Facilitated Action Learning Groups to support profitable irrigated farming

The Riverine Plains Irrigation Discussion Group has been formed as part of a project led by the Irrigated Cropping Council which aims to link new and innovative research investments by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) with local farmer-driven groups.

GRDC have invested in a suite of irrigation research projects across the southern irrigation zones, including projects looking to develop and validate soil amelioration and agronomic practices for irrigated grain crops as well as maximising the dollar return per megalitre of water

To tie these research projects more closely with farmer needs, farmer-driven irrigation discussion groups have been established across the southern region to enable farmers to be more actively involved in the irrigated grains research process

The Riverine Plains Irrigation Discussion Group has been established to help farmers learn from one-another, build new peer and industry networks, gain access to the latest research data and provide the opportunity to shape project trial work to ensure it is relevant and meeting local needs

The discussion group also provides an opportunity for farmers to experiment with new techniques, research methods or develop an idea through local focus paddock trials on a local property.

The irrigation discussion group meets four times each year to discuss agronomy and soil trials in the region and the implications of the research results at a local level. This feedback will ensure research delivered is relevant to farmers and farming businesses.

For more information, or to register your interest, please contact Kate Coffey, Riverine Plains Inc by emailing kate@riverineplains.org.au or phone 03 5744 1713.

The Irrigated Cropping Council and project collaborators including the Irrigation Research & Extension Committee, Southern Growers, Southern Farming Systems, the Maize Association of Australia and MacKillop Farm Management Group also facilitate discussion groups.

A final report has been produced as part of this project, which was published in Research for the Riverine Plains, 2022; 2022 RP TB (Irrigation Discussion Farm Focus trials)