January 2025
Action Packed 2025!
We hope you found some time to relax over Christmas and have recharged the batteries for an action packed 2025.
We have a lot planned over the next couple of months and hope you can join us at some of our events- read on to find out what they are.
Reminder – IREC Tasmanian Trip
Reminder: RSVP for Tasmania Trip (Feb 18-20, 2025)
We’re thrilled to provide more details on the farms and operations we’ll be visiting – it’s going to be an incredible learning and connection experience with fun along the way!
A huge thanks to all involved in organizing this special trip, including Southern Farming Systems (SFS) Tassie and project partners
Some more important details:
- Limited spots available! Click here to book.
- IREC members enjoy discounts!
- Members: $650 per person
- Valued at over $1600 per person!
- Non-members: $990 per person
- Cost includes for 3 days, 3 nights: Twin share accommodation, continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, bus transportation, and all tours. Accommodation will be at Mercure Launceston.
- The cost does not include travel to and from Tasmania: Attendees will need to arrange and cover their own travel costs to and from Tasmania.
Carbon Farming March Workshops
Understanding Carbon in Agriculture with Dr. Cassandra Schefe
Farmers and industry are invited to a workshop on carbon in agriculture with renowned Soil Scientist, Dr. Cassandra Schefe from AgriSci. There are two workshops being held in March: one in Griffith and the other in Coleambally.
Another three sessions, including a workshop for agronomists and horticulturalists, will be held later in the year at various locations.
This workshop will explore the critical role carbon plays in agriculture, how emissions are managed and how farming can connect to the global story of carbon management plus more.
RSVP via the following link: https://bit.ly/4jlVCIq or email us at [email protected].
Cotton Layouts Farm Walk 4 February – Flexible Farming Systems Project
Come along on Tuesday 4 February at 9am to have a look at a new water saving trial in cotton.
In this trial cotton has been sown in a double skip row formation, where a furrow is created every 4 meters, with cotton planted only on each edge of the 4-meter bed. This setup uses half the area typically required and the trial aims to determine whether it can also reduce water usage by half.
IREC extends its thanks to Stott Farming for hosting these trials at their site, as well as to Hayden Thomson Agronomy for monitoring the trials. We also acknowledge the support of the Australian Government for funding these important trials.
RSVP here
Flaxleaf Fleabane Biocontrol Agent Trial at IREC Field Station
IREC is pleased to host a site for a new project being delivered by the CSIRO with funding from the GRDC.
The project will trial the rust fungus as a biocontrol agent for flaxleaf fleabane, complementing existing chemical and mechanical control tools. The focus will be to understand whether the fungus can establish and spread in the Australian environment and the different environmental conditions supporting its activity. For more information contact the CSIRO team at [email protected].
SOS Riverina Valleys AGM
SOS RV’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 30 January, 1pm-2.30pm. It would be great if you could attend in person in the Barrenbox Room at Murrumbidgee Irrigation or over zoom. Recently there have been reported spray drift in surrounding areas, so continued support of SOS RV is vital.
If you have crops that get drifted please notify Cotton Australia by using their Snap Send Solve App.
If you want to report an incident to EPA call 131 555. Read this EPA factsheet to understand the reporting process.
Mapping your crops on SataCrop also helps reduce off-target spray damage incidents and it’s not too late to do so.
SataCrop – https://satacrop.com.au. To gain access to the SataCrop to add your fields, email [email protected] and provide the following details and PCT-agcloud will respond with login details. A short video to show you how to use SataCrop and add your fields is available at: SataCrop Video How to add a field
To join the SOS Riverina Valleys AGM via zoom click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82038454901?pwd=5FEUmtwCwdnezqjjzLPFGQrSF3SQLy.1
Meeting ID – 820 3845 4901 Passcode – 713086. Please do NOT share the link on your socials.
RSVP to Sarah here
WAND
The #WAND inversion alert system is a game changer in understanding hazardous inversion conditions to manage the risk of spray drift. What we have learned from #WAND is that hazardous inversions can occur at any time, night or day.
The rule of thumb of not spraying at night and spraying from 1 hour after sunrise to noon to avoid inversion conditions is now not strictly correct. Using a tool like WAND can actually gain you extra spray windows throughout a day and night. This means, less time waiting and more time spraying. To learn more about the WAND network, watch this video.
GRDC Grains Research Update – Wagga Wagga
The GRDC Grains Research Update – Wagga Wagga will take place on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 February 2025. Attendees will have the opportunity to stay up-to-date on the latest grains research, exchange ideas, and reconnect with colleagues.
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
9:00 am registration, 10:00 am start, finishes by 5:20 pm
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
7:30–8:20 am early risers session
8:30 am start, finishes by 2:40 pm
Convention Centre, Charles Sturt University, Pine Gully Rd, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650
Register here
Meter Installation and Validation Training Course
Ready to elevate your career and master in-demand skills? Join one of Irrigation Australia’s Meter Installation & Validation intakes being held 4-6 February in Griffith.
If you’re looking to specialise in rural water meter installations and validations, this course is for you! Gain a nationally recognised certification and advance your career with in-demand skills in compliance with Australian Standard AS4747.
Click here for flyer or visit website here.
Upcoming Chemical Accreditation Training Dates SpraySmart
| Location | Date |
| Griffith | Tuesday, 4 February 2025 |
| Hillston | Wednesday, 5 February 2025 |
| Tumut | Tuesday, 11 February 2025 |
| Wagga Wagga | Wednesday, 12 February 2025 |
| Albury | Tuesday, 18 February 2025 |
| Griffith | Tuesday, 4 March 2025 |
For more information visit online at www.spraysmart.com.au or contact
Bernadette Crouch – Company Director | 0429 954 196
SpraySMART Pty Ltd | RTO 40867
ABN 76 162 043 825
[email protected]
Phone | 02 6895 2102
Freecall | 1800 872 462