Australian Agricultural Technologies, who met with growers in Forbes as part of their research into a potential location for their processing plant, is close to announcing the site for the first facility.

CEO Daryl Young said more than 60 per cent of the grower commitment following those meetings was in the Riverina and the first plant will be there.  

They do hope to build a second plant closer to this area in the next few years.

“This facility is the first of three planned processing facilities in the broader eastern belt grain growing region, we expect to roll out the next two plants over a five-year period,” Mr Young said.

“We have been in and will continue to be in regular communication to ensure that the hard work and momentum achieved thus far is maintained with a second plant planned for the central west in the next two to three years.” 

He thanked those who organised the local forum for their support. 

“We believe that this is a collaborative project, adding diversification to regional economies and offering exciting and practical cropping alternative to growers,” Mr Young said. 

“In particular we would like to make a special thank you to Councillor Graham Falconer (Landmark), Councillor Brian Mattiske, Mayor, Ron Penny, Jim Cronin, Earth Ag, Greg Rout, Greg Rout, Matthew Burkitt, Guy Webb, Luke Wood, Katrina Watson, Agriwest Rural for their invaluable support.”

He went on to explain the competitive advantage of growing the AAT “Muscon”.

“It is grown with the same approach and gross inputs as canola but has a broader sowing window and higher tolerance in more marginal, drier country,” he said. 

“This provides greater flexibility for growers. AAT will also go to contract on a fixed price that is 15 per ecnt above the spot price on Canola at the point in which growers opt to lock in from sowing through to prior to delivery. 

“This provides certainty for growers around returns to manage their downside.”