Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 7642 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 195 ­ – Rice R&D 2016 Siva Sivapalan Development Officer, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, Kununurra T HE Australian rice industry, which is based predominantly in southern New South Wales, is looking for opportunities to produce quality rice in northern Australia. In northern Australia, local industry groups are keen to establish a commercially viable rice industry to provide speciality rices for niche markets. Despite keen interest, there is a lack of information about tropical rice growing in Australia on which to base sound decisions when starting a new enterprise. Rice has been grown in the region previously but many issues regarding suitable varieties, planting date, establishment technique, sowing rate, and fertiliser and irrigation requirements remained unresolved. Key findings The project Agronomic options for profitable rice-based farming system in northern Australia, which ran from 2012 to 2015, carried out a series of experiments evaluating the best agronomic options for a profitable rice-based farming system in the tropical north of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The field work was necessary to gain information in order to establish a viable industry based on high quality exportable produce and production systems that are efficient, environmentally sustainable and responsive to market needs. The results of this project will provide information about growing rice in Australia’s north by: l  demonstrating the most appropriate production system l  determining the most suitable varieties l  ensuring that grain quality standards are maintained in different climate regions. Suitable soils, warm climate and availability of water make the Ord River Irrigation Area and parts of the Northern Territory ideal for growing rice. QUICK TAKE l  Several rice varieties suitable for aerobic and flooded production in northern Australia have been identified. l  Varietal performance for grain yield and quality under critical environmental factors, such as cold, heat, water stress and blast disease, have been assessed. l  The research will provide basic information for the introduction of new varieties to northern Australia targeting the domestic and international markets. l  The research will also help growers in the region to adopt best practice for both economic and environmental sustainability of rice production systems in northern Australia. l Growers in northern Australia are keen to establish a commercially viable rice industry to provide speciality rices for niche markets. PROFITABLE RICE FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA