26 July 2019

Word Count: 504

Riverine Plains Inc In-season Update

Local farming systems group Riverine Plains Inc will host its annual In-season Update at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort on Thursday 8 August, 2019.

“The In-season Update is an important event on our calendar and provides an opportunity for grain growers to consider the issues likely to affect grain crops this spring” explained Fiona Hart, Riverine Plains Inc Executive Officer.

“With grain growers experiencing very different conditions across the region in terms of moisture availability, the spring rainfall outlook will inform key decisions around pest and disease management as well as crop nutrition” said Fiona.

This all-important spring outlook will be delivered by Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Variability Agronomist, Dale Grey who, in a first for the In-season Update, will speak via videolink.

Riverine Plains Inc Project Officer, Jane McInnes, will also provide a snapshot of current soil moisture availability, using data from the Riverine Plains weather station network, to help understand how much water is currently being held across the region’s soils.

Spring and the run-up to harvest is also a critical time to consider broader farming strategies.

“Weed management is a perennial issue and James Manson from Southern Farming Systems will discuss the long-term economics and impact of harvest weed seed control techniques using results from a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) project involving Riverine Plains Inc” said Fiona.

Nick Ennis from Lawson Grains will also discuss the application of precision agriculture technologies for targeted soil amelioration.

Earlier this year, Riverine Plains Research Coordinator, Dr Cassandra Schefe, was presented with the prestigious GRDC 2019 Southern Region Recognising and Rewarding Excellence Award, through which she visited Canada and the United States. Her observations on cover cropping, soil research, regenerative agriculture as well as pulse research and development will provide a global perspective on these topics.

A joint presentation by Dr Cassandra Schefe and Jane McInnes will also provide an update of Riverine Plains Inc current local research program, while Riverine Plains Inc Project Officer Kate Coffey will review the economic results from a GRDC project looking at applying sulphur to canola crops in southern NSW.

The In-season Update will be held at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort in Golf Club Road Mulwala on Thursday 8 August from 9am to 1pm, with registrations open from 8.30am.

After lunch a Soil Health Workshop will take place from 1.30pm – 3.30pm.  Farmers are invited to discuss the importance of soil health as well as how to improve the local relevance of soil improvement research.

For catering purposes, pre-registrations for the In-Season Update must be received by 5 August 2018. Cost is $25 for Riverine Plains Inc members and $35 for non-members (payable online or on the day) and includes morning tea and lunch. To register, contact Fiona Hart at info@riverineplains.org.au or phone 03 5744 1713.

Riverine Plains Inc is an independent farming systems group specialising in farmer driven research and extension across north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales. For more information, or to become a member, please visit www.riverineplains.org.au

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More Information or Interview:

Fiona Hart, Executive Officer, Riverine Plains Inc (03 5744 1713)