News and hot topics

Latest news and information affecting the rice industry.

Australia's future as a food superpower

4 May 2012 3:14 PM - ... is in Government's hands

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) has welcomed Prime Minister Gillard’s statement at an international summit in Melbourne last night that Australia has the potential to become a global food superpower.

 RGA President, Les Gordon, said “it is encouraging that the Prime Minister recognises our potential but it is a pity that many current government policies clearly do not provide the same support and recognition”.

 “The Prime Minister said that Australia needs to become a leader in the area of food production.  In our industry, we already produce the highest yielding rice crops in the world and our industry processes and value adds to those crops in the Riverina in New South Wales.”

 Mr Gordon said “it is disappointing that, despite the rhetoric from the Prime Minister, we are currently seeing cut backs and impediments in a number of areas which must be addressed if we are to stay amongst the best rice food producers in the world.”

Please click here to view the full media release.

Eliza stars for rice industry

16 May 2012 4:32 PM - Successful Horizon Scholarship candidate

The Ricegrowers Association of Australia is pleased to announce that Carrathool student Eliza Star has been awarded a prestigious Horizon Scholarship, with the help of sponsorship from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation rice program.

Chair of the Rice Research and Development Committee, Ian Mason, said that Eliza had done extremely well to be one of only eight applicants of a field of 167 to be successful.

“It’s a great achievement for Eliza to be selected out of such a strong field of applicants.”

“We’re really pleased that she is getting this assistance to pursue her goal of returning to the MIA as an agronomist. We congratulate Eliza on her wonderful achievement and wish her the best studying for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Charles Sturt University.”

Mr Mason said that the Horizon Scholarship provided considerable benefits for recipients.

Please click here to view full media release.

Good response to stubble burning campaign

16 May 2012 4:18 PM - Successful awareness program

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia says a stubble management awareness program encouraging rice growers to burn responsibly has been a major success.

The four week radio campaign targeted the Griffith and Deniliquin regions, highlighting the importance of burning rice stubble in the proper weather conditions and urging growers to consider alternatives.

The RGA says there have been no complaints about burn-off smoke recorded by Griffith City Council during the campaign period.

“We’ve been really pleased with the way rice growers have responded to our call to consider their neighbours and local towns when choosing the time to burn their stubble,” RGA Policy Officer Andrew Bomm said. “When people have chosen to burn, they’ve generally made sure to do it when the wind is blowing in the right direction.”

“Rice stubble has also been burnt earlier in the day, which helps avoid inversion layers that cause smoke to settle over residential areas.”

“Growers should also be aware of the alternatives to stubble burning. The RGA Benerembah Environmental Champions cluster group has developed a useful package of information on stubble management options, which is available by contacting the RGA’s office on 02 6953 0433.

Please click here to view the full media release.

RGA recognises contribution of Stewart Ellis

3 May 2012 11:28 AM -

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) has  congratulated former Murray Irrigation Limited and National Irrigators’ Council Chairman, Stewart Ellis, for his outstanding contribution to irrigators and irrigation company interests over many years.

 RGA President, Les Gordon, said “it has been a privilege to work with Stewart in many different roles over a long period and his dedication and commitment to advancing the interests of irrigators would be missed”.

To view the full media release please click here.

Carbon farming in a rice-based system

20 Mar 2012 4:18 PM - Fact Sheet February 2012

The RGA Environmental Champions Program has produced a Fact Sheet on "Carbon farming in a rice-based system".  Please follow this link 

http://www.rga.org.au/rice-environment/greenhouse-strategy.aspx

 to view more information on this important topic and to view the fact sheet.

RGA lodges submission to MDBA on Basin Plan

13 Apr 2012 4:03 PM -

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) has lodged its submission on the Draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan with MDBA.

The RGA submits that unless the basis on which the Draft Basin Plan has been developed is changed then a balanced outcome will not be possible.

Please click here to view the full media release issued today, 13 April.

The submission lodged by RGA can be viewed by clicking here or viewing http://www.rga.org.au/members-services/publications.aspx .

Opportunity for women involved in agriculture in the Riverina

13 Apr 2012 12:51 PM - Fully funded training opportunity

Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre has funded places available for women in the Riverina to gain part qualifications in agriculture through skills recognition.

There are 5 places for a Certificate IV in Agriculture and 5 places for a Diploma in Agriculture. 

(This normally costs $2850 but this opportunity is fully funded by the Government)

To gain these qualifications you need relevant experience in the areas identified in the attachment (please click here).

These places are only available for a very limited time.

 Please click here to obtain an application form.

 For more information please contact Carolle Leach at Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre, Yanco Agricultural Institute -  ph: 1800 628 422 or  02 6951 2634 or email carolle.leach@dpi.nsw.gov.au  as soon as possible.

NFF Blueprint for Agriculture

21 Mar 2012 11:53 AM -

The Blueprint for Australian Agriculture aims to bring together all with an interest in, or involvement with, agriculture to help shape its future direction. Farmers, transporters, retailers, consultants, rural businesses, agribusinesses, educators, governments, rural communities, community groups and consumers are all invited to take part.

he Blueprint is about giving you the opportunity to have your say on the issues and challenges facing the agricultural sector and its supply chain now and in the future, and your thoughts on the opportunities and solutions to achieving a strong and sustainable future. 

The Blueprint is an initiative of the National Farmers’ Federation, and once developed, will map out where we as an industry want to go and how we are going to get there. And to do so, NFF needs your help. 

How to get involved:

There are many ways you can get involved in the Blueprint. You can:

> Fill in the online survey... where you can tell us the issues, challenges, opportunities and risks you see facing agriculture and the supply chain now and in the future.

> Attend a free Blueprint forum in your state or territory... to discuss your ideas and issues with other people involved in agriculture and the supply chain. Hosted by the NFF, these forums will give you the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and share your vision for the future of the sector. 

Forums are taking place in every state and territory from March to May 2012:  At this stage meetings in locations closest to RGA members are:

• Wagga Wagga, NSW - Wednesday 4 April, 1pm to 5pm, Country Comfort.
• Shepparton, VIC - Wednesday 18 April, 1pm to 5pm, Overlander Hotel.

To view more information visit http://www.nff.org.au/blueprint.html or contact the NFF Blueprint coordinator, Ruth Redfern by phoning 02 6269 5666 or emailing rredfern@nff.org.au .