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 765 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 195 ­ – Rice R&D 2016 5 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 195 ­ – Rice R&D 2016 IREC Foreword THIS edition marks a momentous point in the history of the IREC Farmers’ Newsletter. This edition is the very first to be published in a digital format. The Farmers’ Newsletter has been a prominent publication for irrigators of the southern Murray–Darling Basin since the 1940s, keeping them up to date with new research and cutting-edge technology. IREC believes that going digital will open the Farmers’ Newsletter to a wider audience, particularly younger farmers. This complements IREC’s move to a range of digital information services, such as bimonthly email updates, YouTube clips, and podcasts; and it will enable greater interaction between IREC and irrigators through Twitter and Facebook. Supplying the Farmers’ Newsletter in digital format will enable the flow of real-time information, which will benefit all our members. IREC would appreciate your feedback on the new digital format and welcomes your thoughts and constructive critique. IREC has a long and proud history of working with rice industry and I am pleased that this relationship continues to this day. I find it fitting that our first digital edition of the Farmers’ Newsletter is also a special Rice R&D edition. I encourage you all visit the new IREC website and follow IREC on Twitter (IREC@IRECNSW) and Facebook (irecnsw), as this is a great way to stay in touch with relevant information. I hope you find this edition enjoyable reading. Rob Houghton Chairman, IREC Rice R&D Foreword WELCOME to this Rice R&D edition of the IREC Farmers’ Newsletter. Finally, it seems that the weather gods are smiling on us for a change. Seasonal conditions have improved dramatically over the last few months, dams are filling and water allocations are improving rapidly in the Murray and Murrumbidgee valleys. After several years of declining rice production, this season’s outlook is much brighter; an optimism that now needs to be turned into tonnes of rice. Maintaining an effective research, development and extension programme has been difficult over the past few years. Hopefully, the perseverance and efforts of everyone involved will bear rewards for all producers in the upcoming season. Serious decisions need to be made in the coming weeks and months: decisions on water availability and water use, decisions on varieties, methods of sowing and timing, and decisions on nutrient management and weed and pest control. SunRice has openly stated that we need to produce upwards of 900,000 tonnes of rice to maintain our premium quality markets. The forthcoming limited release of YRM70 and YRK5, two much shorter growing season varieties, offers new opportunities for later plantings based on later water availability. The new varieties also provide better flexibility for double cropping programmes and lower water use. There are more exciting improved varieties to follow in coming years. Many of the projects highlighted in this edition of the Farmers’ Newsletter focus on issues that should help producers lift productivity and profitability on farm. One of the major changes to rice RD&E in the past year has been the relocation of RIRDC from Canberra to Wagga Wagga, which has seen a loss of key personnel. The rice industry has taken a positive approach to these changes and hopefully the relocation to the Charles Sturt University campus and the recruitment of new staff will be completed soon. A fresh start gives us a chance to re-evaluate how and how much we should invest in RD&E. This coincides with the start of our new five-year plan with a re-emphasis on lifting water use efficiency, through many different approaches. I would like to thank all the researchers and extension staff, who have contributed to this edition of the Farmers’ Newsletter. Many of these people work in isolation of each other but it is publications like this and the annual Rice R&D workshop in August that pull all these parts together. A strong and vibrant rice industry is essential for the ongoing prosperity of our farms and our region. Hopefully, the information in this edition will help push us all to better outcomes. Ian Mason Chairman, RIRDC Rice R&D Committee