North-East update – Sept 2025

Since our last update, Riverine Plains as the North-East Node lead, has several delivered events dealing with the current seasonal conditions and how systems adaptations can help support management in dry conditions.

Drought-resilient systems field day, Murchison

Drought-resilience practices, crown rot, cover and companion cropping, and livestock feeding were the key topics discussed at a Field Day held in Murchison.

Growers toured the Long-term trial of drought-resilient farming practices site, looking at a vetch and oat fodder crop and discussing management options including grazing, hay or brown manuring. A valuable session on livestock feeding with Nick Linden (Agriculture Victoria) covered feed availability assessments, matching this to livestock needs, and maintaining animal performance though late winter and spring.

The day also had a focus on Fusarium crown rot, subsoil acidity and stubble management to help farmers mitigate yield loss, especially in seasons with a dry finish, with host farmers sharing their experiences in managing the disease.

An economic analysis on the potential for summer cover and companion cropping in local systems was also presented for farmer feedback, providing insights on the suitability of these systems in the Riverine Plains.

Livestock, pastures & water

Recently appointed Livestock Project Manager Kerrie Sutherland attended a drought recovery workshop at Corryong in the Upper Murray during August. The area has been severely affected by dry conditions and the workshop offered valuable insights into managing competing priorities and rebuilding capacity – topics that deeply resonate with farmers navigating both personal and business stress. It also offered Kerrie the opportunity to meet local farmers and key advisors in the area, enhancing future collaboration.

In-season update

“Controlling the controllables” was a common theme at the Riverine Plains In-season Update in early August.

Farmers talked about the importance of off-loading underperforming stock during dry times, such as was experienced over summer and into early winter. Many farmers weaned early to preserve ewe health and maximise available feed and pasture resources. Mixed farmers also said they were increasingly turning to nutritionists for advice about cost-effective livestock feeding and supplementation.

While dry sowing of long season crops for grazing was compromised by late emergence, it was clear that farmers value long-season grazing crops for filling the early feed gap. A message was to consider a range of grazing options (ie brassicas, different cereal types), to hedge against different seasonal outcomes.

Split germination was predicted to cause issues with herbicide/fungicide timing, windrowing in canola and harvest this season, with full implications yet to be seen. Fortunately, mould was not seen dry-sown crops which sat in the ground for some time before germinating, highlighting the success of dry-sowing as a risk management strategy if rules of thumb are followed (for example retaining stubble, minimal soil disturbance, avoiding weedy paddocks, sowing seed deeper and herbicide choice).

The day also featured Greg Condon, Grassroots Agronomy, Rosemary Richards from Sustainable Grain Australia, and Nick Crundall from Market Check, who each spoke on different aspects of risk management in terms of markets, agronomy and sustainability.

Technology & innovation

Riverine Plains attended the Future Ag Expo in Melbourne, talking with farmers and industry about the role that technology can play in increasing on-farm efficiency and improving system resilience.

Upcoming events

Riverine Plains is hosting several upcoming workshops to increase farm business efficiency, including farm-office operations and Xero in Yarrawonga, Grain Automate (harvester set-up), the Evan Moll Gerogery Field Day and Drought resilient farming practices field days, where farming practices and seasonal issues will be in-focus. For details, visit www.riverineplains.org.au/events.