Hi Fringe ... have numbers that show cotton irrigators (grrr) can use 9mega/l (million litres) per HECTARE for a gross return of $900/ha (net $450/ha) or $94/m/l of water used ...
One area and example I know is the Bourke area (sensitive to drought issues) but there 5 cotton corporations consume 75% of the 523G/L irrigated (GL= million cubic metres of water) and employ just over 100 people (mostly seasonal partime). Grazing and Tourism earn more each year than cotton. Even in Bourke, cereal crops can be irrigated successfully on less than 1 m/l per hectare ... a 91% reduction in water use and put a valuable resource back into the river system.
Canola could be irrigated for bio-diesel as you suggest and processing plant could provide employment.
I read also that bio-diesel reduces CO2 emissions by 78% ... now that is a biggie !!
I'm with you mate ... GROW CANOLA NOT COTTON !!!
For those who question land availability for biofuels ... yes it is an issue ... try search in google: "biodiesel algae".
Cheers ... tight stops.
This is only my (GROW CANOLA NOT COTTON) view ... read the red stuff.
