Summary

The project aims to provide technical assistance to the DPI rice extension/research team in promoting best management in rice farming systems to maximise productivity in the C2013 season.
The project supports the rice team extension model based on regular contact with growers/advisors through pre season meetings, in crop discussion groups and major field days to provide the latest rice information. The use of new media technology to get key messages to growers and advisors will be trialled in this project.
The project has main outputs that will provide valuable tools for growers to increase returns from rice production. These include the reinstatement of the Rice for profit course, feedback to growers from Ricecheck records and the development of a central rice information website.
The position also has a wide range of other tasks to perform to assist good information flow to ricegrowers, advisors and industry stakeholders. These include data collection and analysis, preparation of extension material e.g. posters, fact sheets for discussion groups and field days, contribution to the updating of publications and manage distribution of flagship publications, assist in on farm demonstrations and discussion groups and presentations to overseas and local visitor groups.

Program

Rice

Research Organisation

The Crown in right of the State of NSW acting through the Department of Primary Industries

Objective Summary

• To increase rice yields and water productivity by 2% in C2013.
• To improve rice profitability and sustainability by supporting programs linked to improving yield and water productivity to increase adoption. e.g increased accuracy of tissue test sampling, best practice in drill sown rice, and variable rate application of base fertiliser to reduce spatial variability.
• Increased exposure to best management through a wider range of extension activities and mediums to suit the learning needs of a wider range of farmers and stakeholders e.g. media articles discussion groups, rice for profit course, rice website development.