Weather & Water

Making every drop count

A RENOWNED Riverland horticultural specialist says South Australian primary producers must adapt toward sustainable farming practices to combat growing water supply constraints. Renmark-based Ian Tolley has consulted in horticultural regions around...

Hugh Schuitemaker

October 2023

Nuts

Challenges flood in for almond growers

FLOODING along the River Murray in South Australia and the shutting down of power to irrigation pumps in the Riverland will have an impact on almond crop potential for the coming season, the CEO of the industry’s peak body says. Almond Board of...

SA Farmer

April 2023

Weather & Water

Agriculture booms despite flooding

AUSTRALIAN agriculture has stayed on track despite devastating floods in multiple areas around the country. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports, released in...

SA Farmer

April 2023

Ag News

High flows hitting SA water quality

Further information regarding blackwater events can be found by visiting the MDBA website

SA Farmer

December 2022

Ag News

La Niña impact on harvest

WHILE harvest 2022 would ordinarily be in full swing throughout November, croppers across the state have been impeded by storms and colder temperature. These conditions not only delay growth, but cause significant challenges with sodden soil...

SA Farmer

November 2022

Weather & Water

Basin plan recommendations still a priority

FULFILLING an election promise by implementing recommendations of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is still a goal for the state government. Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven appeared in a Q&A session held by...

Hugh Schuitemaker

July 2022

Weather & Water

Constraints strategy kicking into gear

THREE Riverland councils were recently presented with an update on a core part of the Basin Plan, after the long-term strategy finally kicked into gear. Loxton Waikerie, Berri Barmera and Renmark Paringa councils all received updates on the...

Alexandra Bull

July 2022

Autumn Update

Water update: Rain, storage and flows

Rain levels Renmark January to April 28, 2022: 44.8mm January to April 28, 2021: 25mm January to April average: 66.2mm Loxton January to April 28, 2022: 57.1mm January to April 28, 2021: 23.7mm January to April average: 66.6mm Waikerie January to...

SA Farmer

May 2022

Ag News

Funding boost for Roseworthy drought hub

For more information, visit awe. gov. au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/research-adoption-program/adoption-innovation-hubs

Staff Contributors

May 2022

Ag News

Landscape projects get the go ahead with $1.29m funding

To find out more about these Landscape Priority Fund projects, contact the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board via phone: 8841 3444 or email: ny. landscapeboard@sa. gov. au

Staff Contributors

May 2022

Weather & Water

100 per cent in sight, but focus is on buybacks

A LOCAL Liberal MP says re-instating a water buyback policy to achieve Murray-Darling Basin Plan targets would have negative economic consequences for the Riverland. The state government last week announced water allocations for SA River Murray...

Hugh Schuitemaker

April 2022

Weather & Water

Local weighs into Basin Plan debate

THE operator of a Riverland-based environmental tourism business has spoken out at critics of water buybacks and has moved to highlight the importance of meeting Murray-Darling Basin Plan water-recovery targets. Barker MP Tony Pasin, Renmark Paring...

Staff Contributors

April 2022

Ag News

Local growers, mayor, react to federal Labor’s water policy… (Buy) Back-off

THE potential re-introduction of water buyback schemes under a federal Labor government would harm the economic security of local communities, according to two senior growers, an MP, and a Riverland mayor. Just days ago, Opposition Leader Anthony...

Hugh Schuitemaker

April 2022

Ag News

No ‘water wars’ mean buybacks not needed

A NATIONAL industry body says a federal Labor intention to reinstate water buybacks would ignore the “hard work and sacrifice” of Riverland irrigators toward meeting Murray-Darling Basin Plan goals. A five-point Labor policy focused on the...

Staff Contributors

April 2022

Community

More netting cash to help storm-vulnerable growers

IMPACTS from hailstorms and extreme weather events – like those that ripped through the region in October and November – could be minimised for Riverland horticultural producers via a new protective netting program. Riverland growers lost...

Staff Contributors

January 2022

News

Progress on irrigation scheme expansion

THE first service tender has been issued for the expansion of the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme.

Sam Greenwood

April 2020

Nuts

Almond orchard recycling trial a sustainability first

A SUSTAINABILITY trial in a neighbouring region focused on making use of old trees could change the way almonds are grown in the Riverland and around Australia. Former Almond Board of Australia (ABA) chairman Neale Bennett has partnered with the AB...

SA Farmer

February 2022

News

Recycled water plan for Gawler ‘green belt’

GAWLER’S “green belt” could be hooked up to a recycled water system in an attempt to encourage primary production in the area as part of a council plan to provide cheaper irrigation to the town.

Sam Bradbrook

June 2020

Weather & Water

Dry end to 2021, but rain storages remain strong

RIVERLAND and Mallee primary producers experienced a dry end to 2021, however strong November rainfall meant Lower North farmers exceeded their annual rainfall average. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) recorded a total of 44.4mm of rain in Renmark...

SA Farmer

February 2022

Weather & Water

Experts raise concerns about declining Murray-Darling health

A NEW video taking a deep-dive into the Murray-Darling Basin river system and its future survival was released in November. Conservation SA, in partnership with River Lakes and Coorong Action Group, and Lifeblood Alliance, use the 10-minute YouTube...

SA Farmer

February 2022

Weather & Water

Is water-saving tech actually saving water?

AN international team of scientists, including experts from the University of Adelaide, warn that reliance on modern irrigation technologies to save water is a “zombie idea”, an idea that persists despite evidence against it. In a paper in...

SA Farmer

February 2022

Weather & Water

Drought support programs to continue with 12 month extension

IN a recent edition of this publication I wrote that a drought is not over until the financial pressures caused by it have subsided. That statement remains true notwithstanding last year’s excellent results. What is also true is that drought...

Tony Pasin

February 2022