A NEW competition promoting farm sustainability has been announced with a prize to the value of $5000.

The 2011 Plasback Sustainable Farming Award is part of an initiative by the hay and fodder industry to promote recycling and efficiency in farming practices.

The award is open to any farming operation in Australia and has been made available thanks to the efforts of Tapex, a supplier of crop-protection plastics to the fodder industry, and the Australian Fodder Industry Association.

The announcement of the competition follows last year's launch of the Tapex Plasback farm plastics recycling program.

Tapex environmental manager Ed George said there were 27 Victorian regional councils and shires involved in the Plasback recycling program, which covered all major dairy production areas.

"Last year we recycled just over 100 tonnes of products such as silage wrap and twine and we hope to substantially increase that amount this year," Mr George said.

"The competition is about encouraging farmers to get involved in recycling their waste plastics and improving their practices in general."

AFIA executive officer Colin Peace said while the focus of the award was on recycling, entries were open to any farmer who could demonstrate gains in efficiency and innovation.

"Entrants could be doing something like working on a method of reducing their fuel usage or the number of times they have to work a paddock," Mr Peace said.

"There is a judging criteria to be met and that involves originality, meeting industry needs, cost benefits and the scope for broader applications of the practice."

The Plasback program was designed to help farmers recycle their plastic waste from hay and silage conservation.

Under the scheme, farmers can recycle silage wrap, silage pit covers, grain tubes and baling twine plastics.

Plans are in progress to expand the Plasback program into NSW, South Australia and Tasmania this year.

The award will be decided by an independent panel of judges and presented at the AFIA's national fodder conference at Maroochydore, Queensland, on August 9-10.

The $5000 prize includes $4500 of Tapex products and $500 cash.

  • For entry details, phone Nick McClelland on (03) 9530 2199, or visit www.afia.org.au