Here - Ricegrowers` Association of Australia

July 2016
RICE MATTERS
“This Parliament will look very
different to the last and
highlights the critical
importance of RGA being
apolitical and engaging with
Parliamentarians of all
persuasions.”
Jeremy Morton, President of
RGA, discusses the actions
RGA will take post Federal
election.
When they were young - Instalment 5
Jeremy Morton, President
As the dust settles following the
Federal Election, RGA will asses
who are the most important
people in the new Parliament
with whom it will necessary to
both maintain and establish a
productive working relationship.
This Parliament will look very different to the last and
highlights the critical importance of RGA being apolitical
and engaging with Parliamentarians of all persuasions.
With majority Government unlikely, the passage of
legislation in the House of Representatives will require
effective negotiation by whomever forms Government.
Humility, empathy and a willingness to compromise will be
required for the Government to function effectively.
The Senate will again have a cross bench holding the
balance of power. Madigan, Muir, Lazarus, Wang, Day
and Leyonhjelm are gone. Xenophon plus two and Lambie
are back and Hanson and Hinch are new.
Advocating for policies at the Federal level that benefit you
as a rice growers will be a continuing priority regardless of
who is or isn't in power.
RGA Annual Conference
Thursday 4th & Friday
5thAugust 2016,
Deniliquin.
IMAGE: February 2003 Mirrool Brach meeting.
(L to R) John Agostini and Ian Braithwaite.
In this issue...

A big election win for rice R&D

2016/2017 General Security opening
allocations—1st July 2016

What are Translucent Flows?

What Policy areas does RGA cover?

Acknowledgement of the Bitterns in
Rice Project’s Funders

Riverina SunRice Delivers Another
Strong Financial Result for FY16
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
RGA MATTERS
A big election win for rice R&D
RGA’s Andrew Bomm discusses the Coalition’s
promise of A $4m contribution to rice R&D in
Northern Australia.
Recognising that Riverina levy payers have limited capacity
to support the R&D necessary for industry expansion, RGA
has been in discussions with Minister Joyce’s office for some
time about a government contribution to rice R&D in northern
Australia. These negotiations paid off handsomely when just
before the election agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce
promised that the Coalition would invest $4m from the
government’s R&D for profit program to advance knowledge
of rice growing in northern Australia.
Our annual R&D investment through RIRDC sits at around
$3 million, so this is a significant contribution. This
investment in North Queensland R&D is very important for
the entire industry, as it will help underpin effective and
sustainable practices in that region, diversify water
availability risk for SunRice, and help progress our goal of
aerobic rice in the Riverina. The benefit to our R&D capacity
is also critical, as the investment will achieve a lot of
research capacity building that would not have been possible
otherwise.
Local R&D investment re-considered
RGA’s Andrew Bomm discusses R&D levies for
competitive rice production in the Riverina.
“$4m from the government’s
R&D for profit program to
advance knowledge of rice
growing in northern Australia.”
The 2016 Agricultural Census is now
on
RGA’s Leah Wythes discusses the 2016
Agricultural Census.
Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics
measures the pulse of Australia’s agriculture industry, and
it’s happening right now. The Agricultural Census gathers
and provides information on the production of key
agricultural commodities, land management practices, and
information on natural resources.
Approximately 103,000 agricultural businesses across
Australia are asked to participate in the Agricultural
Census, making it Australia’s largest business-based
collection.
The information gathered in the Agricultural Census
supports policy and planning by Commonwealth and state
and territory governments, industry bodies, research
organisations and the farming community.
The Agricultural Census is transforming in a number of
ways, following consultation with industry bodies and
agricultural businesses. Information booths have been
popping up at agricultural events across the country, and a
streamlined online form enables quicker and easier
completion of the Agricultural Census forms.
The Agricultural Census is crucial for decisions that affect
our industry. Please complete the webform today:
www.abs.gov.au/2016AgCensus
What should we be investing in R&D for competitive Riverina
rice production? The priorities of the rice R&D program have
been re-shaped in the last few months, but the main focus
continues to be water use efficiency, including the ultimate
goal of aerobic rice growing in the Riverina. The future
success of the industry depends on us making continual
improvements to the water efficiency of our production.
At our recent RGA branch meetings, this spurred a lot of
discussion about whether the current levy of $3, set when
rice was paying $250/tonne, is enough to achieve the gains
we need to maintain rice as the predominant summer crop of
the Riverina. Many of the branches provided strong support
for increasing the levy, or ensuring that the industry’s
investment increases in some other way to ensure our water
use efficiency continues to improve. RGA will be canvassing
members’ views about this in coming months, so please
consider your views and speak with us about this important
issue.
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
WATER MATTERS
“2016/2017 General
Security opening
allocations.”
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
WATER MATTERS
“Translucent flow provisions
provide variability in river
flows during the winter period
from 22 April to 21 October.”
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
RGA MATTERS
Acknowledgement of the Bitterns in
Rice Project’s Funders
RGA’s Neil Bull discusses the funding behind the
Bitterns in Rice Projects.
“To date the Riverina Local Land
Services (LLS) through the National
Landcare Programme is the largest
financial supporter or the Bitterns
in Rice Project.”
Review of Rice Vesting
The NSW Department of Primary Industries
discusses progress in the review of rice vesting.
The Bitterns in Rice Project began in 2010 with voluntary
collaboration between the RGA and Birdlife Australia. This
project has grown by seeking a range of small donations
and grants, and grown even more to where we are today
from the amazing public support from crowd funding and
significant Commonwealth Government support.
Here I would like to highlight the supporters of the project as
these have not received the recognition they deserve.
Radio interviews and newspaper articles prepared from
publicly available material rarely allow the time or space to
acknowledge the supporters of the Bitterns in Rice Project.
To date the Riverina Local Land Services (LLS) through the
National Landcare Programme is the largest financial
supporter or the Bitterns in Rice Project. The Bitterns in
Rice team and the RGA acknowledge this significant
contribution and in particular how the Riverina LLS support
has underpinned the delivery of this project.
The Crowd Funding campaign generated the second
largest contribution to the project, with other significant
contributions coming from the RGA, the Norman Wettenhall
Foundation, Rural Industries Research and Development
Corporation, Coleambally Irrigation, Murray CMA, Murray
LLS, Murray Irrigation Ltd, Coleambally Landcare,
Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists Club and several
anonymous donors. In addition significant in-kind support
has been received from Birdlife Australia, Landcare NSW,
the Landcare Facilitators in Murray and Murrumbidgee and
the many Ricegrowers and their families.
This wonderful support for our project has enabled Matt
Herring and the team to deliver amazing results with
enormous public recognition.
Consultation as part of the review of rice vesting has
commenced, with Tim McRae, Group Director Economics
and Analysis attending the recent RGA branch meetings.
Tim will also be hosting three public meetings in July to
outline the review process, with public meetings scheduled
for:
Deniliquin, Deniliquin RSL, 11 July, 7pm
Coleambally, Brolga Hotel, 12 July, 7pm
Griffith, Exies, 13 July, 7pm
You are encouraged to attend these meetings and ask the
NSW DPI any questions you may have about the review
process. An information paper with the review’s terms of
reference is now available on the DPI website at http://
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/legislation/list/ricemarketing/review/info-paper and provides background
into the review.
Please forward your submissions via email to
[email protected] or mail to:
Rice Vesting Review
c/- Ms Leah Mansfield
Department of Primary Industries
Locked Bag 21
ORANGE NSW 2800
The deadline for written submissions is 14 September
2016.
IMAGE: Bittern in rice. Image courtesy of Matt Herring - Bitterns in
Rice Project .
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
RGA MATTERS
What areas of Policy
does RGA cover?
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
RGA MATTERS
Lifting Winter Crop Yields
Murray and Riverina LLS discuss ways for
producers to boost yields from their irrigated
winter crops.
RGA Annual
Conference is coming
up next month...
For further information on the project, contact:
Sam North, Research Hydrologist, NSW DPI Ph: (03)
5881 9926
Adrian Smith, Senior Land Services Officer, Murray
Local Land Services Ph: (03) 5880 1412
Anna Wilson, Senior Land Services Officer, Riverina
Local Land Services Ph: (02) 6960 1312
2016 RGA Annual Conference
Producers looking to boost yields from their irrigated winter
crops should water and drain their irrigation bays in less
than 10 hours, and schedule spring irrigations to ensure
adequate soil moisture between the early boot and milky
dough crop stages.
“Looking forward, looking back”
These are two of the key findings of a three year project to
improve irrigated winter crop yields in southern NSW and
northern Victoria.
Annual Conference
The project – ‘Soils under an Irrigated Environment’ will
conclude its monitoring activities at the end of the current
cropping season
The Grains Research and Development Council is funding
the project, while NSW DPI (Deniliquin) and the Victorian
Irrigated Cropping Council (Kerang) are leading the
research activities.
Project partners include Deakin University, Precision
Agriculture, Rice Extension, Irrigation Research and
Extension Committee, Southern Growers and Murray and
Riverina Local Land Services.
Lead research hydrologist with NSW DPI, Sam North, said
the project’s major focus was improving surface irrigation
layouts in southern irrigation areas.
“Talking with many local producers and their advisors, we
believe there are a number of key factors limiting the
productivity of irrigated winter crops in our area,” he said.
“These include soil constraints, irrigation layouts and timing,
and waterlogging. The project team believes there is
enormous potential to lift the yields of irrigated winter
cropping. We hope to develop a range of simple, yet key
messages to take to growers to help them improve
productivity”.
The project has involved intensively monitoring up to 35
sites in the Murray and Murrumbidgee Valleys, and northern
Victoria, monitoring and measuring soil moisture, irrigation
timing, waterlogging duration, and crop yield and quality,
among other things.
Thursday, 4 August 2016
Registration & Lunch 12.00pm
Conference 1.00pm - 5.00pm
Deniliquin RSL, 72 End Street, Deniliquin
Annual Conference Gala Dinner
Dinner Registration and Drinks from 6.15pm
Dinner commences 7.30pm
The Pavilion – Deniliquin Showgrounds,
Memorial Drive, Deniliquin
Friday, 5 August 2016
Annual General Meeting
Registration from 9.00am for 9.30am - 11.30am
Deniliquin RSL, 72 End Street, Deniliquin
For more information contact the RGA on
T: (02) 6953 0433 or E: [email protected]
Registration forms can be downloaded
at www.rga.org.au
Once the data is collected and evaluated, the project team
will develop a range of activities and information for local
producers.
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
OUR SPONSORS
Riverina SunRice Delivers Another Strong Financial Result for FY16
SunRice discusses results for the year ended 30 April 2016 (FY16).
SunRice continues to cement its position as a leading branded food business, recording another strong result for the year
ended 30 April 2016 (FY16).
SunRice’s consolidated revenue for the Group in FY16 was $1.3 billion, a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year
(FY15), driven by a continuing favourable mix of sales into premium branded markets and price, as well as strong growth
from International Rice and Rice Food segments.
Net profit after tax was $52.0 million, a 5.8% increase compared to the previous year, with a strong operational performance
partly offset by exchange rate movements.
Final paddy prices for C15 will be $403.60 per tonne for medium grain (Reiziq), a 2.3% year-on-year increase, and $533.60
per tonne for Koshihikari, a 1.7% year-on-year increase.
SunRice has declared a total dividend (fully franked) of 33 cents per share for B Class shareholders, up 6.5% compared to
the previous year. This represents a dividend payout ratio of 38% and a dividend yield of 7.7% (on a B Class share price of
$4.30 - closing price when results were released).
Since the current strategy was introduced in FY12, SunRice has had a five-year trend of positive financial performance and
metrics.
The strategy, which focuses on premium branded markets and builds capacity and capability across the organisation, has
also increased the Group’s resilience in a dynamic and challenging operating environment.
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
OUR SPONSORS
Riverina farmers hopeful for bumper
winter crop
Rabobank discusses their latest Australian Crop
Update.
New online water exchange
H20X discusses the launch of their new online
exchange on the 1st of September.
Timely rainfall and the increased likelihood of a La Niña
weather pattern, have farmers across much of the country
buoyed by the prospect of a bumper crop.
In its latest Australian Crop Update, agribusiness banking
specialist Rabobank said the autumn break had seen the
Australian 2016/17 winter crop planted into a good
soil-moisture profile, raising expectations of a 26.7 million
tonne wheat crop up 10 per cent on last year.
H2OX host an ASX style water exchange that has been
operating as a wholesale broker exchange over the last 12
months, increasing transparency and efficiency in the water
The report said barley production is also tipped to increase,
by around four per cent to 8.79 million tonnes, while canola is market.
expected to hit 3.28 million tonnes an 11 per cent increase.
H2OX can announce that the company is launching an
Rabobank Griffith branch manager, Bernie Connolly said the entirely new online exchange on the 1st of September that
will allow all irrigators direct access to the water market,
winter crop was also shaping up well in the Riverina, with
trading across the Murray Darling Basin.
many croppers reporting “one of their best starts in recent
memory”.
The H2OX exchange will increase transparency in the market
“After a hot, dry start to the year, farmers got the break in
by allowing all irrigators to see all bids/offers in the water
early May, which has been consolidated by the good falls in market as well as recent trade history, whilst dramatically
recent weeks,” he said.
lowering the cost of transacting to only 1% of the value of the
trade.
“With crops across the region now in on a full soil moisture
profile, producers are hopeful of an above-average crop but
much will depend on a reasonable spring.”
Mr Connolly said the weather forecasts were positive, with a
50 per cent chance of a La Niña developing during winter,
boding well for above-average rainfall in eastern Australia.
“Good winter rainfall will also bode well for water storage
levels, with higher allocations expected in the Murrumbidgee,
however significant inflows are still needed into the Murray,”
he said.
In the northern hemisphere, Mr Connolly said prospects of a
good harvest were overhanging the global grains market,
which remained “awash with wheat”.
“With there being little upside to wheat and barley prices this
season, unless there is a significant weather-related event,
Australian farmers will be relying on good yields to underpin
profit margins this year,” he said.
“As we move through winter and spring, farmers will be
looking to the skies and hoping weather forecasts eventuate,
as the potential is certainly sitting in the ground.”
To find out more about this report or other Rabobank
research contact Rabobank Griffith on 02 6969 7700.
H2OX are not a broker, but rather provide a market place for
irrigators to interact in a safe and efficient market free from
conflict of interest. H2OX have partnered with RGA to ensure
that their members can get the best possible access to the
water market, with the lowest fees possible, across the
Southern Basin.
RGA Central Executive
meeting
Deniliquin Mill, Deniliquin,
Thursday 21 July 2016
commencing at 10.00am
All branch alternates are invited to attend
this meeting as observers .
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
RGA DIARY RECAP
Some of what's been happening at RGA
RGA branch meetings
We had very good attendance at branch meetings in June,
the best in some years. Information from SunRice was an
added appeal and no doubt some wet weather helped too.
However, it is pleasing to be able to make direct contact
with members in this way. The format of branch meetings
will continue to be refined to ensure they are as appealing
as they can be.
Murray water messages
Between branch meetings RGA met with representatives
from Murray irrigation, Murray Private Diverters and
Southern Riverina Irrigators to discuss Basin Plan
advocacy. It was a very constructive meeting with broad
agreement on our shared policy priorities.
Emerging leaders course
The 2016 rice industry emerging leaders course
commenced at Yanco last month, and will wrap up in
Deniliquin on July 21. Andrew and Rachel welcomed a very
talented group of the region's emerging leaders and they
are now immersed in the experiential learning component
of the course.
02.06.2016—NFF commodity meeting
Andrew met with other NFF commodity member CEOs to
discuss NFF's progress on its national representation
model. The group is formulating a shared view about how
commodity groups should be incorporated into the model,
with an emphasis on the need for organisations like RGA to
be able to retain autonomy about the services we provide
benefits.
02.06.2016—DPI water review
DPI Water has engaged consultant Aither to canvass views
on how they can better communicate information on water
market issues, including water availability and trading
arrangements. Andrew met with the consultants to convey
RGA's views.
16.06.2016—New RIRDC Managing Director
RIRDC’s new Managing Director John Harvey visited Leeton
to meet with Andrew, Jeremy and Ian Mason. They spent
Wednesday evening getting him up to speed on the
industry’s R&D priorities and discussing implications of
RIRDC’s move to Wagga. On Thursday they provided John
with a tour of the mill, met with DPI’s rice breeding team and
then took him to RRAPL to see what happens there.
Northern R&D commitment
The Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce released the
Coalition’s package of agriculture policy commitments and it
included a big win for the rice industry. Among the
commitments he made was one to invest $4 million in R&D
into rice growing in the north, something RGA had been
discussing with Joyce’s office over recent months. This will
obviously benefit Queensland growers with better varieties
and agronomic advice, but will also assist Riverina rice
growers.
A sustainable industry in the north will help diversify our
production base and protect growers’ investment in industry
assets during production downturns. It will also generate a lot
of R&D relevant to the Riverina, particularly our efforts to
develop aerobically grown rice, and build important research
capacity for the industry. Great news and testament to the
importance of building strong relationships in Canberra.
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers
IN THE KNOW
Upcoming Events and Funding Opportunities
Monday 11 July, 9am – 12pm, Griffith Southside
Leagues Club – Driving productivity on your farm with
PA
Rice Extension is holding a forum for growers and service
providers wanting to know the practicalities and
possibilities of driving productivity by using precision
agriculture. Lunch and Morning tea provided. For catering.
RSVP to Leah Garnett from Rice Extension on
0455 558 035 or at [email protected]
Thursday 14 July, 9am, Berrigan Football Oval – Drone
Field Day
Southern Growers, together with Riverine Plains, are
holding the day to show guests how to use a drone as a
tool in their agricultural enterprises. This will include crop
monitoring, NDVI mapping, water monitoring, GPS pre-set
flight routes, laws for drone use and drone types. A free
lunch is being provided.
RSVP by 13th July to Stephanie Chappell on
0417 444 750 or at [email protected]
Rice Extension, RGA ECP and YACTAC are hosting the
2016-17 Water Outlook and Trade Update’s.
Topics will include:
-The irrigation outlook & how it is made, DPI Water
-Environmental water planning & trading rules,
Commonwealth Environment Water Office
-Irrigation update
-Water trading products: pros and cons, Jenny McLeod
Thursday 21 July 9am – 12pm, Griffith Southside
Leagues Club
RSVP by Monday 18th of July to Leah Garnett (Rice
Extension) on 0455 558 035 or [email protected]
Thursday 21 July 1.45pm - 4.45pm, Coleambally
Community Club
RSVP by Monday 18th of July to Leah Garnett (Rice
Extension) on 0455 558 035 or [email protected]
Friday 22 July 8.30am - 11.30am, Conargo Hall
RSVP by Monday 18th of July to Kate Stephan
(YACTAC) on 0437 452 256 or
[email protected]
Friday 22 July 1.30pm – 4.30pm, Barham Services Club
RSVP by Monday 18th July to Neil Bull (RGA ECP) on
0428 603 557 or [email protected]
Tuesday 26 July ,10am- 1pm, Deniliquin RSL – Family
Farm Business Management Day
RGA ECP is hosting an event for all farm business partners
to learn about participating in farm business decision making.
Speakers will be providing an overview of business
management, risk management and decision making
systems. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
RSVP by Monday 18th of July to Erika Heffer (RGA ECP)
on 0438 719 628 or [email protected]
Farm Innovation Fund
A package to assist primary producers identify and address
risks to their farming enterprise, improve permanent farm
infrastructure and ensure long-term productivity and
sustainable land use, aiding in meeting changes to seasonal
conditions.
Applicants should contact the Authority prior to lodging an
application. For more info: http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/
assistance/farm-innovation-fund
Farm Business Skills Professional Development
Program
As part of the NSW Government's $300 million Drought
Strategy, a $45 million Farm Business Skills Professional
Development Program has been developed to support farm
business in all conditions, but particularly in relation to
preparing for and responding to drought. For more info:
http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/professionaldevelopment-program
OEH Heritage Activation Grants
Funding will be available for projects designed to increase
public enjoyment of local heritage, such as physical works for
public access, public programming, strategy development
and business planning. CLOSES: 5:00 pm Monday 27 June
2016 FUNDING AVAILABLE: Up to $100,000
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Heritage/heritagenear-me-incentives.htm
Yanco Ave Leeton NSW 2705 T. 02 6953 0433 E. [email protected] www.rga.org.au
@ricegrowers