Beet venture takes root

An integral member of the independent group Lockyer Farmers United, Mr Lerch said he began speaking with other vegetable farmers about two years ago, after Golden Circle was bought by Heinz and the company decided to send its beetroot operations to New Zealand, leaving many farmers in the Lockyer stranded.

"The group was formed as a way to ensure our future and to control the outcome of our production," Mr Lerch said.

"We've now designed a factory and we're in talks with Coles and Woolworths, who are both very supportive. It looks like it's all coming together for us."

Lockyer Farmers United is a tight-knit group and is taking the opportunity to process locally very seriously, with financial figures, an international feasibility study and a business case mapped out for potential investors.

Mr Lerch said the Lockyer Valley Regional Council had been very supportive of the project and had helped Lockyer Farmers United source land in a designated industrial estate.

"The council has been tremendous and the site is perfect for the build - close to gas lines and the highway.

"The design of the factory is very modern and will use a cogeneration power model. The gas will be used to run the engines with the heat being taken off them to make steam for electricity."

Streamlining the factory by using environmentally friendly energy and reducing freight costs by making cans in-house, Lockyer Farmers United are hoping to design and run one of the most efficient processing facilities in the country.

"We want this to work for the farmers - that's what I've been aiming for all along.

"It's all right to build something but it's got to work for the producers as well.

"To make that happen, you have to look at the system and recognise what's gone wrong in the past and what's been detrimental and how to fix it."

Mr Lerch said the group would focus on storage for harvest and allowing for a continual flow of produce when the season is over.

"We need to be able to harvest when the beetroot are at their prime and when it's nice and dry to harvest so we can wait a few days instead of supplying the factory all the time. Practical things like this will make life a lot easier."

The factory will initially employ about 50 people on one shift, including auxiliary staff, with that number to increase by 20 if an extra shift is allocated.

Mr Lerch said the construction of the factory would be a boon for the local industry.

"It will mean we can go back to concentrating on one crop. We have the volume and capacity to produce it on your farm and you don't have to be doing all these other crops all the time and worrying about other contracts. It will certainly take some of the pressure off."

Mr Lerch's father first began growing beetroot on the property in the late 1950s, with Peter following the tradition.

"We are currently producing lucerne and barley hay and grain sorghum but beetroot is our main crop and I grew up with it.

"You see the improvements over the years and how it's progressed. It's interesting to see, being a farmer. You're always looking for ways to improve."

Encouraged by interest from retailers, Lockyer Farmers United is looking to lodge a development application with the council and, once approved, have the factory up and running within two years.

"It's great to see retailers interested in Australian grown and it seems the tide is turning and local producers are finally getting the attention they deserve. From early indication, other countries are interested in our products - but we'll walk before we run and it's always good to have goals to aspire to."

Once built, the factory will seek local harvests of beetroot, sweet corn and green beans, with the potential to incorporate potatoes and carrots.