Important Information for RGA Members

Due to COVID - 19 RGA has deferred all upcoming face to face events, and will investigate alternative delivery options. 

RGA Gala Dinner and Rice Industry Awards

Griffith, NSW.

Due to Covid19 the RGA Annual Conference will not be held in 2020, this is very disappointing for the RGA team as this is our major event for the year. We take great pride in being able to put on a great conference for our members and supporters of the Rice Industry. Should we be able to hold events in the second half of the year, the RGA will host a gala dinner to celebrate the industry and the SunRice Grower of the Year 2020 - we will also hold our Annual General Meeting at this time.
Our full Annual Conference program will be back in 2021 bigger and better.

Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program

 Applications for the 2020 Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program have been extended until 5pm EAST Monday 13 April, 2020!!

*** Please note, the DiALP is going ahead, 2020. However, due to COVID-19 the two-day Canberra retreat will not proceed. The NFF will look to reschedule when conditions permit. 

The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (DiALP) mentoring opportunity is designed for aspiring female leaders, 25 years and over, with a passion for agriculture.

The Program matches successful applicants with a mentor and the mentorship runs from May 2020 to October 2020. With their mentor, each mentee establishes leadership goals, outlines steps to achieving these goals and puts, in place steps to measure progress towards these goals.

The Program is supported by leading agriculture-focussed organisations who have joined with the NFF, in committing to make meaningful change towards gender diversity within the leadership ranks of their industry.

For more information contact Program Coordinator Laureta Wallace: (e) [email protected]  (p) 0408 448 250 

Apply here

Seasonal climate update webinar for autumn

These webinars, with seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey, will focus on the seasonal climate outlook.

The outlook will be based on model projections for the climate drivers as well as the oceanic, atmospheric and soil moisture conditions.

The information presented will be of particular relevance to the grains industry in the four GRDC Southern Region states.

These webinars are simply online presentations which allow you to ask questions.

They will be recorded, so if you miss the live presentation you can watch it later at a time that suits you.

New South Wales autumn climate update
Date and time: Wednesday 15 April 2020 at 10am AEST

Event number: 574 273 965

Event password: NSWAutClim20

Attend the New South Wales autumn climate update webinar.

RGA Rice Industry Leadership Program 2020: Mentoring Program update  

Due to COVID 19 some adjustments will be to the Rice Industry Leadership Program. The RGA are currently working through options with our funding partners, we will seek an extension on the funding period, with an extension that will allow us to run the remaining programs later in 2020 or early 2021. Remaining programs include; Tier 2 Foundations of Leadership and an Alumni event.

The RGA and AgriFutures Australia are currently working through the selection process of the applications we received for the Mentoring program. This program will be able to commence in the coming weeks, all the content for this program is offered electronically, making it a perfect learning opportunity in the current climate.
 
If you have any questions please contact Ainsley Massina,Leadership Coordinator on 0428 859 214.

How To Get Bank Savvy - ONLINE

Join the Young farmer Business Program as they chat to leading agribusiness broker Brad Sewell from Robinson Sewell Partners. Brad will cover off on the following topics
- Understanding Farm Finance
- Negotiating with the banks
- Guarantors, Vendor Finance, Working with Investors

If you haven't used Zoom before on your device, be sure to dial in 10mins early to make sure everything is working before we kick off.

Any questions call Tim - 0447 655 163
Time: Apr 21, 2020 06:00 PM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Register here

PestFacts webinar: southern region

PestFacts - southeastern & PestFacts - South Australia are teaming up to update you on recent pest reports and knowledge.
Join us for this pest information webinar where we will cover:

Recent pest reports for the southern region
Russian wheat aphid threshold and green bridge research
Fall armyworm status and identification
Webinar presenters include Maarten Van Helden (SARDI), Elia Pirtle and Julia Severi (cesar).

Thursday 23rd April 12pm-12.45pm AEST

Register here

Fee Free Short Courses

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAFE NSW, in conjunction with the NSW Government, is offering a number of fee-free* short courses that can be completed in just days or weeks, offering practical skills and experiences across a range of industries.

If you’re considering a new direction, why not explore some of the fee-free* short courses as well as learn more about our Mature Age Scholarships, Destination Australia Scholarships and Women in Business program, among many others. Whether or not you’ve studied at TAFE NSW before, we encourage you to explore some of the courses available today. Our course list is updated often, so be sure to check back regularly to find a fee-free* short course that's right for you.

*Eligibility criteria apply.

For more information click here

NEW PODCAST

Launched April 2020

Rice Extension are excited to let you know that Rice Extension is launching a new podcast series called ‘The Rice Life’. 

The aim of ‘The Rice Life’ Podcast is to bring you the latest R&D information for rice-based farming systems, industry news and answer your questions so you can stay informed and connected. Each episode will cover a different topic, we’ll be catching up with individuals from inside and outside of the rice industry. 

If you have any suggestions for a guest or a topic we’d love to hear about please get in touch via e-mail [email protected] or social media @riceextension (Facebook & Twitter). 
Keep an eye out for when our first episodes drops in the coming weeks. To find out more details please visit Rice Extension website and watch our social media channels. 

Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program

The Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program is an initiative of the NSW Government’s Drought Strategy and has been developed to support farmers and provide access to vocational and skills training.

Three professional development priority areas have been identified:

• Risk management
• Financial and business management
• Farm business planning/drought preparedness

What can you claim?
Approved participants can claim a 50 percent subsidy of up to $5000 for the first individual.
There is an additional $1000 available per person for a maximum of four people for a total maximum of $9000 per farm business.
This subsidy may be used to cover course costs' including course fees, travel costs', child/respite care costs and/or software specifically relating to a course.

For more information CLICK HERE.

Transport for NSW Support for Primary Producers

Primary producers across the state will benefit from additional savings on their heavy vehicle registration costs until 30 June 2020. For more information CLICK HERE.  

To give farmers and their families some much needed drought relief Transport for NSW are waiving registration charges on Class 1 agricultural vehicles. For more information CLICK HERE. 

Emergency + App

Members, the RGA urge you to download this free app for emergencies. It only takes a moment.

When you click on the icon it displays your exact location, with your address and GPS coordinates. The latter can be vital when you are on the road between towns, at the farm or in the back paddock. 

You then click on the service you need :
000 Triple Zero, SES – State Emergency Services or Police and tell the operator your location.

For example, our farm location is “about, halfway between town A and town B, 3.7 km past a large property sign, the track on the left before the big right bend, go through two gates.  You can’t miss it!”

Yes, there is still a dependency on having reception, but please take this moment and be prepared.