HUNDREDS of rice growers, researchers and agribusiness representatives will meet at the Yanco Agricultural Institute next Thursday for the annual rice industry field day. NSW Department of Primary Industries southern cropping director, Deb Slinger, said the event will showcase results from the Australian Rice Partnership, which links NSW DPI, SunRice and AgriFutures Australia.
“Results for current rice varieties from 14 DPI experiments in the Murrumbidgee and Murray Valleys investigating water, nitrogen and agronomic management, are highlights of the field day,” Ms Slinger said.
“NSW DPI researchers are helping to fine-tune agronomic practices which deliver water savings and can increase gross margins by up to 59 per cent. A combination of direct drill sowing and delayed permanent water can save growers up to 4.5 megalitres per hectare compared with aerial sowing and traditional rice irrigation,” she said.
The field day is on from 9.30am until 1.30pm, with complimentary lunch.