The 54,000 paddy tonnes of rice harvested represents less than 10 per cent of the 2018 crop of 623,000. And of the 54,000 tonne delivered this season, only 25.7 per cent came from the NSW Murray Valley.
It is a result of zero general security water allocation for NSW Murray farmers.
Offering slight relief was great results in yield from the far smaller crop sizes.
SunRice general manager global agribusiness and sustainability Tom Howard said despite water-related challenges and seasonal conditions fluctuating from extreme heat to the occasional cold snap, Riverina growers have once again shown their resilience and expertise.
‘‘Given the difficult conditions, we’re appreciative of those who grew rice this year and thank them for their ongoing support of the industry.
‘‘Overall yields were above the five-year average, with a grower in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area achieving a standout 15.4 tonnes per hectare for a medium grain Reiziq crop — 30 per cent above the region’s five-year average of 11.8 tonnes per hectare.
‘‘This season also saw the best Doongara (Low GI) yield recorded. Grown in the MIA (by Willbriggie farmer Robert Andreazza), the crop yielded 14 tonnes per hectare, far outstripping the region’s five-year average of 11.3 tonnes per hectare.
‘‘Both these crops were drill sown, a technique that is growing in popularity and was used across 70 per cent of the area grown to rice this year. A combination of improved irrigation layouts, machinery technology and available weed control options ensured drill sowing has delivered top yields with decreased water use.’’
Yet again highlighting Australian rice growers’ reputation as the world’s most water efficient, the high yielding Reiziq crop was grown using 12.4 megalitres of water per hectare and the Doongara crop used 11.6 megalitres of water per hectare, with both crops exceeding the targeted industry benchmark of one tonne/megalitre of water.
SunRice said there were once again exceptional results achieved on a gross return per megalitre and hectare.
The Reiziq crop generated an estimated gross profit margin of $6270 per hectare (or $505 per megalitre of water used) and the Doongara crop delivered an estimated $6270/ha (or $539/ML).
Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia president and Moulamein grower Jeremy Morton said the harvest numbers are really significant for local and farming communities.
‘‘You can’t have a 90 per cent reduction in your income without having a significant impact both for the grower and the community,’’ he said.
‘‘It is a concerning outlook but what we do know from past experience is things can turn around very quickly.
‘‘If it turns wet, we get rain that fills the dams and good water allocation; farmers will respond very quickly and plant a crop.
‘‘We remain optimistic that things will improve and we will get to plant a crop (next season).’’
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