MARCH 2020

A Word from Rob Massina, President of RGA

The RGA were able to present at a Federal Parlimentary inquiry into Australian Agriculture reaching $100 Billion by 2030. This goal or idea was adopted by the federal government after National Farmers Federation had put the aspiration to them. One thing that is clear is the government policy at both a state and federal level and the cohesion between both have a strong influence on how this number is to be achieved. The uncertainty and shotgun approach to Ag policy in this country is stifling innovation and development on family farms in some regions of Australia.

It is fair to say the last 5 months has seen the activity around the Murray Darling Basin escalate. The RGA have attended hearings written numerous submissions, assisted and contributed to submissions from within our community, developed strong relationships with those in government and our peak bodies that represent us on these issues. Importantly, we have shaped and had influence on the development of the NSW Water Resource Plan. The NSW government have held off on forwarding the Water Resource Plan to the Murray Darling Basin Authority as they now realise that it needs full consultation, in which we will be invited to participate in the coming weeks.

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A Word from Neil Bull, Environment Projects Manager of RGA

The Climate Research Strategy for Primary Industries – is a partnership between organisations that invest in climate Research, Development and Extension (RDE) for Australia’s primary industries. The partnership includes 8 State and Federal Government departments, CSIRO and 11 Research Development Corporations (RDCs) including Grain RDC and Agrifutures.

CRSPI brings together the research and knowledge that the Australian agriculture sector needs to adapt to a changing climate and reduce emissions.

In December 2019 CRISPI convened the “Carbon in Agriculture Workshop” in Canberra to progress industry, research and government collaboration in research, development and extension (RDE) to assist Australian agriculture to trend toward carbon neutrality consistent with the aims of the National Farmers Federation 2030 Roadmap.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE.

RGA announces Greg Graham Memorial Scholarship and Peter Connor Book Award Recipients

This scholarship is proudly sponsored by SunRice, Rice Research Australia Pty. Ltd. and the Ricegrowers' Association of Australia

These scholarships help alleviate financial pressure to facilitate a greater focus on university study. It also enables students to move away from home and study at a time when this may not have been otherwise possible, particularly during drought years and other times of hardship. The Greg Graham Memorial Scholarship for 2020 is awarded to...

YOUR RGA TEAM ADVOCATING FOR YOU

From presenting to the Senate inquiry into growing Australian agriculture to $100 billion by 2030, to representing the interests of Rice Growers at the NSW Irrigators Council, Murray Regional Strategy Group, meetings with the National Farmers Federation and more. It has been a busy start to 2020 for your RGA team.

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IMPORTANT RGA DATES

RGA Rice Industry Leadership Program 2020: RGA together with AgriFutures Australia is 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 close 13 March 2020...READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Rice Industry Field day
Thursday 5 March, Yanco Agricultural Institute, NSW.

Feral Fighters Autumn Fox Baiting,Moulamein and Surrounds

Tuesday 10 March, Moulamein and surrounds, NSW.

RGA Board and Central Executive Meeting
Tuesday 17 March, SunRice Office, Leeton, NSW.

Mallee Tour
Wednesday 18 March, Swan Hill, NSW.

Women, Wine and Yoga
Tuesday 24 March, Griffith, NSW.

Livestock Basics Day
Friday 3 April, Wakool, NSW.

A Word from Chris Morshead, RGA Mirrool Branch President

As the smoke from the recent throng of bushfires circulates the globe, and the dust settles following another reasonable dust, incredibly there is a bit of rain about. Proof that it can and does still rain. We've got a bit of a start but more locally and in catchments would be greatly beneficial, but a change in pattern is better than no change.

This season’s small rice crop in the Mirrool branch area has certainly faced significant challenges...

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

WATER MATTERS

After an intensive RGA lobbying effort, the NSW Water Minister advised the Basin Ministerial Council on 17 December that NSW Water Resources Plans would not be lodged for MDBA assessment and accreditation by the 31 December deadline. The plans will be held up pending consultation with stakeholders on proposed changes to the NSW Water Sharing Plans to address concerns raised in the RGA and other submissions. This is a great result, overturning the NSW Department’s advice to stakeholders on 27 November that the resources plans would be lodged regardless...

READ CLAIRE MILLER'S WATER UPDATE HERE.

RGA recognises 50 year growers

2019 marks 50 years since the co-operative built the rice mill at Deniliquin, and became the largest milling complex in the Southern Hemisphere.

At the 2019 AGM, the RGA recognised the 25 growers that started in that year. For the 22 growers that could not attend we took the opportunity to present their certificates at their local Half Year Branch meeting.

Those who could attend delighted us with their stories of rice growing back then, the hardships and the challenges they overcame.

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PARTNERS

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

SunRice announces Jan Cathcart Scholarship Recipient:

SunRice has announced Alexandra Morona, who grew up on her family’s rice farm near Deniliquin, as the 2020 recipient of the Jan Cathcart Scholarship. The $30,000 scholarship will support Alexandra’s studies during her third year of a Bachelor of Animal Science degree at Charles Sturt University... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

H2OX outline their latest water report: Welcome to 2020. The water markets have ebbed and flowed over the last few months. The Murrumbidgee IVT has been opening frequently. Water deliveries down the Goulburn saw the IVT open in late January and with further deliveries forecast, we expect it to continue opening for the next few months... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

All of us at Telstra are saddened to see the impact the fires in NSW and Queensland have had. In these disaster hit areas we have enacted our disaster preparedness programs and have people on the ground assessing the damage to our network to restore services... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Rice Marketing Board Update: There has been some media commentary about NCAT’s determination including that vesting is limiting the potential of the rice industry. Vesting is subjected to a review by the NSW Government every five years and NSW growers have overwhelmingly indicated their support for the arrangement during each of the reviews. As a NSW rice grower, you would also know that the RMB undertakes an annual assessment of SunRice’s performance under the SEEL and that the resulting determination of the financial benefit arising from having a single export agent is made known to you... 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