Riverine Plains AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship is open for applications until 10 January. More information on how to apply! 

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PROGRAMS

Connecting and creating opportunities for young people, women in rural communities and business managers to grow their skills.

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OUR PROGRAMS are HELPing PEOPLE ACROSS the region

Riverine Plains delivers a variety of programs that aim to increase opportunities for people involved in farming, or who are in the early stages of their agricultural careers. Our suite of programs sits separately to our traditional production-based projects, with each having a well-defined people or business focus.

Riverine Plains’ programs aim to bring people together in a way that supports strong and connected communities. Peer and mentor networks are incredibly important in agriculture, and our program events are designed to help people meet, explore new ideas, and come up with solutions to real-world problems.

For example, finding good staff can be difficult given the seasonal nature of work on the farm and the distance from major centres. Our programs aim to help local faming businesses attract and retain skilled staff to support their production and business needs, through practical training in safety and people management, communication and business processes. 

Managing farm businesses efficiently, professionally and sustainably requires farm owners and managers to be across many areas of administration, governance and finance. Our programs are specifically designed to support awareness of farm risk and risk mitigation strategies, as well as access to current and future local and global markets.


Program highlights

  • The 2024 Youth in Ag: Graze Dinner, at which Nikki Davey from Grown not Flown, and Callan Daley, a young professional in the beef industry, shared their experiences with 90 young people from across the region. 
  • The 2023 Ladies Lunch, hosted guest speakers Sally Sara, renowned journalist, author, and Order of Australia Medal recipient and Shona Gawel, CEO of GrainGrowers Limited, who shared some of their inspiring personal and professional experiences.

Youth in Ag

Riverine Plains is empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders. Learn how our Youth in Ag Program is benefitting young people in agriculture, through our program of events, scholarships and student membership. 

Youth in Ag - Feature-1

Ladies Lunch

Riverine Plains celebrates International Rural Women’s Day over a gourmet lunch. Learn how this event connects and inspires rural women, with influential speakers sharing their stories and experiences of rural communities.

Ladies Lunch - Feature

Better Business

Riverine Plains is committed to building capacity in our farming community. The Better Business program is building skills for farm business managers across the vital areas of the financial, governance and human resource management. 

Better Business - Feature

OUR PROJECTS

Our research and extension projects are providing solutions to complex agricultural issues, to help farmers solve their practical and business challenges.

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  • This project is part of the National Industry-Led Carbon Farming Outreach Program which is supporting farmers and land managers to reduce emissions and explore carbon farming opportunities.

  • This project supports NSW farmers in the Riverine Plains to explore their soil carbon potential and showcases eligible land management practices best suited for potential soil carbon projects.

  • This project will help Australian farmers identify and ameliorate constrained soils, helping to improve soil health and productivity.

  • Good seasons, stubble retention and tight cereal rotations have favoured a build-up of Fusarium crown rot in the Riverine Plains. Crown rot can cause significant yield loss, and we are investigating the potential link between it, subsurface acidity and different stubble management techniques.

  • This project aims to develop a computer-based technology to help farmers find tailored solutions when managing multiple soil constraints like sodicity, acidity, and salinity. The aim is to increase productivity and profitability using precise, data-driven strategies.

  • This project is identifying ways to build resilient soils and enhance carbon stocks in cropping systems, using a range of species in cover cropping and companion crop plantings.

  • This project is increasing the knowledge and understanding of local soils, helping researchers to develop ideas to improve the sustainability of farms in the Riverine Plains.

  • The project will assist farmers in improving water and resource use in crops grown on soils with constraints.

  • This project aims to show how farmers can use legumes, early sowing and nitrogen banking to safeguard the natural capital of soils for environmental and economic sustainability.

  • This project is connecting soil scientists, farmers and the finance sector to review the benefits, costs and uncertainties related to different soil stewardship practices, as well as the available returns from different markets and sources.

WHAT’S ON

Discover our upcoming events – from webinars and seminars to workshops and field days.

NEWS

Discover unique perspectives on agriculture from across the Riverine Plains.

Managing cash flow in 2025
Riverine Plains Agrifutures Horizon Scholarship
Summer weed control
Identifying & ameliorating subsurface acidity
Issues that arise with rain during harvest
Trial book mini - diverse rotations & early sowing strategies
Pasture quality & stock water in focus at Field Day
5 simple tips for your mental health
Assessing frost damage & making decisions on hay vs grain
Rainfall and soil moisture update, September 2024