DECEMBER 2019

A Word from Rob Massina, President of RGA

A lot has happened in a month. Some rice has been planted and winter crops been harvested with some results that have surprised many given the amount of rain we have had this season. As much as we would like to go about our day jobs, sadly the month has been driven by delivering strong messages about our most critical resource to decision makers.

It has been a month of submissions; ACCC water markets, Socio & Economic Panel, Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) and last not but least the Murray and Murrumbidgee Water Sharing Plans. The Central Executive and members of our committees have been busy giving input to all these submissions on your behalf.

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A Word from Graeme Kruger, Executive Director of RGA

Every year I look back and think to myself, it’s been busy and its Christmas already. Is it just me? Somehow I don’t think so.

I would like to thank all the RGA staff for their hard work over the last twelve months. My thanks also go to Rob Massina and the RGA leadership made up of the Board and Central Executive. I remain inspired and in awe of the commitment and dedication shown to the organisation and industry.

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Opinion - Denis Tinkler, RGA Member

It's not only the Basin Plan

In the perplexing water management debate in the Southern Connected Basin (SCB) discussion often ends with “well it is really complicated”. This is my attempt to explain some of the complications.

YOUR RGA TEAM ADVOCATING FOR YOU

From submissions for the 'ACCC Murray-Darling Basin water markets inquiry' and the Independent Review of the Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA), to representing the interests of Rice Growers at the NSW Irrigators Council, Murray Regional Strategy Group, meetings with the Shadow Minister for Water, the National Farmers Federation and more. November has been a busy month for your RGA team.

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IMPORTANT RGA DATES

RGA Rice Industry Leadership Program 2020: RGA together with AgriFutures Australia will soon be offering twenty individuals (in total) working within the rice industry or an AgriFutures Australia levied industry, the opportunity to participate in a 12 month Mentoring Program to advance their personal and business development via one-on-one mentoring. Applications will open in January 2020...READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Grower of the Year Field day
Thursday 12 December, Peter & Renee Burke, Jerilderie, NSW.

AgTech and Dealing with the Dry Finances

Thursday 12 December, Coly Community Club, Coleambally, NSW.

RGA Board and Central Executive Meeting
Monday 16 December, SunRice Office, Leeton, NSW.

PulseCheck - marketing, Value Adding and Future Trends
Tuesday 17 December, Barham, NSW.

An evening with the Bitterns
Wednesday 18 December, Kerang, VIC.

Young farmer business program Conference
6-7 February 2020,Dubbo, NSW.

EvokeAg 2020
18-19 February 2020, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, VIC.

GRDC Grains Research Update
18 -19 February 2020, Wagga Wagga, NSW.

RGA Branch Meetings
RGA Branch Meetings are being planned for 17-20 February 2020.
Dates and locations to be advised.

A Word from RGA Yanco Branch President -Scott Williams

Recently I attended, with my partner Pam, an open day on a beef property in the Upper Murray owned by the Couglans.

The property was featured on ABC Landline earlier this year. Michael and Anna Coughlan have been managing the property for some time following the principles of Holistic Management.

The open day was in mid- November, the cows had just finished calving on to green feed, nearby farms were mowing hay, it was a complete contrast to home, except the flies, they were the same

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

WATER MATTERS

On 4 November, RGA wrote to the NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey, and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, requesting that the NSW Murray and the Murrumbidgee Water Sharing/Resources Plans be brought back to stakeholders and community for review before submission to the Murray Darling Basin Authority. The Basin Ministerial Council meets on 17 December, with a packed agenda and under mounting pressure to address flaws in the Basin Plan.

READ CLAIRE MILLER'S WATER UPDATE HERE.

PARTNERS

RGA thank our Partners for their generous support throughout the year.

Reconfiguration of Riverina Operations:

SunRice has recently announced, with deep regret, a further reconfiguration of our Riverina operations, which will result in a further 100 job losses in 2020. This announcement is very upsetting, particularly given the reliance of many regional communities on a vibrant Riverina rice industry... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

H2OX outline their latest water report: Allocation prices have subsided during November due to several factors. On 22 November the Murrumbidgee IVT opened allowing 14.4GL to move into the Murray. A further 5GL went through on 26 November. At the time of opening, Murray allocation prices were roughly $200 more than the Murrumbidgee – a worthwhile arbitrage if you could negotiate the IVT lodgement process. There was approximately 42GL of allocation remaining in the IVT queue.... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Drones used to look for Bitterns: The drone-mounted thermal imaging camera was successfully used in Riverina rice crops last season, and the Ricegrowers' Association and aerial survey company Australian UAV have been engaged through the Murray Local Land Services Ramsar project to trial the drone in the wetland’s denser vegetation of phragmites and giant rush. If the trial is successful, drones will greatly assist population monitoring of these endangered birds...

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Commbank lauches 2019 Christmas Drought appeal with $1 million donation: Commonwealth Bank has launched the 2019 Christmas Drought Appeal with a $1 million donation to help support farmers and communities across the country who have been devastated by recent and unrelenting droughts... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Rice Marketing Board Update: At its 91st Annual Meeting on 21st November, RMB Chair John Culleton reflected on the unseen nature of the Board’s work. At the Annual Meeting, the major contribution of Robyn Clubb AM to the rice industry was acknowledged. Robyn will leave the RMB in March 2020... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

RGA are now in the second year of a wonderful partnership with an energy broker – BEEVO.

Beevo was selected because it is an established leading business solutions provider with a dedicated agriculture division. You will be dealing with specialists who understand not only the rice and mixed crop industry but how our business operates in these challenging times. READ THE TESTIMONIALS