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Farmers

Drought Conditions and Rising Input Costs Challenge Riverina Farmers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Cropping farmers in the Riverina region of New South Wales are facing a tough time due to drought conditions and increasing input costs. With no significant rainfall in the area, farmers are forced to rely on irrigation and take risks with dry cropping, hoping for rain. According to rice farmer Paul Aloissi, the yields have been breaking records this year, but the challenge remains to achieve more with less. "You need all the big crops to help pay for all of the inputs," he said.

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul Aloissi, a rice farmer from Griffith, planted 550 hectares that was harvested in April, with yields breaking records this year in the tons per hectare.
  • Aloissi now sows winter cereals such as oats, grazing wheat, barley, and biscuit wheat, relying on rainfall to keep his crops going.
  • He received between 12 and 28mm of rain on Anzac Day weekend, which will keep him going until the end of the month.
  • Aloissi believes rice cropping is more expensive now due to higher costs of water, fertiliser, and machinery.
  • Cotton farmer Nick Maynard experienced a successful season, but expects next year's allocation to be lower due to pumping out of the Murrumbidgee River.
  • Maynard planted approximately 400 hectares of cotton this year, but might reduce it to 300 hectares next year due to the outlook.

Statistics:

  • 550 hectares: The area of rice farmed by Paul Aloissi in Griffith.
  • 400 hectares: The area of cotton farmed by Nick Maynard in Hay.
  • 12-28mm: The amount of rain received by Aloissi on Anzac Day weekend.
  • 2 megalitres a hectare: The amount of water used by Maynard this year, which is quite a lot more than normal.
  • 39%: The allocation of water Maynard received this year.
  • 30%: The carryover from last year's allocation for Maynard.
  • 70%: The total allocation Maynard received this year, with the carryover.
  • 1000 megalitres: The amount of water rights owned by Maynard.
  • 25 years: The time it has been since Maynard experienced 100% allocation for water.

Sources:

  • Paul Aloissi, rice farmer from Griffith.
  • Nick Maynard, cotton farmer from Hay.
  • [No specific article or source mentioned in the original text.]

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