With drumMUSTER celebrating 10 years of operation, farmers are being reminded of the importance disposing of their chemical vessels responsibly. Farmers are great recyclers and empty chemical drums are tempting to reuse for an array of other functional purposes. However for health and environmental reasons recycling chemical drums on-farm is not recommended and farmers have a health and environmental responsibility to dispose of their chemical containers properly. Since February 1, 1999 farmers have paid four cents per litre per kilogram levy on non-returnable greater than one litre per kilogram in order to fund the program. The levy funds local government to pay staff to inspect returned containers, processing the containers and for publicising local collection sites and times.

Agricultural surveys

Grain Growers Association (GGA) members are being encouraged to complete the National Agricultural Survey (NAS) which they can now access for the first time following the recent merger of the Kondinin Group with GGA. Members who complete the NAS will also be providing GGA with information on the current business operations of grain growers, allowing GGA’s investments in products and services to industry to be more tailored. At the same time, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is conducting a survey, with sheep and lamb producers asked to provide data on the current status and future direction of the Australian flock in the MLA sheep and lamb producer survey. The survey is designed to obtain more comprehensive feedback from lamb and wool producers to determine the composition of the national flock and more importantly the industry’s lamb and sheep supply capabilities and the composition of the ewe flock.

Water accounts online

NSW irrigators can now manage their accounts online via State Water’s new internet water accounting system (iWAS). More than 6000 State Water customers can access their account details and information online, thereby eliminating the cost and inconvenience previously associated with mailed water statements. State Water CEO George Warne said the online accessibility is a feature in which irrigators have shown huge interest. The system is more convenient and eliminates the cost and time involved in contacting State Water to access information on how much water is in one’s account, water orders and usage and temporary trades.