Extension for improving rice yields and water use efficiently 2004-2007

This reports aims to increase yields and water use efficiency by 5% by improving adoption of better farm practices for each of the four irrigation valleys: Eastern Murray Valley (EMV), Western Murray Valley (WMV), Coleambally Irrigation Area (CIA) and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA). It focused on the improvement of the adoption of the poorest adopted ‘checks’ in the RiceCheck program. These were establishment, nitrogen uptake and microspore water depth. Specifically the adoption targets were to improve adoption of the early pollen microspore water depth check by 20%, rice establishment plant number check by 20%, nitrogen uptake check at panicle initiation (PI) by 20% and improve crop uniformity using aerial imagery. Another objective was to assist with achievement of targets in the Environmental Champions Program (ECP). The project continued to promote the Ricecheck package and new technologies at a crop and farming system level.