Rice Price Survey - indication of rice price is the key trigger.

Thank you to the 129 members that took part in our rice pricing survey last month, the information gathered has provided us with a greater understanding of what is important to members and enabled more precise discussions when we took this information to SunRice.

You made it very clear that the price of rice, temporary water prices and water allocations are the main decision triggers when deciding to put water aside for rice production.

Also key in your decision making is greater frequency and transparency around price information globally. It needs to be relevant to Australian growers.

Our members want to see regular; at least monthly, updates on commodity information throughout the year. This information makes for a greater understanding of supply, demand and currency fluctuations and the subsequent impact on price movements.  

The majority (70%) of participating members are in favour of marketing their rice through a mix of both pool and contract systems. 

Almost all (94%) participants are in favour of early indication for a minimum paddy price, but surprisingly (43%) consider May/June as the key months for this indication with March/April only (17%). We feel that this falls into line with end of water season portfolio decisions.

In all questions relating to decision making around planting rice, an indication of rice price is the key trigger. Our key message to SunRice is 'Give us a price and we will manage our water portfolio.'

Your Central Executive (CE) Delegates heard Laurie Arthur (SunRice Chairman) refer to the survey in his presentation at the July CE meeting. 

SunRice appreciated the RGA collecting this information and are currently working on a response.

Update below for July

Click here to read the RGA's latest media releases,  

Diary Update

Listed below  are some of the RGA's recent, significant engagements with Federal and State Ministers, Government Departments, Peak Bodies, and other major stakeholders
As well, the RGA are actively involved with the following organisations, meeting regularly and advocating on behalf of their members.

• Murray Regional Strategy Group
• Murray Region Regional Leadership forum hosted by Regional Development Australia
• Murrumbidgee PHN, Empowering our Communities Steering Committee (EOC)
• Murrumbidgee Water Sharing Plan Stakeholder Advisory Panel
• NSW Murray Water Sharing Plan Stakeholder Advisory Panel
• NFF CEO's 
• NFF Water Taskforce 
• NSW Irrigator’s Council Strategic Food Security Response Taskforce – Chair Rachel Kelly
• SunRice

July

  Rob Massina, Graeme and Rachel attended a video conference call with SunRice and the NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey and her advisors to further discuss ‘Water for Rice’.

June

  The RGA commenced a project working with SunRice and Murray Irrigation to prepare our submission to the Productivity Commissions review of National Water Reform including the National Water Initiative. We hope this review and our submission will influence the future of water reform in favour of General Security irrigators. RGA, SunRice and MIL have continued to meet regularly since this project commenced.

  RGA Board Meeting to finalise budget and update the rest of the Board on the following matters; Advocacy in collaboration with SunRice, Rice industry engagement with Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO), RGA Communications and the upcoming RGA Branch AGMS’s.

Graeme and Rachel attended an introduction teleconference meeting with Samantha Lucas, Director - Regional Engagement - Southern Basin from the Interim Inspector General’s Office, based in Mildura.

  National Farmers Federation hosted a video conference with the Dept. of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) who gave an update on COVID-19 to attendees.

  Graeme attended a meeting with the Commodity CEO Innovation Coalition hosted by National Farmers Federation (NFF). The meeting discussed the following:

•  Minister Littleproud’s innovation agenda – and the industry response.
• Streamlining and modernising levies reform process – aligning industry input.
• Industry view on areas where Research and Development Committees (RDCs) can work more effectively together, including biosecurity, pathways to carbon neutrality and farm safety.

  Graeme and Rachel attended a conference call with SunRice to discuss Water Advocacy and get an update on Snowy Hydro options.

Neil attended the NFF Climate and Energy Taskforce; discussing the draft NFF Net Zero Emissions policy position, the NFF submission to the review of the Emissions reduction fund and the Australian Governments Technology Investment Roadmap.

  RGA Productivity & Industries Affairs Committee meeting.

Graeme attended a Fuel Tax Credit (FTC) Alliance teleconference to discuss a joint letter to various politicians about the importance of the FTC.

Rachel attended the National Farmers Federation Water Committee Teleconference. In particular the Committee is currently reconsidering its position on the recovery of the 450 GL for the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

  Rob Massina, Graeme and Anthony Vagg attended the annual AgriFutures Levied industries Forum via teleconference.  Rob gave a presentation on the challenges and opportunities within the rice industry and also outlined key R&D priorities.

Graeme and Rachel attended a conference call with SunRice to discuss Water Advocacy and get an update on Snowy Hydro options.

Neil attended the NFF Climate and Energy Taskforce; discussing the draft NFF Net Zero Emissions policy position, the NFF submission to the review of the Emissions reduction fund and the Australian Governments Technology Investment Roadmap.

 RGA Productivity & Industry Affairs Committee meeting.

Graeme attended a Fuel Tax Credit (FTC) Alliance teleconference to discuss a joint letter to various politicians about the importance of the FTC.

Rachel attended the National Farmers Federation Water Committee Teleconference. In particular the Committee is currently reconsidering its position on the recovery of the 450 GL for the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

  Rachel and Graeme attended the MDBA videoconference on the Trends in Water Use (underuse) draft report.

Neil Bull and Erika Heffer attended the Sustainable Rice Academy, more details in the article in this edition of the newsletter

  Rob Massina and Graeme attended the Grower Reference Group hosted by SunRice. This group provides another great opportunity for growers to engage with and interact with SunRice Directors and keys staff on a range of topics.

The RGA Board hosted a teleconference for Branch Presidents and SunRice Directors to discuss a number of key matters; SunRice proposal to reduce the number of directors, vesting and pricing.

The RGA Board hosted a teleconference for Branch Presidents with the Chair of the RMB to discuss vesting.

Graeme attended a NFF CEO’s meeting to discuss the following: The NFF Committees and Taskforces and how we can get the most out of the committee structure and process.

  Rachel attended the NSW Irrigators’ Council meeting to discuss our response to the MDBA Underuse report.

  Graeme, Rachel and Jeremy attended a Murray Regional Strategy Group (MRSG) meeting and workshop to discuss improving how the group functions and whether there is any merit in keeping it going.  It was agreed to maintain the group with improvements being adopted.

Graeme and Claire Miller attended a New Water Hub Debrief hosted by Sustainability Advantage/DPIE & Charles Sturt University. Turlough Guerin and Professor Jim Pratley gave presentations to the attendees.  Key questions asked were; 

1. Would you be willing to support the development of New Water Hub focused on new water solutions for the Murray Darling Basin river system? 
2. What contributions could you bring to, or would expect from, a sub-program or project if a "New Water Hub" was established by CSU in Wagga Wagga? 
3. Where would the value of a "New Water Hub" lie for you and your organisation if established?

  Rob Massina and Graeme attended teleconference with SunRice to discuss results of the pricing survey that was sent out to members. Tom Howard and John Bradford.

  Graeme attended a FTC Alliance meeting to finalise joint letter to MP’s and Senators. The letter was sent to all Federal MPs and Senators except for the Greens and representatives for the Australian Capital Territory.

Rachel attended the NSWIC meeting to discuss the Water Sharing Plans and our concerns about the framing of Planned Environmental Water in the Water Resource Plans.

Neil attended the Biodiversity Certification Trial stakeholder reference committee meeting. This meeting discussed and reviewed the Australian Farm Institute Phase 1 draft report for this project. This report covered reviews of Australian and International sustainability schemes and stewardship programs along with feedback from regional forums across Australia.

  The RGA Water Committee met to discuss current RGA Water Advocacy Efforts.

   RGA and SunRice met with Senator Perin Davey to discuss the progress of the Water for Rice Project.

  Neil attended the Joint NFF Sustainable development Committee and Climate and Energy Taskforce meeting. This meeting discussed the NFF updated climate policy, the review of the EPBC act and the NFF submission on the Technology Investment Roadmap. 

29th June to 3rd July – RGA Branch AGM’s and Industry Updates.

May

 Rachel participated in the NSW Department of Industry Water run an information session on the current allocation and drought outlook.

  Graeme attended an Irrigation Research and Extension Committee (IREC) Executive Committee meeting.

  The National Irrigators Council arranged a meeting with the Federal Opposition Water Minister, The Hon. Terri Butler attended by Rachel and Jeremy.

  Rob, Graeme and Rachel attended a joint meeting with SunRice, RM Consulting Group (RMCG is an environmental and agricultural consultancy), and the MDBA to determine outcomes associated with the work being done on underuse and the associated modelling.

Go to the RGA Website to learn more about your team