Sun shines on top rice growers

And they were not the only local growers to be recognised at the awards, with a number of district growers receiving awards in the yield and special grain categories.

Deniliquin’s Bill Holden was also singled out at the awards night, receiving the Grower Industry Contribution Award. It acknowledges an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the rice industry beyond their own farming operations.

The Smalls operate Rivena Nominees, which was nominated for the top rice award for consistently being in the top 20 per cent of yields for the eastern Murray Valley.

Setting them apart was their impressive adoption of technology and practices to increase water use efficiency, and using innovation and technology to improve the way their farm operates.

Mr Small attributes their strong yield results to their efforts to introduce new technology such as precision agriculture, soil testing and crop rotation which introduced legumes to help fix nitrogen.

“We predominately grow rice, and it fits in really well with our whole farm enterprise,” he said.

“We can retain the moisture for our cereal crops and then ahead of growing rice we can use our legumes, vetch and clovers for feed to maximise our livestock production as well.”

Mr Small is also proud that the water used by Rivena Nominees is fully recycled, with every drop being reused across three individual pump sites, resulting in huge water savings.

Mark Groat from Rice Extension said the award was designed to highlight the best of what the industry has to offer, which is what the Smalls are doing.

“Josh and Emily's farming system exemplifies excellence in production, people management, profitability and sustainability,” Mr Groat said.

Accepting their award from SunRice Group chair Laurie Arthur, the Smalls spoke of the importance of family and the strength of intergenerational rice growing.

“We are proud to be third generation rice growers, and we’re building our enterprise on the very strong collaboration between my parents, the rice growing excellence of my father and business mind of my mother,” Mr Small said.

“We’re very grateful to receive this award and to be part of such an innovative and collaborative industry as rice growing. We look forward to being ambassadors for the rice industry.”

The SunRice Grower of the Year winner receives a $10,000 support package to help them further expand their business, such as personal or business development, and a nomination for the Australian Farmer of the Year Award.

Judge Troy Mauger from Jerilderie Rice said what impressed him the most about the Smalls’ enterprise was their efforts in sustainability.

“The business is evolving by embracing new technologies such as the use of field maps, precision agriculture to guide lime application to address soil pH issues,” he said.

“This approach aims to improve soil health and ultimately boost yields and productivity.

“It’s also very encouraging how they manage their staff and believe in upskilling their team.”

Fellow judge and Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia policy and project manager Neil Bull said “the rice industry is in very good hands with farmers like the Small family”.

“Josh’s strong interest in improving the performance of his farm by trying different things and adopting new and emerging technologies is what set them apart,” he said.

In the Port of Melbourne Highest Yield Awards, four growers with the highest yields in their regions were recognised.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area finalist Allawah Family Trust, yielding 16.36 tonnes/ha on 23.75 hectares, was awarded the Overall Highest Yield award. It was presented to David Andrighetto.

Finalists in other regions were:

The Yenda Producers Specialist Grain Yield Awards recognised highest yields by rice variety. These included:

The joint winners of the Excellence in Extension, Research and Advisory Award — recognising agronomists, advisers and researchers who have significantly contributed to advancing rice production — were Brian and Tina Dunn.