GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION
NSW Department of Industry - Water have announced 0% allocation for October in the Gwydir Valley. With Copeton Dam at 20% and falling with current deliveries, inflows greater than 27,000ML are required prior to any allocations to be made due to shortfalls in targeted water supplies. The full resource assessment is available via the water availability and allocations hub here.
The NSW Government is holding public consultation sessions for the Gwydir Surface Water Resource Plan, which includes all regulated and unregulated water sources in the Gwydir Valley. The Water Resource Plans are a package of documents included Water Sharing Plans, Long-term Environmental Watering Plans and cultural values for example. The package can be viewed at the Department of Industry - Water website and consultation sessions are in Bingara 31 October and Moree 1 November 2018. The GVIA will be attending but members are also encouraged to ensure direct feedback on individual Water Sharing Plan or other water management issues can be tabled.
Water releases under the bulk water release strategy continue with approximately 750 ML/day being released from Copeton Dam. Current water availability sees 41,000ML for General Security irrigation use with orders in the system now and 113,000ML for environmental purposes. Essential supply forecasts and delivery loss accounts remain 23,800ML below target and hence, inflows will be required prior to a new resource assessment being made available. For detailed resource assessment see the NSW Department of Industry - Water website and for Water Availability reports and dam releases visit WaterNSW.
The NSW Government are seeking feedback on new draft metering framework released on 27th August 2018. The GVIA's current position on water take measurement is available on our water policy section and we've provided a quick decision tree to support you in understanding what may be required of you, as entitlement holders under the draft framework. Members can access for detailed advice in the member section of the website. Comments on the framework are due to the NSW Government by 30th September 2018 via the online portal.
Young agricultural innovators from across the Parkes electorate are being invited to submit their research project ideas for a chance to share in up to $286,000 in funding through the 2019 Science and Innovation Awards.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said there is an abundance of initiative among young scientists, innovators and researchers in his electorate. “Many of the best new ideas I’ve seen come directly from passionate young people already working in agricultural industries,” Mr Coulton said.
Each winner from the 13 industry award categories will receive a grant of up to $22,000, which could go a long way in making these ideas a reality and helping to advance prosperous careers in agriculture.
The NSW Environment Minister, Gabrielle Upton on Sunday announced the upcoming trade of excess environmental allocation in the Gwydir Valley, amongst others in NSW. We welcome this opportunity to provide genuine win-win for our local community and others during this dry time.
The NSW and Federal Governments have expanded their drought assistance packages with 100% of the state declared in drought. One component of this is the automatic waiver of Local Land Services rates and fixed charges for general security and supplementary water licence holders, which are capped at $4,000. To make the most of these waivers, available to everyone please visit your nearest town and spend those savings in a shop or business, to pass on that benefit to others.
This week Rabobank are hosting farmers from Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria in northern NSW and Southern Qld. It was a wonderful opportunity to show farmers innovation in irrigation as demonstrated at Keytah where Sundown Pastoral Company, CRDC, the Federal Government and the GVIA have been conducting trials on irrigation efficiency for the last 10 years.
Pump and Irrigation Specialist Ryan Hunt is one of scores of skilled youth who will continue to advance the rural sector into the future. He is just one of the scores of youth returning to rural Australia, keen to forge a meaningful career, without having compromising on lifestyle.
The Join the Ag Revolution Campaign has only been possible with the support of local business. To each and everyone of you a big Thank You from the GVIA.
We have launched in the last week and yesterday released the first of our videos. Which can be found on our webpage or on the Join the Ag Revolution facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/jointheagrevolution/
We are really happy to have launched the first of a series of videos on Innovation and Opportunities in Australian Agriculture. This is an industry predicted to be worth $100 billion in the comming years, but to get there we will need people. There are so many career opportunites now and there will be more in the future. If you are interested in resource management, robotics or irrigation, then agriculture is the industry for you.
Join the AG Revolution is a community of people who are proud to be a part of Australian agriculture visit our webpage or Facebook page to keep up to date with whats happening in ag, #jointheagrevolution
Australian Agriculture is on the cusp of a revolution, with renewed enthusiasm fuelling a transformation. Precision ag, increased production capabilities, water savinginnovations are all reflective of an industry brimming with opportunity.
The Department of Industry - Water announced starting allocations for the 2018-19 water year on 1 July 2018. Essential supplies for town water, stock and domestic and high security users all received 100% allocations for all plans. Groundwater, alluvial and unregulated users also received 100% allocation with alluvial and unregulated access limited by flow availability. General security users did not receive an allocation as there were no additional resources available for sharing in Copeton Dam, an updated assessment is due next month. Supplementary users received a 125% allocation, with access dependant on flows and flow sharing rules. Click to view the full statement.
Never has there been a more exciting time to be working in Australian agriculture. Innovation in drones, robotics and mechatronics are just a few of the developments currently changing the face of farming in Australia today.
We initated a new campaign to form a collective community of people that are proud to be a part of Australian agriculture visit our webpage or Facebook page to keep up to date with whats happening in ag, future opportunities and events and #jointheagrevolution
The Department of Industry - Water released the May resource assessment for the Gwydir Valley with no allocation provided to general security licenses. There is a small shortfall of 3.15GL for delivery loss that must be secured prior to any further allocations being made. See the NSW Water Availability Hub.
The Keytah Irrigation System Comparison trial has just been completed for the fifth season. Yield performance this year has been really strong with the highest yield for each of the systems. The yield estimates based on module weights indicate that the Bankless Channel has produced the highest yield this year.
The GVIA are disappointed with recent media reports and commentary around the management of floodplain flows and have provided the following statement and facts about the program, which was designed to incorporate this legitimate historical access into the current regulatory framework as required by legislation. We want people to know that this is not new water and that implementing this program will have many benefits. Most importantly it will protect the environment and users from further growth, providing certainty to all communities who rely on it. Restricting future growth will maintain and improve floodplain flows and build on Basin Plan outcomes, not detract from them.
On 17th May 2018 the SA Murray Darling Basin Royal Commission held a public hearing in Moree which was attended by community members. It provided an opportunity to discuss community impacts of buybacks, the adoption of the highest standard of measurement by Gwydir irrigators and the limited connectivity of the Gwydir, which means there is minimal ability to provide contributions downstream. The GVIA will be preparing a submission to the commission. The commission also meet with other organisations such as MPSC.
With up to a third of NSW experiencing drought conditions the NSW Government have released an information sheet with details of loan options and organisations who can offer assistance if required.
Gwydir regulated water availability remains unchanges following April's resource assessment. Use of environmental water for the northern connectivity event and minor orders for irrigation have occured reducing water available to irrigators to 42GL and 154GL to environmental water users (plus any high security water). There is a minor shortfall in delivery loss account which will need to be balanced prior to any water being available for sharing.
The April May 2018 edition of the Australian Cotton Grower includes an article on the Keytah Irrigation Project - the artilce 'Setting the Farm up for Broadband Connectivity' can be found in the following link.
The GVIA and B&W Rural are managing a project funded by the NW LLS looking into the management of Mimosa. We have just released a quick reference guide for growers looking at options to manage Mimosa.
Deliveries of NSW and Commonwealth environmental water have begun from Copeton Dam in the Gwydir Valley, as part of a coordinated effort to deliver held environmental water from northern catchments. Deliveries are anticipated to also be released from the Border Rivers and Namoi storages with up to 31 gigalitres being planned for delivery.
The final irrigation in the Grower-led cotton automation trial has been completed and defoliation in K28 will take place in the near future. Today Janelle Montgomery of the CottonInfo team helped remove the flow meters from the field.
Gwydir regulated allocations remain unchanged following this month's resource assessment with Copeton Dam holding steady at 29%. This will see irrigators carrying over 45GL and the environmental water users 134GL for late season delivery or for use into next water year. WaterNSW provide weekly water availability reports here.
Local Land Services NSW are seeking feedback on regional pest plans currently on exhibition until 20 April 2018. These plans aim to identify the risks in each region, set regional pest animal management priorities, and provide for the coordinated management of pest animal risks within and across Local Land Services regions. Pests identified include, wild dogs, feral pigs, foxes and goats and high priority areas highlighted. The LLS are seeking comment on how to improve strategic management to reduce the impact of these species locally.
Water is precious, that’s why irrigators make every drop count and irrigators in our valley, have strived to produce more cotton socks and jocks than we did 10-years ago, grow the best nuts, produce fine olive oils and make the tastiest fresh orange juice, with less water!
In celebration on #WorldWaterDay lets think about how important it is that we use water efficiently for the benefit of our nation and our local community and thank those that turn this scarce resource into food and clothes for everyone to share.
Local community consultation opportunity into the NSW Governments approach to water reform in NSW on Tuesday, 27th March in Moree from 2pm at the Max Centre.
“The discussion papers and consultation, are the start of a wider conversation with government and the community...
With the end of the summer irrigation season drawing to a near, water availability in the Gwydir has been revised in the February resource assessment with irrigators likely to carryover 46,000ML into next season whereas, environmental water managers holding the majority of water with 164,000ML. We have updated our current availability to reflect usage to-date, this is reported on an annual basis covering the water year.
“Water is our most precious resource. The GVIA and the industry as a whole continue to press for an effective water management compliance system, responsibility for which rests with the state government.”
On Wednesday, 14th February 2018 the Federal Senate rejected an amendment to the Murray Darling Basin Plan which will see the northern recovery target return to 390 gigalitres, rather than the revised 320 gigalitres.
We’re looking to the Commonwealth and NSW Government to negotiate a speedy resolution that puts people, communities and the environment back as the priority.
Local Gwydir Valley Agronomist Kate Lumber has been selected as one of two showgirl finalists at the zone four final on the weekend. Kate will represent Moree at The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl competition next month. For more information see the Moree Champion article following.
The Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA) together with Stahmann Farms hosted the new Federal Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud on Monday, 29 January 2018 at “Trawalla” east of Moree. The visit was organised by local Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton and the opportunity was used to showcase the innovative work of our local agricultural industries.
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) today has announced it will tender up to 5GL (5,000 megalitres) of unused Gwydir General Security allocation in the Gwydir Valley.
In the last week the team from the University of Southern Qld have been at the Keytah System Comparison trial taking measurements in the siphon automation field.
The Keytah irrigation comparison drip system is undergoing significant updates with the installation of new filters. The updates are being supported by Netafim, with installation by WaterQuip and Keytah.
The Dryland Cotton Research Association Field Day provided growers the opportunity to inspect the cover cropping trial which has been running since early 2015.
The final round of filming is underway for the regional growth marketing and promotional project being funded by the NSW Government Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The 8th and 9th of November saw good turn outs for the first incrop Area Wide Management meetings in the Gwydir. This was a great opportunity to hear form other growers and consultants about planting, establishment and insect pressure.
The 2017 Smarter Irrigation Automation Trial at Keytah is underway. The site has been upgraded with the installation of new doors in the bankless channel and smart siphons in the siphon field.
Irrigation in the Gwydir is in full swing which brings a range of water birds to the region; a family of Pink-eared Ducks recently spotted west of Moree. For more information on birds on cotton farms visit the link following.
Last week the GVIA started filming for the NSW government Regional Growth Promotional Fund. The first interview was with Irrigation and Pump Specialist Ryan Hunt from WaterQuip Moree.
Support from NSW Government to promote business, investors and skilled workers looking for opportunities in regional NSW
Fiona Norrie was awarded the Gwydir Valley Young Achiever of the year in 2016, and last month was awarded the 2017 Cotton Industry Young Achiever. Congratulations Fiona.
Irrigators and farmers in the Gwydir Valley will tonight at 5pm launch a video campaign to highlight the negative impact that cold water pollution has on our river system and others across the Murray-Darling Basin.
Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA) Executive Officer Zara Lowien, who was also the Executive Producer on the film, says the ‘Cold Fish’ video has been launched ahead of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s determination on the Northern Basin Review – due this week.