NOVEMBER 2020 

A word from Rob Massina, President of RGA

Whether you’re harvesting grain, monitoring ducks, flushing rice and getting the three way mix on, it’s a busy time of year. With a supplementary event in the Murrumbidgee just announced, allocations building, some common sense with the Barmah Millewa account payback lifted to 50% and downward pressure on temporary water prices, we are looking at a solid end to 2020 and strong start to 2021.

Since my last update, rice planting has been in full swing and growers have pushed to get Reiziq in prior to the close of the planting window. This reaffirms the importance of having diversity in agricultural production in the southern connected system. As an annual crop, rice has flexibility going into summer and provides a real option as water becomes available.

We continue to make this point in many of our submissions, in particular the ACCC Review into water markets... READ THE FULL ARTICLE 

 


A word from Denise Kelly, RGA Coleambally Branch President  

It is wonderful to see the turnaround in seasons since last year. Hopefully our members are preparing or have started harvest of bumper winter crops and have finished summer plantings. We are surrounded by rice growers once again here in Coleambally.  It is great to see and feel the enthusiasm around Coleambally with many summer crops in the ground and rice being high on the list of crops going in.

Your RGA team advocating for you

An update on RGA's recent, significant engagements with Federal and State Ministers, Government Departments, Peak Bodies, and other major stakeholders.

Find out more about the ACCC Survey for the Water Market Inquiry, what's happening in the advocacy space, and RGA's contribution to the conversation on water policy...  READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition

The RGA are members of the RRRCC, which was formed in 2016, and is an alliance of 21 organisations. The priorities of the RRRCC are to raise awareness about the important role of connectivity for regional Australians, and to ensure their voices are heard... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

A Word from Charleton Glenn, RGA Policy Officer
The Productivity and Industry Affairs (PIA) committee continue to represent the interests of RGA members. The recent areas of focus for members to note are: Fall Army Worm sightings in the Lower Namoi regions of NSW and the Grain Harvest Management Scheme... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Rice Industry Awards - Outstanding achievements recognised 

Rice Extension, on behalf of the rice industry, was excited to announce the winners of the 2020 Rice Industry Awards at a small celebratory dinner at the Historic Hydro Inn, Leeton at the end of September. The annual Awards, now in the second year, are designed to showcase the best in the rice growing business and highlight innovation in production and irrigation methods, as well as in water efficiency.  The 2020 SunRice Grower of the Year was awarded to... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RGA MEMBERS

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RGA Rice Industry Leadership Program

Over the past 2 months the RGA has launched 3 online learning programs – these programs are now available for you all to complete in a self-paced e-learning platform. The 3 programs are available on the RGA website with each module broken down into bit sized units, totalling 2 hours to complete. Complete all 3 or just pick the most relevant program to your needs/interests. Each module is made up of a series of videos and questions – you can stop and start when required, or just listen to the audio while on the tractor.   READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 

Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Walk.
Sunday 8th November: 9am

Exploring Beyond Diesel, Online
11th November: 1.00 pm – 4.30 pm

Soil Carbon: Climate Solutions Right Under Our Feet, Online
12th November: 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm

Jan Cathcart Scholarship
 Applications close 16th November. 

National Agriculture Day.
20th November 2020. 

Plains-wanderer conservation tender in the Murray Riverina.
Applications close 30th November 2020.

Rice Extension - SunRice Grower of the Year Field Day.
Leeton, 10th December 2020. 

Murray Landcare Collective Meeting.
17th February 2021: 10.00 am – 12.30 pm

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PARTNERS

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

 

The SunRice Jan Cathcart Memorial Scholarship offers financial assistance of up to $30,000 for tertiary study... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 

 

 

 

Goulburn determinations have increased to 93% and VIC Murray has increased to 77%. The NSW Murray is now at 36% and Murrumbidgee at 58%. With the Murray catchments now wet, subsequent rainfall will generate inflows and likely see determinations increase further... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 

 

 

Introducing the Regional Advisory Network (RAN): a new program designed to help customers who are having connectivity issues in their home, business premises or on the road. 

The RAN team is made up of experts who are scattered around the country so no matter where you live, you’ll have access to them...  READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 

 

 

 The NSW government’s review of vesting is still delayed, the GIPA case outcome is that SunRice documents will be released to the public and the RMB Annual meeting is scheduled for 18th November..... READ THE FULL ARTICLE


 

 

 

Local Land Services update: How Sustainable is your farm? Running a sustainable farm makes sense, but how do you prove you are? How do you measure sustainability? Sustainability credentials frameworks could be the answer. Murray Local Land Services has partnered with SunRice, the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia and Riverina Local Land Services on a project to develop a rice industry sustainability framework, aimed at highlighting growers’ quality product and environmental stewardship... READ THE FULL ARTICLE