A Message from the President
Justin Sutherland
President, Ricegrowers' Association
Well, it’s that time of year again. The days are getting longer; there are footy and netball finals, tractors are burning diesel, and we're crunching the numbers on gross margins like any tight year we have had in the past.
It’s always a busy time of year, with plenty of decisions to be made and plenty to consider as we look towards the season ahead. I wish everyone all the best as we work through those decisions and make choices going forward.
Here’s hoping for a good season, favourable conditions and a bit of luck along the way.
Executive Director’s Update
Perin Davey
Executive Director, Ricegrowers' Association
Thank you for making me feel so welcome in this role. It has been busy, but I am buoyed by the support of staff, the Board and our members.
This month I continued meeting stakeholders to reinforce that Australian rice is a success story, but one that depends on stable water policy balancing social, economic and environmental needs.
It was great to join regional representatives from our area, the Victorian Murray and Goulburn, at the MDBA roundtable. I also met DCCEEW Water and Environment Branch head Sean Sullivan—who was born in Deniliquin—and caught up with NSW DCCEEW Executive Director Mitch Isaacs.
In Canberra, I attended AgriFutures’ Levied and Emerging Industries strategic planning sessions, building connections and exploring opportunities for cross-industry collaboration.
I also met key parliamentary advisers and David Farley MP, who explained his motion calling for the CEWH to trade water this year. Current CEWH trade intentions did not identify the NSW Murray or Murrumbidgee as opportunities for the July–September quarter.
Dr Banks said environmental demand, forecast conditions and water availability will inform trade intentions for the next quarter.
Water Matters
The month’s leading water event was the MDBA Basin Plan Review roundtable in Sydney, bringing together industry, community and environmental leaders to discuss key issues for the review.
Our region was well represented by RGA; Griffith Councillor Sharri Blumer for the Murray Darling Association; Anthony McFarlane from SunRice; NFF Water Committee Chair and Blighty farmer Malcolm Holm; Basin Community Committee members Rachel Kelly (SunRice) and Michael Pisasale (Deniliquin); and Maggie MacDonald (Deniliquin) from the Murray-Darling Basin Wetlands Working Group.
Although social and economic factors were not a separate theme in the pre-meeting discussion materials, MDBA CEO Andrew McConville said they must inform every theme and decision rather than be treated in isolation.
Key takeaways from the roundtable were:
The MDBA is unlikely to recommend changes to most SDLs, including the NSW Murray and Murrumbidgee.
Constraints projects are expected to continue, with longer timeframes and trials of lower flow rates.
The MDBA is likely to revise goals for the Murray Mouth and Southern Coorong Lagoon, recognising that flows alone cannot keep the mouth open or resolve the lagoon’s issues. Future targets and environmental outcomes will need to reflect this.
Water quality requires more than flows, with fish passage, invasive species and riparian management also part of the solution.
Climate change will require trade-offs and adaptability, likely through management rather than regulatory or legislative change.
The Menindee Lakes review continues, with an options paper due by year-end.
The Water Act Review team will release an interim report for public consultation in November.
The draft SDLAM Reconciliation Determination Package also opens for consultation tomorrow (1 October 2026). A shortfall is expected, but its size is still unknown.
The NSW Murray-Lower Darling Water Sharing Plan remake is beginning. With several consultations underway and harvest approaching, RGA has provisionally supported moving consultation from November–December to January–February 2027. This should not materially delay the outcome because caretaker conventions prevent decisions until after the election.
Drone spraying and spray drift
There have been recent reports of spray drift from drones. When engaging a drone operator for crop spraying, it is essential to know they are properly licensed and comply with the NSW EPA’s regulations. If a spray drift event on a neighbouring property occurs, the grower is likely to be found responsible if the contractor is not appropriately licensed.
NSW EPA’s regulations for drone spraying
EPA requires you to hold:
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Business Licence
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Licence
To obtain an RPA business licence, you must:
Obtain appropriate RPA operation certification (ReOC) from CASA.
Once you have that, apply to the EPA online.
To obtain an RPA Pilot Licence you must:
Apply for an RPA business licence or be employed by a person holding an RPA business licence – unless you
Are applying pesticides on land that you own or occupy; or
Are using an unmanned aircraft that is an excluded RPA, within the meaning of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.
Additional licensing conditions include:
RPA applicator pilot work must be undertaken within visual line of site.
RPA applicator pilot work must not be undertaken at night
RPA applicator pilot work must not be undertaken within the same property as other aerial application work, irrespective of whether the same pesticide is being applied.
On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 rebates now available!
The Australian Government's On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) is back for Round 3, and it's your chance to invest in smart farming technology at a fraction of the cost.
Eligible primary producers can receive a rebate of up to 50% of the cost of eligible equipment, capped at $20,000 (GST exclusive).
Rounds 1 and 2 were heavily oversubscribed, with funding fully allocated within a short period. If you've been thinking about upgrading your farm monitoring equipment, now's the time to act. Register now!
Upcoming Leadership Opportunities
AgriFutures Rural Women's Award 2027
Applications now open | Closes 4 November 2026
Rural Women’s Award | AgriFutures Australia
AgriFutures Rural Women's Acceleration Grant
Applications now open | Closes 4 November 2026
Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant | AgriFutures Australia
Australian Rural Leadership Program
AgriFutures scholarships - open to anyone involved in an AgriFutures industry
Applications Open November 2026 | Close December 2026
Learning and Development Opportunities and Resources | AgriFutures Australia
Peter Cullen Trust Leadership Program 2027
Session 1: 15-19 March 2027
Session 2: 17-21 May 2027
Applications now open for 2027 | Close 18 October
PCT Leadership Program - Peter Cullen Trust
WFO Young Global Survey
The World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) is inviting young farmers to complete a short survey to help shape future youth engagement initiatives. The survey explores key challenges, opportunities and priorities for young farmers, and takes around 15 minutes to complete. Young members are encouraged to have their say.
Climate-Smart Agriculture | Rice Industry Baseline Knowledge Questionnaire
SunRice Group is continuing its Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) pilot program, which supports practices that improve soil health, water-use efficiency and on-farm biodiversity. If you haven't already, we encourage rice growers and industry participants to complete the short survey and share their views. All responses are anonymous.
Complete the survey: Climate-Smart Agriculture - Rice Industry Baseline Knowledge Questionnaire
Rice Extension CY27
For growers preparing to sow in the coming weeks, we encourage you to stay up to date with the latest information, advice and seasonal resources from Rice Extension. If you have any questions about the upcoming season, please don't hesitate to contact the Rice Extension team.
Learn more about the team and find contact details here: https://www.riceextension.com.au/about
AgriFutures Rice Program RD&E Plan 2027-32
The new AgriFutures Rice Program RD&E Plan (2027-2032) is now in place, providing a roadmap for future industry research, development and extension investments.
Rice Program RD&E Plan 2027-32: AgriFutures Rice Program RD&E Plan 2027-32 | AgriFutures Australia
Plan on a Page: Project snapshot: AgriFutures Rice Program RD&E Plan 2027-32 | AgriFutures Australia
New Videos Celebrating Landcare in the Murray & Murrumbidgee Regions
From dedicated volunteers to innovative environmental projects, these new videos celebrate the people and initiatives helping to shape healthier and more resilient regions. Developed by Landcare NSW in collaboration with Landcare organisations in the Murray & Murrumbidgee, it captures the passion, collaboration and achievements of Landcare groups working across this unique and diverse landscape. Sit back, enjoy the video, and be inspired by the difference Landcare is making in our region.
Superb Parrot Habitat Funding
Funding is available to increase Superb Parrot habitat on private land across the central Murray region through the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program and Greening Australia. The funding is for protecting existing vegetation or planting new vegetation. Sites must be a minimum of 2 hectares in total (can be different sites). Participants are expected to complete site preparation and fencing.
For more info and to submit an EOI, email: caitlin.nagle@dcceeew.nsw.gov.au
RGA and Murray LLS Showcase Innovative Environmental Water Management Projects
RGA and Murray LLS Showcase Environmental Water Management
The RGA and Murray Local Land Services recently hosted representatives from the MDBA and DCCEEW on a tour of innovative environmental water management projects, highlighting how growers are delivering positive outcomes for wetlands, native species and regional communities while maintaining productive farming systems. Read the full story and view photos » RGA and Murray LLS Showcase Innovative Environmental Water Management Projects
H5 Bird Flu
Currently there are no reported cases of H5 bird flu in the rice growing regions however as birds start to move about in the spring you may come across sick or dead birds. If you find sick or dead birds on your farm the latest advice from the NSW government is to;
Avoid contact.
Record the location and what you see.
Report via the online reporting form.
Report sick or dead wild birds or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. For more information including reporting, advise and biosecurity measures see Bird flu (H5 avian influenza) | NSW Government
2026-27 Wetland Plant Identification and Ecology Course, Wetland Revival Trust
Each year the Wetland Revival offers a unique plant identification and ecology course at the wetlands on Wirra-lo at Murrabit. It is a 3-day course run over a 6-month period with a focus on the different phases of the wetting and drying cycle within a wetland and how the plant communities change over this time.
It is suitable for anyone interested in learning more about wetlands and plant identification, including landholder and NRM professionals. Both Janet and Andrea have completed the course and found it to be very valuable. The first day is on the 28th or 29th October, so book your place now. Courses - Wetland Revival Trust
Business internet or Home internet
What's right for you? For many small businesses, especially those operating from home or across regional communities, a reliable internet connection is essential to staying productive, connected and ready for growth.
While a home internet plan may be suitable for everyday household use, business internet is designed with business needs in mind. That can include support for bandwidth-heavy tasks such as video conferencing, uploading and downloading large files, accessing cloud-based systems, using AI tools and keeping teams connected.
For businesses that rely on digital tools, customer communication or online operations, the right internet plan can make a real difference to performance and reliability.
Telstra’s Smarter Business article explains the key differences between business and home internet plans, including speed, support, reliability and the features that can help businesses operate more efficiently.
It is a useful read for local business owners reviewing whether their current internet setup is still the right fit.
Yanco Agtech Discovery Day: 8 October, Yanco // Click here for more information!
NSW Landcare & LLS Conference: 27 – 29 October, Corowa // NSW Landcare & LLS Conference
