Riverina rice growers set new records

Rice growers in the Murrumbidgee have set a new yield benchmark of 16.85 tonnes/ha, with outstanding yields reported across the board.

A mix of record yields and prices of $370 to $430 a tonne bodes well for Australia’s rice growers this season.

Two crops in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area have surpassed previous yield records of 16.2 tonnes/ha to return to new highs of 16.85 tonnes/ha and 16.3 tonnes/ha, respectively.

The standout crops are not the exception, with growers saying there have been outstanding yields across the board.

SunRice director and chairman of grower services Julian Zanatta said the harvest of the 50,000ha crop in southern NSW and Victoria was about 95 per cent complete.

Andrew and Leanne Cameron of Willbriggie grew the record-breaking crop, and the second crop, which yielded 16.3 tonnes/ha, was located at Yenda, also in the MIA. Yields of about 13 tonnes/ha for rice are typically considered good.

Overall yields were tipped to be four to five per cent above the average in the Murrumbidgee.

Mr Cameron, who has been growing rice for 39 years, said the variety V071 was known for having high-yield potential, and that certainly came through this year.

“It’s exciting and I’m proud of the result,” he said.

This year, he grew 104ha of rice. The paddock with the record crop was 42ha and had an average yield of 16.25 tonnes/ha.

“Normally, if we get 14.5 tonnes/ha to 14 tonnes/ha, I’m happy,” he said.

Jeremy Morton of Moulamein in southern NSW.

Southern NSW grower Jeremy Morton from Moulamein said despite the rough start to the season, things had turned around positively for rice.

“Pressure from ducks made it challenging early on, but the season came home fairly well for a great finish,” he said.

He said the high yields were undoubtedly good news, but in his area, there had been a “mixed bag” overall in terms of production and outcomes.

Mr Morton said the price estimate was sitting at $370 to $430 a tonne.

“I’ve never met a grower who says they got paid too much for anything, but it is a good solid price,” he said. The overall price range is down from $390 a tonne to $450 a tonne from the previous crop.

Agronomist John Lacy from Finley said farmers in his area reported yields of 13-14 tonnes/ha.

“An average for here would be around 11 tonnes/ha,” he said.

“Overall, it has been a good season for rice, and there was access to water for growers,” he said.