Energy use presents both challenges and opportunities for Australian growers. Grain farms rely heavily on diesel as a primary fuel source, representing a major cost and source of emissions to growers. Diesel powers heavy machinery used on-farm and for freight movement, being critical for production, the supply of crop inputs and distribution of grain to market. In addition to cost and emissions, the fuel supply chain in Australia is vulnerable due to a high dependence on imports and a relatively low supply on hand. Opportunities exist to drive efficiency of use, develop disruptive technologies or potentially substitute through use of alternative, cost-effective, lower emissions energy sources generated on or off-farm. At the same time an emerging domestic market for low carbon liquid fuels provides opportunity for growers to profitably and sustainably supply crop-based feedstocks to underpin biofuel production. What if existing fuels were utilised more efficiently or greener, cost-effective energy sources could be generated and used on-farm? What if the next oil boom was on the farm not under it and Australian grain feedstocks powered farms and local communities?
This content is created by the open source Your Priorities citizen engagement platform designed by the non profit Citizens Foundation