GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION
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.
The Gwydir Valley Area Wide Management Groups will meet next week to wrap up the cotton season. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings.
The Telleraga meeting is earlier at 3pm and the Ashley/Midkin meeting has been moved to the Ashley Hall.
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.
The South Australian Royal Commission into the Murray Darling Basin Plan is holding public consultation on their investigation at the Max Centre on Thursday 17 May 2018 between 10:30am - 12pm. This is an opportunity for the community and not only irrigators to demonstrate to the Royal Commission how the Basin Plan has impacted our community and how environmental outcomes have been achieved but that we can always improve but that doesn't mean just adding more water. You will need to register via their website https://www.mdbrc.sa.gov.au/.
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.
The NW LLS are hosting a Native Vegetation information session at the Moree RSL on Monday 30th April 2018 between 9am and 5pm. The day will provide producers an opportunity to talk through the new regulations with your local land services representives. For more information or to reserve a time that suits you please contact: Sally Poole Local Land Services Moree 0409 707 623
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.
On Saturday the 14th of April Friends of Moree Regional Botanic Gardens and Moree Plains Garden Club hosted the Garden Clubs Australia North West Zone Picnic at the Heber St Local Threatened Species Garden.
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.
The GVIA and CottonInfo Field Day in February 2018 provided Growers a great opportunity to hear from irrigation and Nitrogen researchers about optimised irrigation and automation of irrigation. See our updated project page with our new video releases on why this research and field days are important to the industry.
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.”
The GVIA and CottonInfo Field Day in February 2018 provided Growers a great opportunity to hear from irrigation and Nitrogen researchers about optimised irrigation and automation of irrigation. See the latest Video release.
The annual GVIA Irrigation Field Day continues to draw big crowds. The 2018 event was run in conjunction with the CottonInfo Optimising Irrigation and Nitrogen tour. It was wonderful to see so many young growers and consultants, and to have 24 irrigators from southern regions at the field day.
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.
CottonInfo will be hosting a weather webinar on Wednesday 10th January at 12.30pm.
There will be detailed discussion around the La Nina we are having, when we are not having a La Nina and also, what is the Madden-Julian Oscillation system and its impact on the second half of January.
You will need to register via the CottonInfo website.
The recording will be posted onto the website afterwards.
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.
Optimising Irrigation and Nitrogen is the theme of the 2018 Gwydir Valley field day to be held at Keytah. This season the Keytah system comparison site has been upgraded to included automation of siphons, bankless channel, lateral move and drip. The aim is to identify options which are suitable for growers looking to automate irrigation on a large scale.
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.
There has been a strong turnout to the Gwydir Valley CGA Silverleaf Whitefly workshops this week. The workshops were made possible through a CRDC Grassroots Grant. Thank You to our presenters Dave Parlato, Iain MacPherson, Arthur Spellson and Brad Anderson.
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.
From 10:30am there with be a cover cropping field day at “Belvedere” 2619 Mt Jerrybang Rd. This will be followed at 2:00pm by a dryland Cotton Variety Trial Field walk at Alice Downs, Mt Jerrybang Rd.
A grain storage field day will be held at Belahna Silos at 3pm on Tuesday the 5th of December. Please see attached flyer for more details.
The Gwydir Valley CGA will be hosting Silver Leaf Whitefly workshops in the Gwydir on Wednesday 6th at 4:30pm at Telleraga and on Thursday 7th December at 7:30am at Auscott.
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
On Thursday, 31st August 2017 the Gwydir Valley CGA will host their annual charity dinner and awards night.
gwydircotton@gwydircotton.com.au
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.
