7 minute read
A new crop of chinos at M.J. Bale
SECTION 13 Beyond the farm gate This section brought to you in association with
M.J. Bale flagship stores now stock men’s chinos exclusively made from cotton grown by Australian farmers.
The McQueen chinos of the Australianowned ‘gentleman’s clothier’ have been carefully created using Australian cotton grown in north-west New South Wales and southern Queensland, traced back to these areas through the industry’s system that can track bales from the farm to the spinning mill.
Sixth-generation farmer Andrew Watson from Boggabri, is one of the suppliers of cotton to M.J. Bale’s new range.
Andrew says his property ‘Kilmarnock’ combines traditional farming with progressive environmental practices based on the industry’s myBMP (Best Management Practices) program.
“By using a combination of research, technology and the farm’s natural ecosystem, we are able to produce some of the best quality fibre in the world,” Andrew says.
“We have only used insecticides once in the past 12 years and that’s something we’re really proud of. It’s not easy, there is all sorts of pressure to manage the limited resources we have, including drought and financials, but I think we’ve achieved a good balance,” Andrew says.
“Our big focus the past few years has been planting tree lines between the river and the cotton crops to create a natural eco-corridor. We are now seeing so many bats, birds and ladybeetles, the populations are growing yearby-year!” Andrew says.
M.J. Bale Founder and CEO, Matt Jensen met with Andrew at his property.
“We pride ourselves on tailoring expertise with natural fibres, like Australian cotton and merino wool,” Matt says.
“Andrew and his family are committed to the sustainable use of water and other resources, and they are incredibly passionate about the environment and natural eco-systems on their property,” Matt says.
Cotton Australia Supply Chain Consultant Brooke Summers says the cotton industry is committed to partnerships with iconic brands and retailers to include Australian cotton in their product mix and marketing efforts.
“Brands are increasingly concerned about sourcing raw materials grown with the highest environmental and social standards, and many are including Australian cotton in sustainable sourcing strategies,” Brooke says.
“The partnership with M.J. Bale sends a really positive message to Andrew and all our farmers that the product they’ve worked so hard to grow is in high demand, especially at a time when they’re doing it really tough in the drought,” Brooke says.
For more information on M.J. Bale’s new crop of chinos, watch this video: https://vimeo.com/363985949
What if surviving a drought began with a microbe?
What if, instead of planting your usual crop, you used seed coated in microbes? What if those microbes were taken from plants that had survived a drought? What if that led your farm to survive a drought too? Now what if, together, we questioned the entire agriculture system? Learn how at indigoag.com/en-au/
CROPPING SMARTER IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
Storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in agricultural soils presents the most scalable, immediate and affordable action to address a changing climate. This scientific theory is one of the key drivers behind international innovator Indigo Ag, an organization harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet, and the concept is quickly gaining momentum across Australia.
The agriculture industry has traditionally been viewed as a key producer of greenhouse gas emissions, but growers, as some of the most heavily impacted by the effects of changing global weather patterns, are well-poised to be leaders in the effort to help mitigate and address climate change.
Bill Dwyer, Commercial Head of Indigo Ag Australia, says the company is leading the way toward a more sustainable food and fibre production model that, by incentivising the adoption of regenerative farming practices, can simultaneously bolster growers’ on-farm profits.
“The philosophy behind regenerative farming practices is based upon the scientific fact that trees, native grasses and agricultural plants, including cotton, capture carbon from the atmosphere and recycle this key nutrient back into the soil,” Mr. Dwyer says. “Through photosynthesis, agricultural plants have the ability to economically pull more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere than any other existing carbon-capture technology.”
By promoting a holistic approach to agriculture, regenerative farming practices replenish soils, increase biodiversity and facilitate the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. These alternate farming methods, such as no-till farming, set crop rotations, and cover cropping, replenish organic soil carbon content, thereby increasing beneficial microbial activity, water infiltration rates, soil available nutrients, biodiversity, and soil available water.
Growers’ ability to sequester carbon and the potential for farmers to profit off this public service represents a huge opportunity for the agricultural industry, Mr. Dwyer says, pointing to The Terraton Initiative, a new project launched in the US which aims to accelerate the removal of one trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as a key example. The Terraton Initiative is comprised of a number of elements, with Indigo Carbon representing the greatest financial opportunity for growers. A new carbon market, Indigo Carbon pays United States growers up to $15USD per tonne of carbon sequestered. Indigo will engage its digital agronomy capabilities and satellite imagery analysis to measure and verify soil carbon sequestration and on-farm emission levels, to reward farmers accordingly. Over 11 million acres have been submitted to the program since its launch in June.
Broader businesses looking to offset and even reverse their carbon footprints will also benefit from the program.
“By purchasing carbon credits in the Indigo Carbon marketplace, businesses and individuals looking to offer or purchase products that are climate positive can help promote new agricultural practices.”
Consumer-led demand for traceability of produce and ingredients adds further weight to the agricultural sustainability conversation. Already Indigo Ag has forged a number of meaningful partnerships along the whole supply chain as corporate suppliers look to provide more sustainably grown produce.
“Suppliers know that to meet the market, they must give consumers full confidence in the quality and integrity of their food choices, and by enabling traceability, Indigo is helping provide this reassurance.”
As part of its most recent partnership in the USA, Indigo-contracted growers who produce rice for Anheuser-Busch, the country’s leading brewer, have significantly reduced water and nitrogen use across the growing season.
(ADVERTORIAL) Compared to USA benchmarks, the grower cohort achieved “Farmers will have an opportunity, despite heat or water stress, 10 per cent less water and nitrogen usage, plus a 10 per cent to maintain and even increase production levels whilst avoiding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, Dwyer explains, due the need to increase precious inputs such as water.” to the implementation of Indigo’s suite of innovative tools and technologies. “Indigo’s microbial seed treatments are an innovation perfectly “Leveraging naturally occurring beneficial microbes called larly for our more marginal regions during tough seasons.” endophytes, Indigo has developed a seed inoculant, currently available across a range of crops such as cotton, sorghum, barAnd farmers on the ground are driving this innovation. ley, wheat, rice, corn, and soybeans.” “The market demands sustainability, and by leveraging naturally Indigo Research Partners (IRP), an entirely new approach to agrioccurring, in-crop microbes selected to improve plant tolerance cultural research and development. to high stress conditions, farmers will essentially be able to do more, with less,” says Mr. Dwyer. Consumers can rest assured “We believe the best lab for testing innovative agricultural that the crops grown – and ultimately ingredients produced - techniques is the farm itself,” Mr. Dwyer explained. “Through using this technology have been done so with maximum water collaborations with farmers around the globe, we are building use efficiency. the world’s largest agricultural lab with the goal of accelerating “By applying science and technology in new ways and by collabmental sustainability, and reduce risks for farmers.” orating with leaders across the supply chain, we can conserve resources, improve farmland for future generations, and produce A number of Australian growers have already partnered with healthier final products.” Indigo, and Bill encourages others to reach out. New farmers are As growers look for smarter ways to farm, Dwyer believes strategies such as The Terraton Initiative can potentially offer a “Every season is a gamble, but with Indigo’s proven results, significant and sustainable new revenue stream. farmers can greatly reduce the risk of low yields due to drought “Indigo Ag’s multi-pronged approach to carbon sequestration says. not only directly benefits the grower financially by minimizing input costs, but sustainably grown produce will also demand a “Indigo is committed to ensure the long-term sustainability of premium,” Bill believes. our agricultural industry, our farmers, and our environment. It Indigo’s microbial treatment also boosts crop resilience to Australia’s harsh climate, mitigating some of the risk surrounding farming in this country. suited to Australian conditions. It’s a real game changer, particuTo ensure the success of its products, the company has created innovations and products that increase yields, improve environalways welcome to come onboard. or heat stress and benefit their back pocket directly,” Mr. Dwyer certainly is an exciting space to be in right now.”
