Horticulture
The horticulture industry in Queensland
Horticulture is Queensland’s second largest primary industry, worth more than $3 billion per year and employing about 25,000 people. Queensland’s 3,500 horticultural farms produce more than 120 types of fruit, nut and vegetables and are located from Stanthorpe in the south to the Atherton Tablelands in the far north.
The state peak body for horticulture in Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG).
QFVG has established the hort360 Best Management Practice Program which includes an energy module to assist growers to manage their energy consumption through best management practice in irrigation, machinery, packing sheds and cold rooms, workshop and office areas and lighting.
Top energy efficiencies for the horticulture industry.
Pumping and irrigation upgrades - Savings from Variable Speed Drive installation, pump replacements and maintenance.
Changes to irrigation design and automation.
Heating Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) - Condensor motor, VSD, ventilation fans and heating upgrades.
Lighting and general - Replacement and retrofitting of lights with LEDs, infrastructure and general changes.
Solar and batteries - Grid connected and standalone.
Gas - Hot water, insulation and general heating.
Solar systems - Ranging in size from 5-100kW systems.
Explore horticulture case studies
Southern Downs
Savina Lane Wines
Energy Savings 231% Cost Savings $2,050
Southern Downs
Sweet Strawberry Farm
Energy Savings 2% Cost Savings $3,448
Explore horticulture related resources
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Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit
The Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit to assist and inform landholders as they respond to and negotiate with energy industry representatives about accessing land and developing renewable energy projects.
Financing your energy projects
Once you’ve identified energy savings or renewable energy opportunities for your farm, the next challenge is to find the funds or finance to make it happen.
There are a number of options to either reduce up-front costs or reduce the borrowing costs for the project. These can include new efficient pumps, motors, compressors, vehicles, lights, renewable energy systems and many other products.
Savings on fuel costs
There are many ways you can reduce farm fuel costs, and many are quick wins, which mean they won’t cost anything to start with, and will save fuel immediately.