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First International Symposium on Pyrethrum |
BRA has been chosen as one of three National Finalists for the 2011 Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award. |
BRA wins 2011 Engineers Australia (Tasmania Division) Engineering Excellence Award |
Pellet Line 2 receives 2010 National Communications and Electrical Association Award. |
BRA is successful in 2010 Work Cover Safety Award. |
Ballarat Expansion
Two hundred and forty kilometres of stormy seas separate Tasmania from the nearest part of the Australian mainland, Victoria, but this has been no barrier to the expansion of pyrethrum. With much of Tasmania’s pyrethrum growing area at full capacity, BRA has been investigating growing pyrethrum in other parts of Australia.
The fertile krasnozem soils in the farming area around the Victorian town of Ballarat have proved to be perfect pyrethrum habitat. Growing trials were first conducted in the Ballarat area in 2002/2003. The trials were successful, but the growth of the pyrethrum industry at that time did not warrant new plantings on the Australian mainland. Eight years later, with world demand for pyrethrum increasing and BRA becoming the world’s largest supplier, Victoria is set to become pyrethrum-growing country.
In 2008, BRA held grower meetings in Ballarat, where we canvassed Victorian growers. BRA brought twelve growers down to Tasmania in December to meet local growers, see the Ulverstone plant, and learn more about pyrethrum.
During 2009, BRA planted in excess of 300 hectares under difficult conditions, and during 2010, we expanded our plantings by a further 275 hectares. As a show of our confidence in the potential for this region to be a standalone production area, during 2010 we have installed a first stage post harvest processing facilities. Our enthusiasm for this expansion is mirrored by local farmers who have shown very strong support for the development of a pyrethrum production area in the region. “The area around Ballarat is a major potato growing region, and we are hoping that pyrethrum will fit into the crop rotations there as it has fitted into rotations in Tasmania,” says Tim Groom, BRA Manager Agricultural Businesses.
The Ballarat operation will be the first time Australian pyrethrum growing has ventured commercially across Bass Strait and outside Tasmania – a milestone both for BRA and the global pyrethrum industry.
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