Whitton is one of IPF’s three EASY Liquids sites, with the others located at Moree in northern NSW, and Boundary Bend in north-west Victoria . Photo: Incitec

INCITEC Pivot Fertilisers has boosted grower access to fertilisers in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of New South Wales following completion of a $2.5-million upgrade of its Whitton EASY Liquids facility.

IPF president Scott Bowman said IPF’s investment in the Whitton EASY Liquids facility included
the establishment of an on-site tank farm, increasing capacity by approximately 30 percent to 5 million
litres.

“The self-bunded, self-contained tank farm consolidates storage on-site, reduces handling, and
enables direct dispatch of finished product,” Mr Bowman said.

“The increased storage will deliver improved efficiencies for growers in the region and ensure reliable, year-round access to key inputs that support top yields across all seasons.

“By delivering targeted solutions, this upgrade bolsters the productivity, competitiveness, and long-term success of growers in the MIA and beyond.

EASY Liquids and nitrogen marketing manager Ben Anderson addresses the gathering at Whitton this week. Photo: IPF

EASY Liquids sites were previously part of the Yara Nipro business bought by IPF in 2022, and growers, IPF customers, and agricultural industry stakeholders attended the official opening this week of the improved and expanded Whitton site.

“Whitton supplies an agricultural area spanning across a radius of about 300km, taking in one of the most diverse and productive regions in Australia.

“Broadacre farmers including cotton growers as well as growers of permanent plantings in the region such as almonds, walnuts, citrus, and grapes, will directly benefit from the Whitton investment.

“The Whitton facility upgrade demonstrates IPF is delivering on our commitment to invest in manufacturing in regional Australia and enhance the local distribution points for liquid fertilisers to
key agricultural markets.”

IPF is also investing in on-farm research and development in the region.

At the nearby Irrigation Research and Extension Committee demonstration site, IPF is
undertaking field trials in cotton to assess the potential benefits of treating pre-plant nitrogen with eNpower.

The eNpower treatment features 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate glycolate, or DMPG, which is IPF’s patented nitrification inhibitor.

High rates of pre-plant N can be subject to large losses if conditions become wet to very wet in the
fallow or from the first two to three in-crop irrigations.

Losses of N either reduce grower profitability through lower yields or result in high fertiliser rates
to compensate for the loss.

The loss of N as greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide also impacts the environment.

Source: IPF