Rapidly Overtaking Metal

Plastic vs metal – it’s a long-debated topic in agricultural, mechanical, automotive and several other industries. While metal parts and assets have been king since the first machines were created, new science has made a new (better suited) successor. Enter plastic. 

Traditionally plastics struggled to compete with the strength and durability of metals. However, current plastic technologies have allowed this substance to perform as well as, and, in some cases better than, metal. 

So when both substances can perform the same job at the same level, it boils down to cost, weight and efficiency – to which plastic is the clear victor. 

If you haven’t already, it’s time to start rethinking where you’re using metal parts and consider if you could benefit from a cheaper and better tool. 

Plastic – Stronger Than You’d Think

Plastics excel at having a high strength-to-weight ratio. It can withstand more stress before failure while weighing less than a metal part. Combine this with better tensile strength and a higher ability to resist being deformed under mass density and plastic makes a good argument against metal enthusiasts. 

The below diagram shows a broad performance range of several plastics (categorised in Polymer and Composite categories) and how they compare to metal options. While the strongest metals rank higher than plastics, the plastic options aren’t far behind and have a lower density. 

Better Chemical Resistances 

Plastics are generally less susceptible to damage from chemicals or chemical reactions. Metal water storage tanks can cause zinc to leak through your water supply, leaving an unpleasant metallic taste. 

Worse, a study by the Public and Environmental Health Service in Tasmania found harmful lead levels in some stainless steel tanks. Steel tanks are used commonly in the mining industry to store sulfuric acid. At a high concentration (98% or above) steel can handle the acidic qualities of the acid for years. However, once the solution is diluted (Lower than 93%) the formula becomes highly corrosive. Poly liquid storage tanks, which we specialise in, can dependably store this acid at most concentrations. 

Poly Plastics, The Lightweight Champion 

More weight means more power is needed to move it. One of the best reasons to replace your heavy steel products with lightweight plastic products is you significantly lower your load. 

Our poly agricultural equipment is easy to roll, lift and reposition. Very rarely do we rely on heavy machinery when it comes to installing even our largest products. If you’re looking to replace a vehicle-mounted item with a plastic one, you’ll have improved fuel efficiency and no problem lifting them on or off your ute.

Faster Fabrication Times To Meet Strict Deadlines

Time equals money! When you’re in a pinch and need a replacement part fast, utilising plastic manufacturing will have you back on your feet long before a metal replacement can be created. 

Plastic’s design flexibility allows for designs to be created in one part, whereas metal parts often require assembly or welding to create one piece. Because of a more simplistic design process, you save time, labour and cost compared to what metal manufacturing would take. 

Heat Resistance

The biggest argument against plastics is it’s lower melting point than popular metals like steel or iron. However new high-performance thermoplastics technology has a melting point of 3593.333°C where carbon steel melts between 1425 – 1540°C. Still, most common plastics will melt somewhere in the 200°C range.

Know When It’s Right To Use 

Your safety and wellbeing is our priority at Global. While we love the benefits plastics offer, sometimes metal is the right material for the job. Consider these cons when planning your replacements.

Limited Wear Resistance

Plastic’s low resistance threshold means it may be affected by high temperatures, acidity and other corrosive elements. However, there are higher-resistance plastic options better suited for handling chemicals. For example, our rotomoulded cartage tanks are suitable for transporting diesel and a range of other substances. 

Lower Structural Strength

Plastics are unsuited for supporting structures and replacing high-weight bearing parts of heavy machinery.  

If you feel that lightweight plastic will benefit you, the team at Global Rotomoulding can help out. We create a range of tanks, parts and other agricultural equipment. If you want a custom plastic piece to help you out, call us today to see how we can help. 

Why Your Poly Tank Colour Is More Important Than You Might Think

So, you’ve decided to buy a water storage tank. Once you have chosen your tank size, type and location on your property, it’s time to choose the tank colour. It turns out, there is so much more to poly tank colours than just the aesthetics; although these are important. 

In fact, there’s plenty of science involved in poly tank colours. Tank owners can leverage this science to their advantage when it comes to their water storage. 

We want to help you make an informed, well-rounded decision when choosing your poly tank colour. So, we’ve put together this comprehensive list of considerations to help you choose the best poly tank colour for your property. We’ve broken it down – first diving into how poly tank colours work, then functional considerations and lastly the aesthetic considerations of poly tank colours. 

Read on if you want to make an informed decision when choosing your poly tank colour. 

How Do Poly Tank Colours Work?

Let’s first dive into how poly tank colours are made. 

What Poly Tank Colours Are Made Of

The colours that are used in poly water tanks come from either one pigment or a mixture of pigments. There are two main sources of colour pigments: chemicals created in a lab, or mined minerals. Each production method yields different pigments. The pigment can then be combined with uncoloured polyethylene which is then eventually utilised in rotational moulding.  

How The Colours Are Added 

The polyethylene, colours and additives are initially processed through an extruder. This creates a masterbatch or encapsulated colour. This colour is then added to a carrier resin. 

To create a colour compound, the masterbatch is again combined with the natural coloured polyethylene in an extruder. After, the mix is processed through a mill. This results in a coloured polyethylene powder, which is utilised in the roto-moulding process. 

When adding colours to polyethylene, they must be durable enough so they will not fade when exposed to the high temperatures that occur during the roto-moulding process.

The colours must adhere to the following requirements:  

  • Maintain colour at high roto-moulding temperatures.
  • Resistant to fade in harsh outdoor environments.
  • Must not bleed out onto the mould.
  • Food and water grade plastic where necessary. 
  • Contain no heavy metals.
  • Economical price.
  • Sustainable impact on the environment.

What Poly Tank Colours Are Available

Tanks made from polyethylene generally accommodate the widest range of colours. At Global Rotomoulding, we offer tanks in plenty of colours across the COLORBOND colour range. 

Regulations

Many paints may contain solvents and other materials that could leak into the water supply. Therefore colours used in tanks need to comply with government standards for the safe storage of water.  

Functional Considerations

Now we’ll dive into why you should care about your poly tank colour from a practical perspective.  

Algae Contamination

Algae thrive in sunlight. If a tank was painted with an inadequate amount of pigments, this can let in enough sunlight that facilitates algae growth. This can have troubling health concerns. Some forms of algae, like the toxic blue-green algae, are highly dangerous to humans and animals. 

This does not mean that light coloured tanks are a breeding ground for algae. When they are manufactured with an adequate wall thickness by an established manufacturer, algae is effectively prevented.   

It is important to note that algae could be present in a tank with adequate wall thickness if the water is sourced from areas already contaminated with algae. Or, it may occur if the lid of the tank has been left open, letting sunlight in. 

Water Temperature

The colour of the tank can affect the temperature of the stored water too. Pigments will absorb light from the sun and convert the energy into heat. Darker colours will lead to a hotter tank as the day progresses. The tank will also climb to higher temperatures when it is empty.  

Carbon black, which is a pigment used for black or grey tanks, will reach the highest temperature among all of the tank colours (unsurprisingly), reaching up to 63 degrees celsius. 

Other darker colours like phthalocyanine blue and phthalocyanine green can reach between 60-62 degrees celsius. 

Hence, a lighter water tank will store water at cooler temperatures. Generally, this is better for tank owners – especially those caring for livestock. Livestock are more likely to drink cooler water. When our livestock drinks more, they will consume more food, hence increasing their productivity.   

Cooler water may also be necessary across other industries, such as industrial sectors. Here, cooler water is especially pertinent for concrete mixing. It is also required when washing and processing food products. 

UV Protection

UV protection may be a requirement for some tank owners. A process known as photo-oxidation is the primary cause for faded water tanks. Therefore, opting for UV stabilised water tanks that utilise high quality, durable poly resins will help to prevent any damage caused by UV light. 

Choosing an established manufacturer that sells UV stabilised poly tanks is critical to ensure protection from sun exposure.   

Aesthetic Considerations

Once you have considered the functional requirements of your tank, it’s time to consider your aesthetic preferences.

Make It All Flow

If you don’t want your tank to stick out like a sore thumb, opt for a colour that will blend seamlessly with the environment it is placed in. For example, when placing a tank outside a neutral cream or beige coloured home, why not try Classic Cream or Paperbark for the rainwater tank? 

Make A Statement

Perhaps you want to make a statement with your colour choice? You could opt for complementary colours for your house and tank. Complementary colours sit opposite each other on the colour wheel. When together, they pop in a fun and bright way. Common combinations are red and green or orange and blue. We particularly love Mountain Blue, which compliments earthy reds and oranges.  

Pick Up On Accents

If you have accent colours on the eaves, doors or window sills of your home, perhaps choose the same colour for your tank. This gives a seamless finish, without looking too uniform. Rivergum is a common accent without being too bright.

An Aerial View

Alternatively, you may choose to match your tank to your roof. An exact match is easy with Global Tanks COLORBOND colour matched tank colours. 

This makes for a stunning aerial view for those living on a farm where helicopters and planes tend to pass. A common colour choice is coupling a Heritage Red COLORBOND roof with the matching tank.  

When it comes to choosing your poly tank colour, there are perhaps more considerations to make than you’d initially think. This can be overwhelming. But, as long as you’re addressing the functional and aesthetic requirements for your poly tank, you can rest assured you have made the right decision. At Global Tanks, we stock tanks for a diverse range of applications, including Domestic tanks (Slimline, Underground tanks), Rural tanks and tanks for commercial systems (fire services, chemical storage). Our tanks come in up to 30 beautiful, rich colours. Find out more about our range of tanks here, and be sure to contact us if you have any questions. 

Aussie Country Town Tour – A Country Man’s Guide Through Mildura

G’day everyone, Uncle Garry from Global Rotomoulding here. Welcome to my first post of Gazz’s Aussie Country Town Tour, where I’ll take you through some of my favourite rural towns and show you the best things to do there. 

This week I was sitting on my porch, looking out onto the pink skies at sunset. My mind started to wander, and I recalled a trip I took to the beautiful Mildura pink salt lakes some time ago (back when it was still pink). 

It’s hard to forget the red earth and mighty river of Mildura. This Victorian town revolves around the Murray River. There are always people fishing, boating and skiing on the water. 

Bursting with history and fresh agricultural produce, this vibrant town is a refreshing oasis surrounded by desert landscapes. There’s so much to see and do. Mildura is famous for its oranges, grapes and wines. It’s a perfect spot to stop for some fresh citrus-based foods and sip on fruity beverages.

It’s honestly one of the most colourful natural landscapes in the country and a fantastic holiday destination. So if you’re stopping for a day or a week, make sure you check out some of these fantastic places. 

Much To Do On The Murray River

Mildura is positioned beside Australia’s longest river. The Murray River is a huge attraction all-year-round. You can partake in or spectate things like the 100 Ski Race, the Malibu & Axis Boats Wakeboard State of Origins, or the Mildura 24-hour Mega Swim.

If you want a truly unique rural town visit, I recommend hiring a houseboat and spending a week cruising the river. It’s a great way to wind down and live in a way that few other towns can offer. 

If a day trip is more your style hop onboard one of three vintage paddle steamers and cruise your way on one of the available tours.

Places To Eat In Mildura 

Food makes the world go round, and Mildura knows how to cook up a good feed. Here is my go-to food tour. 

Breakfast 

If you want a simple, but trendy breakfast and some of the best coffee in the town, you’ve gotta stop by Nash Lane. They make mouth-watering breakfast and the staff are as polite as can be. Uncle Gaz’s fave is their Eggs Benedict. 

Lunch

Stop by The Wooden Door for lunch and enjoy some hearty Australian classics. They put a mean spin on the classic chicken parmy. 

The Brass Monkey makes a great feed too. It’s funky and brings street-food inspired dishes and city laneway culture to the rural town. 

Dinner 

I had a few great dinners on my Mildura trip, but when I stopped by Stefano’s I forgot about every other meal I had. Head Chef Stefano de Pieri’s food resembles art. Stefano uses fresh, in-season ingredients to prepare his simple but flavoursome dishes. Trust me on this one – wow. 

Farm Fresh Produce (And Wines) 

Mildura is famous for oranges! Even if you’ve never heard of the town before, you would have heard the name because of the Mildura Fruit Company, Australia’s largest fresh citrus exporter. It’s like Bundaberg and the rum! Swing by Orange World  and take a tour of 20-hectares of citrus farm. It will be the freshest orange you’ve ever bitten into.

Visit the region on the first or third Sunday of the month and access all the fresh produce the region has to offer in one easy spot. The Sunraysia Farmers Market brings rows and rows of stalls run by local farmers and producers. Set up along the main street, you’ll find everything you need here from fresh meat to pistachios, fruits, asparagus, Murray River salt and more.

If you love wine, the Mildura region is ripe (pun intended) with grape vineyards and local wineries. My recommendations are the Trentham Estate if you don’t mind a drive to the Trentham Hills. Alternatively, the Sunraysia Cellar Door is easily accessible along the main street of Mildura. Here, you can sample wines from dozens of local producers that operate along the Murray River.

Rich History 

Rev heads, you have to check out the Mildura Holden Museum. A collection of 28-35 Holden vehicles which date from the first model made to the recent additions. The whole museum is the effort of Mr Ron Morello’s passion for the car brand. It’s a pit stop I’ve made several times to ogle at the original 1948 FX Holden sedan.

If you love the Holden Museum, you’ll be interested to see the massive prime mover, Big Lizzie, which paved the way for settlement in the Red Cliffs. She now proudly stands in Barclay Square Red Cliffs. You can find history at every turn in Mildura; you just need to look. 

Explore The Most Colourful Desert Landscapes

The Victorian town is an explorer’s dream. To the south-west is the famous Pink Lakes in the Murray Sunset National Parks. The unusual coloured water source has a pink hue. While it has lost most of its vibrancy in the past decade, it’s still a massively popular stop. 

Mildura is surrounded by vast deserts and rockscapes. Just 30 minutes drive from the town will take you to the Perry Sand Hills where you can admire the looming dunes and maybe spot an emu or two. On the edge of town is the Australian Inland Botanic Garden which is a pleasant splash of colour and greenery. Just 16km south is the Red Cliffs, a town named fittingly after the mighty red rocks surrounding it. 

Alright, that’s it for Mildura, and I’ve only just scratched the surface. I’d love to hear about your favourite parts of Mildura, so be sure to leave a comment on our Facebook. Working for Global Rotomoulding has allowed me to travel across the country. I’ve made plenty of stops in plenty of towns. Where should I write about next?

Have Peace of Mind with Our Quality Management System

When you buy a water tank you want to be sure that it is the best quality possible. That’s why at Global Rotomoulding we’ve implemented an in-depth testing and management system which has given our thousands of customers peace of mind. 

We promise the best quality service in the market for Water Tanks and all other rotomoulded products – from manufacturing to delivery. When you buy with us, you subscribe to durable poly products plus superb communication and delivery.

Our Process 

Your water tank and your specification are linked with your sales order, manufacturing, and the delivery of your tank. 

We use a unique serial number for every tank we create, so if you have any inquiries or issues down the line, we can find the exact information about your water tank. This enables us to perform custom quality checks on all our products. 

To ensure the highest quality product possible, all our production and quality control is paperless within a web app. Don’t worry about storing receipts because we will keep reference of your purchase in our files permanently.  

Global believes in honouring quality control at every step in the process:

  1. Clients are asked the correct questions to make sure they get the exact item they need. 
  2. High-quality components and plastic that meet strict batch checks by our suppliers are sourced. 
  3. Moulds are quality checked before the product is loaded. 
  4. The Global team performs several checks to ensure all components, plastics and special instructions are followed before loading it. 
  5. Unloaded products go through a first-pass QA check to ensure they meet the quality standard. 
  6. Once a product is finished we complete a custom QA check. This check is Global’s custom list that ensures each product meets our specific requirements. Examples may include:
    • Visual inspections of defined key areas.
    • Leak testing.
    • Ultrasonic thickness testing.
    • Drop testing.
  7. Custom-built trucks used to safely transport and deliver tanks to customers. 
  8. Serial numbers allow traceability of manufacturing processes and any warranty issues. 

At Global Tanks, our committed team is always ready to challenge conventional practices and find new, innovative ways to master our trade. We’ve helped land-owners across Australia get quality agricultural equipment without any stress on them. If you want a durable, and long-lasting poly water tank, get in touch with us today! We have a range of premade products, or alternatively, we can customise a tank to better suit your needs. 

How Global Helps Customers Fertigate Efficiently on the Farm

Are you looking to achieve more with less on your farm? A fertigation system may be something that can help massively improve crop productivity and significantly lower the chemicals you need to achieve those results. 

Fertigation is the combination of irrigation and fertilisation, but it’s capabilities are much more beneficial than just multitasking. Fertigation allows farmers to increase nitrogen efficiency and in turn, apply less fertiliser while getting better growth results. 

Global Rotomoulding has been called to assist in several fertigation systems with our custom Polyethylene parts and tanks that are cheaper to produce than metal or rubber parts and unreactive to the chemicals you will be using. 

Fertigation – The Basics 

Fertigation supplies crops with dissolved fertiliser through an irrigation system. It takes a fair amount of research and preparation. Still, this technique allows farmers to customise and alter nutrient and water levels to obtain the crop’s maximum production yield.

Broadcasting fertiliser onto the surface comes with many variables. Things like rainfall or heat can influence how much of the fertiliser gets absorbed into the soil. This method leaves a considerable amount of fertiliser on the soil surface that never makes it into the root zone. This means the nutrients are inaccessible for the crop and doesn’t promote growth at all. 

Fertigation has proven to be a more effective and consistent application method and takes less time and man-power once a system is installed. But the initial cost, need for a quality irrigation system and labour cost to mix and measure solutions is the main deterrent for farmers. 

Broadcasting fertiliser onto the surface is the most common means of application. The Australian Bureau Of Statistics showed that nine Australian Agricultural Environments broadcasted fertiliser, while drilling below the surface was the most common method in eight. Only agricultural businesses in the Arid region category used the fertigation method as the primary fertiliser application.

Regular applications of soluble nutrients is a proven way to dismiss the main issues tied to surface broadcast fertilisation. Fertigation places nutrients around the plant roots and allows for rapid intake. It also saves labour time, application time and lowers field compaction. 

To capitalise on these benefits, extra care should be taken when selecting fertilisers and injection equipment as well as in the management and maintenance of the system.

How It Works 

A dissolvable fertiliser solution is mixed into a suitable container and combined into an irrigation system. 

Popular Irrigation Systems With Fertigation: 

  • Sprinkler system – Applies solution evenly across plant and soil. 
  • Drip irrigation – Precisely targets roots and stem area of plants. More efficient for fertilisation, but does not provide water to leaves. Can be subsurface or above ground. 
  • Surface Irrigation – Most popular irrigation system used by farmers worldwide. Less even distribution of nutrients compared to the other two.

Once an irrigation system is found, the fertiliser is applied by different methods. 

The following are generally used: 

  • Continuous application – Fertiliser is applied at a constant rate from beginning to end. 
  • Three-stage – Irrigation without fertiliser starts. The fertiliser is injected once the ground is wet. Irrigation process ends without fertiliser solution. 
  • Proportional – Injection rate is proportional to water discharge (1ltr of solution per 1000ltrs). 
  • Quantitative – Solution is calculated depending on the size and demand of each irrigation block. (20ltrs to Block-A, 50ltrs to Block-B)

What You Need To Know 

Fertigation is a great farm practice that will ensure plants optimal crop nutrition and boost the crop yield while minimising environmental pollution. But you must understand the requirements of your crop and land before taking on the project.

Make sure you: 

Consult the experts for the right equipment.

Global Can Help 

Fertigation receives a great deal of interest because of the potential to save water and nutrients, while at the same time increasing agricultural productivity. Global has partnered with plenty of farmers and Agri experts in their efforts to conduct efficient fertigation. 

Your system will need a range of chemical supply tanks and pressure differential tanks to inject your fertiliser solution into your irrigation systems. According to the NSW Department of Primary Industries, your fertigation system will consist of

  • “One or more tanks to dissolve dry fertiliser into water or store pre-made liquid fertiliser mixes.”  
  • “A means of injecting the dissolved fertiliser into the irrigation line.” 

How you choose to inject fertiliser into your irrigation line heavily depends on the variables of your farm. But the tanks can be a simple fix once you figure out how much solution you need. 

We have a range of tanks suitable for fertigation mixing and can create custom Polyethylene parts to fit your needs perfectly. Building an irrigation system is different for each farm, so if you need bespoke fittings on your tanks, our expert team can help from design to construction. 

Global Rotomoulding is proud to supply Australian farmers with rainwater tanks, fertigation tanks and spray tanks. We work with over 30 OEM’s making critical components to supply the agricultural industry. 

Best Images of Rural Australia 2020

The new year has come, and most Aussies can agree that it was great to wave off 2020. Wildfires, a global pandemic, drought and plenty of other struggles. It wasn’t an easy year, but here we are at the other end. 

Despite all the struggles, there was beauty in 2020. 

It’s a mantra that every rural worker knows; with the bad comes good. So while we look forward to what 2021 brings, let’s look back at the year that was and see some photos that encapsulate what it means to live in rural Australia. 

Mansfield, Victoria – Angus Cattle at Golden Hour

The rules that came with COVID-19 were tough on every industry, but this rural photographer was proud of her fellow Victorians for obeying the rules and coming down from one of Australia’s highest spikes. 

Booligal, New South Wales – Massive Duststorm In NSW

Life on the planes brings about some “epic scenes” like this massive dust storm captured by farmer Jessie Palmer. 

Mansfield, Victoria – Spring Snowfall 

Seems like a different country, but no, this winter wonderland is located in the small town at the foothills of the Victorian Alps. 

Oberson, New South Wales – Thick Snow in NSW

This frosty pic among rows of pine looks like it could be from an arctic adventure. Photographer Dan Farr captured a truly mystical moment that inspires exploration.

Lambs Valley, New South Wales – Country Road 

A stunning photo of the rolling hills along the Hunter Valley. Everything about this photo perfectly highlights the sights of rural life. 

Port Lincoln, South Australia – Balancing Kids

These two baby goats are showing their balancing skills by standing on this rock which is only two inches at its peak. 

Barney View, Queensland – Sunrise Over A Pasture 

The cattle are all looking at the photographer like they’re posing for this photo. Amazing shot. 

Perenjori, Western Australia – Tractor Stirring Up Dust 

Photographer Ellie Morris did a fantastic job of capturing the beauty and ruggedness of rural Australia. The dust being stirred up by this tractor made for some beautiful pictures. 

Riverina, New South Wales – Fun In The Mud 

Growing up rural means you’re used to mud. These kids get that. 

Broad Leaf Santa Gertrudis, Queensland – Dogs At Work 

Working with cattle isn’t easy. Photographer Trina Patterson captured the powerful confrontation between this cow and two working dogs. 

Harden, New South Wales – Rural Gallery 

Photographer Rachael Lenehan’s work captures every aspect of rural life. A fantastic gallery filled with emotion. 

Alexandra, Victoria – Rodeo In Action 

Being ring-side at a rodeo is an exhilarating experience, as this photographer found out. She captured this powerful trestle between bronco and man seconds before the horse crashed into the barriers. 

The Grampians, New South Wales – Harvester Convoy 

A fantastic image of four tractors harvesting crop. 

Kununurra, Western Australia – Long Exposure In Lighting Storm 

This rural photographer got lucky during a lightning storm when the rain stopped long enough for him to get this long exposure shot. The result is breathtaking. 

Kensington Grove, Queensland – Inner Milky Way 

A stunning shot of the Milky Way Galaxy from a rural pasture. Read the description for a better explanation of how this fantastic shot came to be. We couldn’t do it justice. 

Broome, Western Australia – Blue Waters, Red Earth 

The contrast between the water and sand in this aerial shot is something you could only find in Australia. The beautiful earth tones made for a truly great photo. 

Cootamundra, New South Wales – Lamb And Its Herd 

A simple yet fantastic shot of a lamb in front of its herd during the golden hour. 

Bridgewater, Victoria – Work Dog On Lookout

Dogs and farms go together like salt and pepper. This pup looks very proud in this field.

Victorian High Country, Victoria – Bushfire Smoke

It’s hard to believe that this tranquil picture was taken during the Victorian wildfires which ravaged the country early last year. What seems to be fog in the photo is actually smoke captured in the early morning. 

Kangaroo Island, South Australia – The Grip Of Survival

The emotional moment of a koala gripping onto a singed tree during the dreadful fires which ripped through Kangaroo Island in January 2020. 

Murringo, New South Wales – Lone Angus Cattle 

You can feel the brisk air in this photo just from the crisp dew on the grass and the vapour gathering on the cow’s breath. It’s easy to imagine the feeling of the winter air after seeing this shot. 

Penola, New South Wales – Grazing Cattle

A simple, yet fantastic shot of this cattle’s snout as it munches on some grass. 

Tamborine, Queensland – Windmill Infront of a Red Sky

Gorgeous colours of a sunrise, mixed with fog on a country property. Reminds us why we love the rural way of life. 

Longreach Queensland – Lighting Strom Over Rural Area 

Ominous storm clouds bringing much-needed rain to a regional Queensland town.

Our Global Rotomoulding team love rural photography, and our delivery drivers aren’t too shabby at it themselves. We always stop to take some great shots on our journeys to deliver a range of agricultural equipment across Australia. We can set you up with everything you need; from water tanks to vehicle-mounted containers to troughs and feeders plus much more. Get in contact today to find the perfect item for your property.

Growing Demand for Organics: Farm to Table Christmas Recipes

Australians are hungry for organically grown produce. In fact, two-thirds of Australian households reported they had purchased organic products in 2018. This grew the domestic consumer market of organic produce domestic to a value of $2 billion AUD by 2018. 

These findings are unsurprising. Australian consumers are becoming more and more health-conscious. Many consumers of organic products are concerned about the potential effects of pesticides, insecticides, growth hormones or antibiotics on their body. Considering humans have been on the planets for about 150,000 years, and have only started using chemicals to grow food about 70 years ago, the growing shift towards organic produce is not surprising. 

Hence, consumers are increasingly supporting local farmers that are committed to growing organic produce. This has seen an increase in popularity for recipes that incorporate whole foods. In celebration of organic farm to table food, read on for our favourite farm to table Christmas recipes.

Nibbles and Snacks: Go For Grazing Boards

For Christmas food that both looks and tastes delicious, look no further than a classic grazing board. Grazing board experts know that putting together a good grazing board requires exceptional produce. From your local markets or organic shop, choose a wide range of produce for your grazing board. For vegetables, try carrot, celery or pickled cucumbers. For fruit, include watermelon, kiwi fruit, figs, grapes, berries or anything you fancy. Add in a variety of nuts, bread and wholegrain biscuits for a Christmas graze you won’t forget. 

Salads 

Packing a diverse range of colourful vegetables into your salads promotes maximum flavour and maximum nutritional value. Here are a few vegetable and flavour packed summer salad recipes perfect for Christmas. 

Bakes

Despite our warm climate, many Aussies tend to cook up bakes on Christmas day. They’re delicious – of course – but including various farm to table ingredients is the key to a tasty bake. Check out these delicious recipes for your Christmas lunch. 

Meat Dishes: Homemade Christmas Sauces & Marinades 

For some households, meat is the centrepiece for the Christmas table. Consumers that enjoy organic farm to table produce may also pair their antibiotic and hormone free meat with flavourful sauces or marinades. Check out these recipes for popular Christmas sauces: 

Desserts 

Australian Christmas desserts naturally have plenty of different fruits, and can even include vegetables. Here are some delicious Christmas dessert recipes. 

Supporting local farmers has always been a big part of Global Rotomoulding. There are so many organic recipes you can try this Christmas that pack in plenty of farm-fresh produce. Not only does including a wide range of fruits and vegetables across all your Christmas dishes pack flavour and nutrients, it makes for a gorgeous looking Christmas table! 

If you’re a farmer, Global Rotomoulding has a wide range of agricultural products that can support your livestock. To find out more, be sure to contact us. In the meantime, check out our round up of 5 Creative Christmas Gifts for Farmers.