RIC Drought Loans- APPLY NOW
FROM THE DROUGHT TO RECOVERY WITH
'SKYSPRING HARVEST'
ATOMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATORS
DRAWING WATER DOWN FROM THE ATMOSPHERE - FRESH AIR!
Proven and trusted in 75 countries worldwide — including defence operations — this technology has delivered outstanding results globally.
Now, Australia is finally catching on.
ASK US HOW TO BUY A MACHINE
APPLY FOR A DROUGHT LOAN NOW
NIMBUS 500 MACHINE - 500 LITERS OF FRESH WATER GENERATED A DAY! 24/7
Testimony:
Increasing numbers of Australian farmers have recognised the benefits of RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) low-interest loans to improve cash flow so they can manage through continuing dry conditions.
RIC CEO John Howard said farmers managing through significantly below average and record low rainfalls were mostly using their loans to refinance existing debt to save on their regular loan repayments and free up cash flow to pay bills, buy feed for livestock and water for livestock and produce.
"Farmers are mostly using their RIC loan to refinance part of their existing debt to save on their agribusiness loan repayments and free up cash flow to buy feed and water for livestock and cropping, pay operating expenses, and purchase capital infrastructure to improve their water storage," Mr Howard said.
"Our specialist team of agri lenders are talking to farmers every day and many tell us they just need some financial breathing space to manage through until they can get back on their feet."
This breathing space also allows farmers respond quickly to significant financial impacts, plan for future dry times and improve their risk position.
South Australian apple and pear growers Robin and Helen Mason and their sons, Paul and Todd produce more than 1620 tonnes a year of fruit on average at their property at Lenswood.
Low rainfall and drought conditions in 2019, combined with two hail events, prompted them to invest in permanent trellising and they applied for a RIC Drought Loan to refinance part of their commercial debt.
"We needed to get going quickly and efficiently and not have to worry too much in the immediate term about how it was going to be paid back until everything was producing the way we wanted it to," Mrs Mason said.
The five-year interest-only loan payments and low interest rate enabled additional cash flow to invest in netting and new fruit varieties. Crucially, netting has increased the moisture content in the soil when combined with good grass coverage between rows.
It means the business does not have to rely as heavily on irrigation, an important benefit given the family is not permitted to build more on-farm water storage under state regulations.
"With a new record dry for this area in 2024 and into 2025, we can see clearly how water management improves with the presence of permanent netting," Mrs Mason said.
Since they received their loan funds, the Masons have been able to increase the netted area from three hectares to almost 25 hectares.
"We figure any area we've structured this way is then set up for 30 years with that variety of apple. We are picking more fruit of a higher quality," Mrs Mason said.
TAKE ACTION TODAY:
Once you've had a chat with us and selected the SkySpring Harvest AWG machine that best suits your farm, the next step is to get in touch with ROV to arrange the financial funding.
Visit ric.gov.au/before-apply for helpful tools to help you discover if a RIC Drought Loan is right for you. Simply call 1800 875 675 to talk through your individual needs and how to apply.
This is branded content from RIC (Regional Investment Corporation)