Australia: Times are tough but good seeds a must for Alice Springs lettuce farm

Producer Mo McKosker says local demand for lettuce is down and adding to woes his input costs are rising. He says the drop-off in orders is a result of lack of investment in Alice Springs and diminishing tourist numbers. "There has been no real development in Alice Springs for the last 10 or 12 years and tourism is down," he said.

"We've had a number of hotels, restaurants and clubs close over the years and it all takes its toll." Making matters worse, Mr McKosker's input costs are rising.

"Water and electricity costs are one issue and the other is freight," he said. "All of those input costs are there and we are not getting any more for our product than we were five or six years ago." Despite Mr McKosker's current conundrum there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

He says growing hydroponically does have some advantages. "It's mainly to do with the growing speed," he said. "At this time of year [November] we have only got our product in the troughs - from transplant to seedling - for three weeks.

"In winter that will stretch out to six weeks. "Generally it's probably a cleaner product and not so labour intensive." Mr McKosker also says that hydroponic growing saves a lot of water. "The [irrigation] system we use is all recirculating," he said."Even though our transpiration rate is higher, it's quicker, easier [and produces] a cleaner product."

Recent Top End biosecurity scares are also a concern for the lettuce and herb operation. Mo McKosker says it makes the cost of a tried and true seed well worth it. "The seeds I buy are produced in Australia and then sent overseas to check for disease," he said.

Source: www.abc.net.au