Important Information for RGA Members

Due to COVID - 19 RGA is offering alternative delivery options in the RGA Leadership program 2020-21. 

For more information click here.

Time Management workshop: REGISTER HERE

Communication Skills workshop: REGISTER HERE

Public Speaking workshop: REGISTER HERE


Due to the ongoing restrictions surrounding COVID, Rice Extension has made the decision to conduct all our future engagements via online platforms.
To watch the recording of the Grower pre-season meetings in each valley click here. 
Growers had the opportunity to chat with SunRice, Rice Extension, Corteva Agro Sciences and researchers. 

John Hanrahan Scholarship 

Applications close 30 September 2020.
The Scholarship, is open to first year Agriculture or Agribusiness degree or diploma students, who will be entering their second year of studies in 2021. Applicants must be studying full-time and be an Australian permanent resident or citizen. Students aged between 18 and 30 from the Riverine Plains region of north eastern Victoria and the southern Riverina region of NSW are eligible to apply. For more information click HERE. 

Uncle Toby’s Scholarship 

Applications close 30 September 2020.
Local agriculture tertiary students working towards a degree or diploma in agriculture or agribusiness are invited to apply for the inaugural UNCLE TOBYS Scholarship, which is being administered by farming system group, Riverine Plains Inc, through the Riverine Plains Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship recognises and encourages agricultural excellence in the Riverine Plains region by supporting a local second year student in their studies. For more information click HERE.

2021 Science and Innovation Awards  

Applications Close 2 October 2020
The Science Awards encourage young scientists, researchers, innovators, farmers, fishers, foresters, extension officers, industry advisers and others actively engaged in the agriculture sector who have an original and innovative project that will contribute to the ongoing success and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries. There are ten industry Science Award categories open for applications: biosecurity and digital innovation; cotton; eggs and poultry (layers); forest and wood products; grains; horticulture; meat and livestock; red meat processing; viticulture and oenology; and wool. Each category includes a $22,000 grant supported by the research and development corporations and industry organisations as Science Award partners. For more information click here.


Regional Investment Corporation Loans

Drought Loan  
Up to $2 million: First 2 years interest free, then 3 years interest only, then principal and interest for remainder of the 10 year term. After 10 years, you can refinance any remaining balance with a commercial lender. For applications received before 30 September 2020. After this date Drought Loan and AgBiz Drought Loan will have first five years interest only at the current variable rate of 1.92% then five years’ principal and interest over a 10-year loan term. For more information click here.

AgBiz Drought loans 

Up to $500 thousand. AgBiz Drought Loan for eligible drought-affected small businesses. For more information click here.  

Farm Investment Loan 

Up to $2 million - First 5 years interest only, then principal and interest for remainder of the 10-year term. After 10 years, you can refinance any remaining balance with a commercial lender. For more information click here.

AgriStarter Loan EOI Open

AgriStarter loan applications will open from 1 January 2021 to support the next generation of Australian farmers. The AgriStarter loan will be available to assist in buying an existing farm business, undertaking succession arrangements or establishing a new farm business. Up to $2 million can be borrowed using the AgriStarter loan over 10 years with the first five years’ interest-only, the variable interest rate is 1.92 per cent from 1 August 2020, followed by five years’ principal and interest repayments. Full details of the AgriStarter loan guidelines and application form will be made available from 1 January 2021. For more information click here.


Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Working Bee 

Date: 20th September 2020

Time: 1pm-3pm

A Spring working bee will be held at Burchfield Lagoon in Deniliquin. For more information contact Erika Heffer Local Landcare Coordinator on 0438719628 or the group at [email protected].

Murray Landcare Collective Meeting, Online

Date: 30th September

Time: 10.00 am - 12.30 pm 

The Murray Landcare Collective is represented by community based, not for profit, Landcare, agriculture, producer and environmental groups across the Murray region.
Holbrook Landcare Network will host this meeting online.
For more information contact Regional Landcare Coordinator Paula Sheehan at [email protected].


Caring for the Land: Farm care networks and adoptability of soil improvement techniques and practices, Online 

Date: 22nd September 2020

Time: 11.00 am - 11.45 am
This Soil CRC webinar will draw on qualitative social data collected from seven mixed farming regions from across Australia and use the theoretical lens of ‘care’ to explore different strategies for enhancing the adoptability of soil improvement practices.  Presented by Soil CRC Project Leader Associate Professor Vaughan Higgins, University of Tasmania. To register click here. 

The Break: Recording of September 2020 Seasonal Climate Update

Here is a recording from Agriculture Victoria's seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey, providing the latest insight into the seasonal forecast for southern New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. Held on Friday 11 September 2020: View the recording

The Break is delivered as short videos summarising oceanic and atmospheric climate drivers and the summarised model predictions for rainfall and temperature. For more information click here. 


Propagate Podcast

Propagate is the podcast that has young farmers and fishers talking. A series of candid conversations recorded in locations across the state, the first season explores the unique stories of eight of the brightest and best young farmers and fishers in NSW in order to learn more about the business of primary production and the people who make it happen. Propagate pays special attention to the business aspects of farming and fishing and covers a diverse range of topics in the first season, including embracing social media to create brands, succession planning, raising capital, managing mental health and planning for the future. By speaking to real-life entrepreneurs and business owners, Propagate hopes to inspire other young farmers and fishers, while showcasing how innovative and dedicated NSW farmers and fishers are. Click here to listen to every episode.






Interview Invitation - Screens for Streams

Improved adoption of fish-friendly pump and diversion screens by the NSW irrigation industry and other water users is expected to have a significant impact on native fish protection and deliver important operational benefits to irrigators and extractive water users. Charles Sturt University invites individual irrigators from NSW to take part in a telephone interview that is designed to understand the level of awareness of and experiences with fish-friendly pump and diversion screens and attitudes towards the financial and environmental benefits associated with the adoption of these screens. Interviews will take approximately 45-60 minutes. As a gesture of appreciation for their time and efforts, interview participants will receive a $80 Coles/ Myers group gift card. There is a limited number of interview places available. Participation in this study is completely voluntary. For further information, please click here the Participant Information Sheet. If you would like to participate in this study, please contact a member of the research team: Dr Tahmid Nayeem, Charles Sturt University, Phone: 02 60519291, [email protected] or Dr Nicholas Pawsey, Charles Sturt University, Phone: 02 60519327, [email protected]