Irrigation water price rise stresses dairy farmers

Farmers say that makes coastal milk production more difficult than inland on the Murray River, where irrigation water costs are seven times cheaper for farmers, because there are more producers to share the admin costs.

Bega dairy farmer Steve Guthrey says a 10 per cent water price rise is just the start of rising costs.

"There is going to be an increase in electricity charges of 30 per cent, so that is quite a big impost and it all adds to the costs," he says.

"We haven't used as much electricity this year because we haven't been able to irrigate, so next year we will see the true cost of water and electricity (for) irrigation."

7th July 2010 | ABC Rural
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201007/s2946887.htm