FARMERS struggling to keep on top of pests and weeds will have access to a wider range of chemicals following a $1.78 million federal government investment.
The third round of the Agvet Chemicals Grants Program will deliver 26 grants to address a range of priority uses.
These include Amistar to manage leaf blight in sweet corn, Targo to manage mites in cocoa crops, Sero-X to manage mirids in lucerne crops, and Vivado to manage cobwebs in mushrooms.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said farmers needed the tools to stay ahead of the game.
“It is important that we continue to provide our farmers with access to the safe and reliable chemicals they need to feed and clothe Australia,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Sometimes the cost involved in bringing an agvet chemical to market is uncommercial. This can mean Australian farmers may not get access to all the chemicals farmers have overseas.
“That’s where these merit-based grants come in.
The previous two rounds of the program awarded 100 grants to RDC applicants totalling $4.11m.
“This includes an effective treatment of annual rye grass in chickpeas, lupins and peas, a fungicide to prevent root rot in tomatoes and a growth regulator for use in our mango industry,” Mr Littleproud said.
