Free, cross-industry sessions were held in February 2020 to assist irrigators with upcoming sowing, irrigation and stock feeding decisions.
The latest information is provided on climate and commodity outlooks, along with cropping options and management tips for limited water availability.
Situation and outlook
- Short and long – term climate outlook, climate drivers and levels of certainty
- Key drivers of hay and grain prices including the drought, fires and international issues
- The current irrigation water resource position and outlook for 2020-21
Farm decision making
- Irrigated and dryland cropping and forage options, and management
- What to do with your water
- Feed buying tips
Presentations
Presenter 1 – Graeme Anderson, Climate Specialist, Agriculture Victoria
Below you can watch the presentations given by Graeme Anderson on the short and long term climate outlooks for the area.
Calivil – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EVEotuSSMA
Rochester – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsgi961R2F4
Stanhope – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLy4VpU-eWs
Kerang – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol9w8gbmqeA
This video is a short summary of the key points from Graham’s presentation.
Presenter 2 – Andrew Shields/Guy Ortlipp, River Operations and Planning, Goulburn Murray Water
Below is the presentation from GMW about the current irrigation water resource position and outlook
Andrew Shields GMW February 2020 Agriculture Victoria Seasonal Updates
This video is a short summary of the key points from Guy Ortlipp’s presentation.
The full presentation can be found here:
Presenter 3 – Colin Peace, Director, Jumbuk Ag
Below is the presentation by Colin Peace about the ket drivers of hay and grain prices including the drought, fires and international issues
Colin Peace Commodity outlook Hay Grain Nth
The below video is a short summary of the takehome messages from Colin’s presentation.
The full presentation can be found here:
Presenter 4 – Damian Jones, Agronomist, Irrigated Cropping Council
Below is the presentation by Damian Jones about irrigated and dryland cropping options and what to do with your water
Damian Jones Cropping options for Seasonal Updates Feb 20
The below video is a short summary of the takehome messages from Damian’s presentation.
The full presentation can be found here:
Handouts, web links and resources
Below are links and handouts that are available
Climate
- The Break newsletter
- CliMATE app
- Goulburn Broken climate guide
- North Central Victorian climate guide
- Goulburn climate projections
- Loddon Campaspe climate projections
- A guide for farmers in using seasonal forecasts in SE Australia – booklet
Irrigation outlook & ownership
- GMW seasonal determinations and outlooks
- NSW water allocation statements
- Current water ownership (N Vic)
Cropping
- Irrigate or not gross margin tool (ICC)
- NSW DPI gross margin tool
- NSW irrigation guides and posters
- Cost-benefit of irrigating wheat
Support
- Dry season financial assistance
- Rural support assistance contact list
- Rural financial counselling – North East
- Rural financial counselling – North West
- Rochester and Elmore District Health
- Northern District Health – Tactics for Tough Times
- Kyabram District Health
- Plan2Farm
Irrigation
- Weekly Irrigation Requirement$ Summary
- Using evapotranspiration to schedule irrigations fact sheet
- Soil moisture monitoring fact sheet
- Water productivity of irrigated forages in Northern Victoria
- Variation of irrigation requirements of forages in Northern Victoria
- Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Incentives
- Shepparton Irrigation Region Whole Farm Plan incentives
- Should I install pipes and risers or an open channel system
Groundwater
- Irrigation with saline groundwater in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District
- Constructing a bore. GMW fact sheet
- Sustainable management of groundwater fact sheet
Other
- Drought feeding sheep book
- Drought feeding beef cattle book
- Winter cereals or annual ryegrass – sowing options for autumn
- Pests to be aware of in autumn
- Pasture renovation in autumn
- Using nitrogen in autumn
- Managing farm water supplies booklet
- Upcoming ‘Pushing Your Water Further’ workshop – ag technology
- Timing of the break – Dale Grey
Dry Season Support
Agriculture Victoria continues to monitor the season and plan further events as appropriate. Impacts are different in each of our main irrigation regions and staff in each catchment are working to adjust and deliver appropriate programs as required. We are also working closely with colleagues from other industries as well as catchment and industry partners to plan and deliver programs.
The Victorian Government supports farmers throughout Victoria to prepare and respond to dry seasons. Current dry seasons measures available to Victorian farmers include:
This support is updated regularly. For more information visit:
http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons
https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/industry-programs/on-farm-drought-infrastructure-grant
