JULY 2020 

A word from Rob Massina, President of RGA

In the first week of July we completed all our branch Annual General Meeting’s and industry forums via an online platform for the first time in the RGA’s history. I would like to thank all those who participated, we hope you found it worthwhile. All branch presidents decided some months ago that the uncertainty around COVID-19 meant an online platform was the safest way to go for our members. I thought I would give a high level overview of what was shared, for those who were unable to attend.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank those members who continue to support us by paying their membership subscriptions.  Your membership fees made up 16% of our income last year and without it we would not be able to do our core business, which is representing the interests of rice growers on the political stage.  

When there is limited water the team at the RGA are working harder than when our communities and our great industry are thriving. Just because you are not growing rice due to low water availability doesn’t mean you need to drop off the RGA membership, we are continuing to work for our communities.

The Research & Development levy review has been a substantial amount of work for the RGA. The new levy rate will provide an additional $1.6 million per year on average for Research & Development to help ensure growers keep producing the best quality rice in the world, while also being the most efficient. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but we have so much more to do... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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 Rice Price Survey, what's happening in the advocacy space, and RGA's contribution to the conversation on water allocations...  READ THE FULL ARTICLE

A Word from Neil Bull, RGA Environment Projects Manager

The RGA Environmental Sustainability Committee have been overseeing a number of initiatives on behalf of RGA members,  the priorities of the committtee include supporting Landcare, continuing the Bitterns in Rice Project, contributing to National Farmers Federation Biodiversity Certification Trial project, the development of a Solar Farm Development Policy and the development of the Riverina Sustainability Framework... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

A Word from Charleton Glenn, RGA Policy Officer

The RGA Productivity and Industry Affairs (PIA) committee have been working hard behind the scenes on behalf of RGA members, the main focus of the committee has been the rice vesting review, the implementation of the R&D Levy increase, transformational change for the future of the rice R&D program and engaging with the National Farmers Federation.  For those RGA members who weren’t able to attend the virtual meetings, the main points made in relation to the PIA committee were:   READ THE FULL ARTICLE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RGA MEMBERS

RGA Branch Annual General Meeting's

The RGA Branch Annual General Meetings were conducted on-line this year due to COVID-19 constraints. READ THE FULL ARTICLE

On-farm financial Risk Management Project – National Survey, National Farmers Federation. 

 

GRDC Update - Southern & Central NSW.

Thursday 23rd July: 9.00am – 10.30am

Women in Rice: Water for the Environment, Rice Extension.

Tuesday 28th July: 12.00pm – 1.30pm

GRDC Update - Feathertop Rhodes grass.

Thursday 20th August: 9.00am – 10.30am

'The Rice Life' Rice Extension Podcast.

Online. 

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

A word from Diane Morona, RGA Hay Branch President  

We’ve just had our first year of AGM’s via teams. That was an experience and a half. The RGA staff did a great job of bringing us together under these difficult times.  We may call our meetings a success but there is something really nice about getting together, having a meeting and then a social chat.  I miss that, as I’m sure you all do as well. 

Our lives have changed. But other things haven’t.  Such as, vesting.  We are coming around again to the time when submissions need to be made.  When the terms of reference are made known, RGA will assist you in completing a submission.  I urge you to be involved.  Many voices will ensure our message gets through.

You won't be hearing from us  

Expired members

As of the 1st August, members whose subscriptions have expired will no longer be receiving communications and updates from the RGA.

Over the last few months the RGA has been reaching out to those who have not renewed their RGA membership. 

We thank our Industry Supporters and members who renewed and continue to support the RiceGrower's Association, even when they are not able to grow rice. As Rob Massina pointed out in the Branch Meetings - 'it is in these hard years that the RGA is working even even harder for you.'

There is a lot happening in the coming months. We have the Vesting Review, the R&D Investment program, the Rice Industry Environmental Sustainability Framework and of course our Water Policy Advocacy actions and outcomes - to name a few.  You will no longer receive updates on these matters.

We hate to see you go and thank you for your support over the years, but should you change your mind and decide to renew,  click here or contact the RGA office on (02) 6953 0433

PARTNERS

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

The SunRice Group released its FY2020 Full Year Financial Results on Thursday 25 June.SunRice’s results will be presented at the Ricegrowers Limited Annual General Meeting, to be held at 10.30am on Friday 28 August 2020 at the Jerilderie Civic Hall, Jerilderie, and virtually. Further details on the arrangements for the AGM will be sent to shareholders in July. SunRice also released its 2020 Annual Report, which can be found on the SunRice website.   READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 



H2OX outline their latest water report: The 2020-2021 water year has seen better openings than last year. Murrumbidgee General Security received 10% while NSW Murray opened with 0%. With the Murray catchments now wet, subsequent rainfall will generate inflows and see determinations increase as the season progresses. The Victorian Murray opened on 8% and the Goulburn on 35% as anticipated under the average inflow scenario... READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 



As Telstra’s Regional General Manager for ACT and Southern NSW, I am really pleased to let our partners and members of the Ricegrowers’ Association know that we are close to being carbon neutral.We set an ambitious target to reduce our carbon emissions which is why we are very proud to announce that we expect to be certified as carbon neutral by Climate Active in the next few weeks – well ahead of our initial plan...  READ THE FULL ARTICLE

 




Rice Marketing Board update: Who would have thought that we would have had to revert to the internet to hold our sub- branch and Annual General meetings?  It was an unusual experience to be talking to growers about the vesting review and other matters recently by video rather than in face-to-face meetings.  For those of you who weren’t able to dial-into the meetings, the main points John Culleton, the RMB Chair, made in relation to the vesting review were... READ THE FULL ARTICLE