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Mayrung Public School sits at the heart of its community’s farming sector. On either side of the school are irrigation paddocks, and directly across the road is a dairy farm.
Thefarmers from those properties are doing what they can to ensure the youngsters are educated about what’s going on around them.
The Paddock to Plate program was started by the school’s neighbouring rice farmer, Stephen Ball.
After a forced break during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has been re-launched.
While it was developed specifcally to cover rice production, Mr Ball said other farming practices have been - and will continue to be - explored as part of the program in future years.
He also hopes the program they’ve developed at Mayrung can be rolled out as a formal education campaign supported by the rice industry and introduced into more schools.
“I’m a member of the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia’s central executive, and I am certainly pushing for the industry to get that education out there into schools more.
There’s no dedicated, industry-supported rice education program, but it’s something the cotton industry
does very well. The cotton program is privately funded and is delivered at all levels, from preschool to university. I would like to see us (the rice industry) working toward the same.”
Mr Ball said starting with the primary rice-growing regions in the Murray and Murrumbidgee would be a good frst step. However, as rice is a staple food around the world, he would like to see rice education delivered more broadly in the future.
Mr Ball initiated the project in 2022, with local primary school students in the Edward River Council region specifcally learning about the Koshihikari variety of rice, which the Ball family grows in a paddock only 500m from Mayrung School’s boundary.
Koshihikari, or Koshi as it’s commonly known, is primarily exported to Japan, where it is predominantly used for sushi.
“It’s an opportunity for the kids to learn about where their food comes from,” Mr Ball said.
“They’ll either visit my farm or another nearby rice farm, and with luck, at least one of us will be harvesting when the program takes place.
“Another neighbour, Bruce Moore, has also been involved, which means the kids learn about rice and corn.
“They’ve also visited Ian Litchfeld’s dairy farm across the road from the school, and we’re always looking at what other crops nearby we can show them too.
“SunRice sponsors the day, providing some of their rice snacks for the kids to enjoy and paying for the bus to take the students.”
Mr Ball said the children also hear from people who work within the industry, supporting rice farmers.
This year, that included representatives from SunRice, Rice Extension, Murray Irrigation, and Nutrien Ag Solutions.
Michael Pisasale from Murray Irrigation Limited spoke about the important role water plays in the rice-growing cycle, while Mark Groat from SunRice’s grower services gave an informative talk on the different varieties.
Riley Hamilton from Nutrien Ag Solutions then took the students into the paddock for a closer look at the physical rice-growing process, demonstrating how the plant thrives in the natural environment.
Have you noticed some of your sheep missing recently? Or received a call from a neighbour, saying they have some of your sheep over at their property?
Sheep are great at fnding a hole in the fence, an open gate or some can even jump the fence. They might have just decided the “grass is greener” or they can have more fun with next door’s ewes.
Before bringing home any sheep that have strayed from your property, have you considered any risks that they may pose to your on-farm biosecurity?
Some biosecurity risks you might like to consider for all sheep include lice, internal parasites, footrot, or other infectious diseases, as well as the transfer of weed seeds. With stray rams, you should also consider the risk of ovine brucellosis.
Consulting your on-farm biosecurity plan may help you in the management of these risks once the sheep have returned home.
For example, you might consider:
• inspecting the sheep for signs of footrot, lice, and other signs of disease;
• administering any quarantine drenches and/or treatments, and allowing them to empty out for 24 hours in the yards or a small paddock; and
• isolating the stray sheep for as long as practical, prior to returning to the mob.
The best step you can take to prevent your stock from straying is regularly checking your fences and making repairs as soon as possible.
Ensuring there is adequate pasture and/or supplementary feed will, hopefully, also encourage your stock to stay where they are supposed to.
If you would like to discuss your on-farm biosecurity plan and stray stock, please contact your nearest Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.
Research shows there are many benefts for children when they listen to, and create, music. It helps with overall wellbeing, and specifcally assists with numeracy, literacy and emotional skills.
As such, it is not surprising that a ‘Mini Musicians’ program introduced by the South West Music Regional Conservatorium (SWM) has proved extremely popular, and continues to grow.
The program started in Deniliquin and, due to its success, has since expanded into Finley and Barooga.
It has received a boost with more than $2,000 in funding from the Murray Irrigation Ltd Community Sponsorship program.
SWM applied for the funding because it needed new equipment and instruments to enhance the musical experience for participating families.
“These additions to Mini Musicians are helping us provide an improved musical experience for the many youngsters who are enjoying the program,” explained SWM General Manager, Michael Bakrnčev.
Incorporating music into routines and play in the early years has a proven positive infuence on a child’s early development, helping to get them moving, thinking and inspiring creativity.
“But most importantly, music is fun,” Michael said.
“If your child is having fun, they are more open to learning.”
The SWM Mini Musicians program started in 2023 and, before long, more than 70 local families had registered.
This has continued to grow, with numbers now exceeding 120.
“We create regular opportunities that bring together young children, providing social interaction and exposing them to music, movement, rhythm and education,” Michael said.
“Parents and carers are given the opportunity to socially connect with other community members who may be disadvantaged through rural isolation.
“By creating a safe, inviting and inclusive environment, we are encouraging positive mental health and wellbeing.
“The program provides local opportunity and brings people together to make the region a great place to live and raise families.”
Michael said Mini Musicians helps make the community more viable and vibrant for young families.
Mini Musicians currently operates in Deniliquin, Finley and Barooga, with youngsters enjoying their singing and instruments, which includes castanets, tambourines, maracas, guiro and sticks.
The program promotes social skills for both children and their families, helps children develop emotional
That was the question Coleambally cotton producer
Joe Briggs set out to discover earlier this year.
As part of a Cotton Australia campaign, Mr Briggs took to the streets of Sydney’s bustling CBD.
Armed with a sign reading ‘Ask an Aussie Cotton Farmer’, he started conversations with commuters to fnd out what they knew about cotton.
With his laid-back nature, Mr Briggs quickly put people at ease, turning casual chats into a chance to share what really happens on cotton farms.
One of the most common questions was about water use, and Mr Briggs was happy to set the record straight.
“Aussie cotton uses 52 per cent less water than it used to, and we’re some of the most water-effcient cotton growers in the world,” he told them.
For Mr Briggs, the experience was a chance to have open, no-nonsense conversations about modern cotton farming.
“Cotton Australia came up with the idea, as a way of getting some messaging out there; to educate people that things have changed (in cotton farming).
“I got involved simply to do my bit for the industry.
“We also wanted to just generally educate people about the industry, and some people I spoke to were genuinely surprised cotton was even grown in Australia.”
Mr Briggs said he’s had similar conversations with people when attending the Sydney Show each year, but he said “to go rogue on the streets of Sydney was a little different”.
“Education from the industry is one thing, but for it to come from the heart of our farming community makes a bit more of a difference.
“All the videos we made have now had more than one million views, so I think we are hoping to do more.”
Australia’s cotton is primarily grown in NSW and Queensland, with about 90 per cent produced on family farms.
Australia’s cotton industry is considered one of the most water effcient cotton industries in the world, employing more than 7000 people and generates more than $3 billion per year in export earnings.
In an average year, Australia’s cotton growers produce enough cotton to clothe 500 million people, and major buyers of Australian cotton are currently Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Turkey and Thailand.
Mr Briggs and his father Greg transitioned away from rice production to cotton about nine years ago.
“I am a ffth generation irrigator, with my family farming on the Murrumbidgee for 110 years this year.
“We were traditionally rice, wheat and sheep, but we now haven’t grown rice since 2016.
“Moving to cotton was about keeping up with the times when there was uncertainty in rice, and the gross margin of cotton was also appealing.”
Mr Briggs said it has been a “wild ride”.
“Two years ago we produced 5.3 bales of cotton (per hectare) due to the cold and wet, and just when we thought we’d lose it all last year we got 13.3 bales.
“This season looks like it will be in the high 14s.”
The Briggs’ sow 300 hectares of rice on their Coleambally property each year.
You can watch some of the videos produced by Cotton Australia and Mr Briggs at www.instagram.com/p/ DHWvxW6zsud/?img_index=1 or https://www.instagram. com/reel/DINF-ZsTm6-/?igsh=anVzc3FmZG1iem1k.
The Riverina’s agricultural landscape is evolving, which presents great opportunities. There are two prime examples in the Deniliquin district.
Waringahis a key player in the approved Yanco Delta renewable project, with 10 wind turbines being built on the property in partnership with a major energy company.
This will provide a signifcant and new passive income stream, alongside strong agricultural returns.
Grid connectivity is secured, and construction is imminent.
Wonga Station offers a parallel opportunity, excelling in agriculture while also possessing ideal attributes for renewable energy offsets and showcasing exceptional native fora and fauna.
This makes it a potential powerhouse in the renewable energy space, as well as a strong candidate for nature conservation and carbon offset investments.
Currently, Wonga stands out as one of the best-covered properties in the region.
Secure your stake in this dynamic future.
Waringah is for sale by negotiation, and Wonga Station is offered via expressions of interest closing May 23, 2025.
Call Nutrien Harcourts today 03 5881 1777 for immediate inspection, details and to discuss these unique income-generating opportunities.
Contributed by James Sides, Nutrien Harcourts real estate manager
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• Get in touch and give us a tip of a great story idea.
• Contribute an article: If you are an expert in your feld then contributing once of, or regularly, is a great way to get started in our FARMtalk magazine. Contact Zoe McMaugh at farmtalk@ denipt.com.au or 03 5881 2322.
• Become an author: FARMtalk is open to occasional contributors who are experts in their feld or authorities on a subject or area. Once you have contributed an article, and the editorial team have approved you, we can set you up with a regular column to contribute. We would love to hear from you. Contact Zoe McMaugh at farmtalk@ denipt.com.au or 03 5881 2322.
• Have a fascinating farm in mind for us to showcase? Tell us! We would love to hear from you. Contact Zoe McMaugh at farmtalk@ denipt.com.au or 03 5881 2322.
A deal which would have seen a collection of historic local properties sold for $780 million has collapsed.
InSeptember 2023, Australian Food & Agriculture Co (AFA) advertised the sale of 13 farms, covering more than 225,405 hectares.
The sale consists of three major freehold title land aggregations within the Deniliquin, Hay and Coonamble districts including Boonoke, Burrabogie, Wanganella and Wingadee stations.
AFA agreed to terms last year with Agriculture and Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation (ANSAC) with a sale price believed to be $780 million.
ANSAC is a group of investors, including Bert Glover, founder of the Australian and US-owned specialist agricultural investment and development frm Impact Ag Partners, which has offces in Armidale in NSW and Montana in the US.
In a document released to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, ANSAC announced the “termination” of the agreement by “mutual consent”.
In its own company report, released in March, ANSAC made reference to issues plaguing the deal.
“The parties are currently discussing the best path forward for the business combination in light of the increasingly volatile equity market conditions, including potentially mutually terminating the business combination agreement,” the report said.
The document also hinted at tariffs and trade barriers and the potential for further deterioration of trade relations between Australia and the US, despite the Australian Government giving approval to the foreign sale in late 2024.
Bell Potter associate director corporate fnance Henry Thomas confrmed another buyer would be sought. While the preference it to sell the properties together, individual sales may also be considered.
