Steven Hobbs

Steven works in a family farm enterprise at Kaniva in the West Wimmera of Victoria. It is a typical mixed farm, growing a variety of crops including cereals, legumes and oilseeds, while complementing the cropping with both Merino sheep and Prime lambs. A series of dry years with a succession of late frosts, has seen the rotation slashed to minimise frost damage. It was at this stage Steven developed a keen interest in renewable alternative fuel, and has since purchased an oil expeller, built a bio-diesel processor and produces fuel on the farm. Steven is also investigating the incorporation of by-products into the farming operation and looking at value added markets. Currently, Steven is also trialing the use of straight vegetable oil as a potential fuel.