North-East Update – March 2026

North-East Node update: planning, performance and practical tools

Farmers across north-east Victoria are balancing seasonal variability, input pressures and planning decisions, as highlighted through recent engagement led by Riverine Plains.

As the North-East Node lead of the Vic Hub, Riverine Plains continues to connect farmers, researchers and industry to support practical, regionally relevant drought preparedness. Insights gathered from recent events and field activities are shaping priorities for the season ahead.

Seasonal insights and farm performance

Engagement with more than 200 farmers through pre-season debriefs, planning sessions and technology discussions highlighted consistent drivers of crop performance. Early rainfall, timely establishment and stored soil moisture were key factors influencing outcomes across the region.

While early sowing created yield opportunities, it also reinforced the ongoing trade-off between maximising production and managing frost risk. Limited frost damage was reported, but the risk remains a central consideration in seasonal planning.

Cooler grain-fill conditions, reduced evaporation and moisture at depth supported stronger-than-expected yields in many areas, with barley performing particularly well.

Despite this, profitability remained mixed. High input and overhead costs continue to place pressure on margins, while dry conditions impacted dam levels and livestock water supply. Stock containment areas proved valuable where implemented, helping manage feeding and groundcover.

Planning for the 2026 season

Looking ahead, flexibility remains critical. Farmers noted the need to adjust crop plans if opening rains are delayed, particularly given limited stored moisture at depth across parts of the region.

Nitrogen management is expected to be a key challenge, with uncertainty driven by both soil moisture conditions and fertiliser pricing. Deep soil nitrogen testing continues to be reinforced as a practical tool to support more informed decision-making and avoid over- or under-application.

Machinery investment decisions are also under scrutiny, with farmers weighing efficiency gains against maintenance costs, parts availability and cashflow impacts. Balancing input costs without limiting production potential remains a key tension, particularly in the context of global market volatility.

Road-tested research supporting on-farm decisions

Road-tested Research farm mapping Recent Road-tested Research days focused on practical tools and technologies that can improve efficiency and support risk management.

Optical spot spraying technology demonstrated how targeted weed control can improve return on investment while preserving soil moisture and enabling earlier intervention.

Farm-mapping sessions highlighted the importance of clean, consistent data systems to enable reliable insights. Accurate paddock boundaries, naming conventions and longitudinal data allow farmers to better understand variability and target inputs where they deliver the greatest return.

Cashflow planning was also a key focus, with emphasis on using actual financial data rather than estimates to support decision-making. Clear visibility of financial gaps enables more effective planning and helps identify where incremental improvements can deliver meaningful gains.

Livestock systems and emissions

A joint field day delivered by Riverine Plains and The University of Melbourne at Baddaginnie in northern Victoria, explored both immediate and longer-term approaches to livestock management.

The event examined feeding strategies for dry conditions alongside emerging research into methane emissions reduction, as part of the Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock (MERiL) program.

Key discussions focused on balancing productivity with sustainability. Practical approaches such as containment feeding, feed testing and tailored feeding systems were highlighted as ways to protect groundcover, reduce erosion and support pasture recovery while maintaining livestock performance.

Supporting drought preparedness across the region

Across all activities, a consistent focus remains on supporting farmers to make informed, timely decisions in a variable climate. By connecting research with practical application, the North-East Node continues to deliver locally relevant insights that strengthen drought preparedness and resilience.