Good farming systems need to be able to adapt. And that's exactly what the Small family have done. They now use flexible rotations, regular soil testing, precise water management and technology to respond to what's happening in the paddock. For Josh, the focus isn't technology for technology's sake. It's about using the right tools to improve timing, efficiency and control while continuing to get the fundamentals right. There's lots of practical takeaways in the Small family cases study in the CY26 Annual Summary. riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianRice #RiceGrowers

The Fasham family emphasise the importance of having a skilled team, clear communication and consistency in crop management, which is why they're regularly in the top 5% of yields each season. From monitoring establishment and crop development to checking grain moisture before drainage, their approach relies on making the right decision at the right time. With that focus they were able to deliver a 12.8 T/ha Matilda crop with a Quality Score of 9.5, despite the extreme heat during CY26. Find all the details from sowing dates and fertiliser through to drainage and water use efficiency in the CY26 Annual Summary. riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianRice #RiceGrowers

With more than 80% of the crop now drill sown, soil acidity is becoming increasingly important. At a Focus Site, differences in soil pH appeared to be linked with yield outcomes, highlighting the importance of: ✅ Regular soil testing ✅ Understanding soil constraints ✅ Addressing issues before yield loss occurs As farming systems evolve, soil health continues to play a bigger role in profitability. Explore the findings in the CY26 Annual Summary. riceextension.com.au/rice-ex… #SoilHealth #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing

The Cauduro family's philosophy "leaving the farm better than we found it" influences their approach to rice growing. Kevin, Nancy and Nathan have built a system focused on long-term soil health, disciplined rotations and continuous improvement in their management practices. Their organic carbon levels are evidence of what can happen when you look beyond a single season. Find all their CY26 details in the CY26 Annual Summary. riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianRice #RiceGrowers

Last season had the highest proportion of drill sown crops on record accounting for 84% of the CY26 crop. But establishment method is only one piece of the yield puzzle. At a Rice Extension Focus Site, an aerial-sown crop has consistently out-yielded the neighbouring drill-sown crop making it a useful reminder of just how much paddock conditions, soil characteristics and management play a part. As CY27 planning gets underway, we expect to again see a high number of drill sown paddocks as water efficiency remains a major priority for growers. Learn more about the Focus Site results at: riceextension.com.au/rice-ex… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianFarmers

The CY26 Rice Extension Annual Summary brings together: ✅ Benchmarking data from across the industry ✅ Seasonal analysis and key learnings ✅ Focus Site research findings ✅ Top grower case studies ✅ Water, nitrogen and profitability insights ✅ Rice Management Dashboard learnings Whether you're planning for CY27 or reviewing last season, it's a practical resource designed to support better decisions. Download it here: riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianFarmers

One season's learnings can help shape the next. With CY27 sowing approaching, now is a good time to revisit the Annual Summary and consider what last season's findings could mean for your paddocks. Explore the full CY26 Annual Summary for the case studies, results and practical learnings behind the numbers. Visit riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianRice

Over 95% of growers and agronomists used the Rice Management Dashboard in CY26. Why? Because it helps support critical decisions around: 🌾 Nitrogen timing 🌾 Panicle initiation 🌾 Drainage 🌾 Harvest timing 🌾 Managing variability within paddocks The Dashboard is helping turn data into practical on-farm decisions. See how growers are using it: riceextension.com.au/crop-ma… #DigitalAgriculture #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing

What does consistently being in the top 5% of rice yields actually look like? For Andrew and Leanne Cameron, it's not about one standout season. Their system has been refined over decades, with a strong focus on timing, water management, crop establishment and making informed decisions at every stage. That consistency continues to deliver, with yields typically sitting around 15-17 T/ha. In CY26, their Matilda crop yielded 15.4 T/ha which was around 25% above the regional average. You can find all the details on their CY26 season including layouts, fertiliser program and drainage timings in the CY26 Annual Summary. riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianFarmers

The work behind a successful CY27 crop starts now and paddock layouts are certainly something to consider. Bed layouts can support more consistent establishment, improve drainage and trafficability, and make it easier to carry out timely operations throughout the season. They can also create greater flexibility for crops that follow rice. There's no "one-size-fits-all" solution but its well worth checking in to see if switching things up might improve your rice production. #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianGrowers

Every grower is different. Different regions. Different rotations. Different farming systems. But the growers consistently achieving top yields across the Riverina share some common traits: ✅ Focus on fundamentals ✅ Attention to timing ✅ Frequent crop monitoring ✅ Willingness to adopt new technology ✅ Continuous improvement mindset Their stories featured in the CY26 Annual Summary show there's no single recipe for success, but there are common principles. Read their case studies: riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianFarmers

In CY26 final yields were one to two tonnes lower than expected, a result of the intense week of heat during late January. This impact was consistent across regions despite differences in management and locations. In our Annual Summary case study we examine why this happens and some tips to minimise impact. Read it here: riceextension.com.au/rice-ex… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #Agriculture #AustralianRice

The Rice Extension team recently caught up with Meg Brown to talk about integrated weed management in fallow.   From herbicides and cultivation through to crop rotation and cover crops, taking a whole-system approach can help reduce weed pressure, protect herbicide performance and set your paddocks up for future success.   Read our fact sheet or watch the full video to hear Meg's tips on planning ahead, knowing your weeds and acting early.   🔗: riceextension.com.au/weed-ma…   #RiceExtension #IntegratedWeedManagement #WeedControl #FallowManagement #RiceGrowingAustralia

A season defined by one week. Late January brought temperatures of up to 47°C across rice-growing regions. While crops looked strong and yields remained above average, many experienced heat-induced sterility during critical reproductive stages. Rice Extension analysis found sterility levels of 15-30%, compared with a more typical level of less than 5%. It's a reminder that even well-managed crops can be tested by extreme seasonal events. We explain exactly how the heat affected sterility in our Annual Summary. Find it here: riceextension.com.au/rice-ex… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #Agriculture #AustralianRice

Get ready for the season ahead! Join Rice Extension at one of four CY27 Pre-Sowing Meetings across the MIA and MV on 8 and 10 September. Hear the latest seasonal outlook, crop management recommendations and industry updates to help you plan for the season ahead. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with other growers and industry representatives. 🔗 Find your nearest meeting and register here: eventbrite.com/cc/cy27-pre-s… #RiceExtension #AustralianRice #PreSowing #GrowerUpdates

A little behind the scenes with the Morshead family (our CY26 SunRice Grower of the Year) and Midstate Video Productions. We recently spent some time on-farm capturing Chris's story, hearing about the changes they've made over the years and what continues to drive their mindset on rice growing. Day's like this are a nice little switch up from our regular extension work. Watch the final result: youtube.com/watch?v=8LEW5q3W… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowers #AustralianRice

What separates top-performing rice crops from the rest? In CY26, there was a 2.6 T/ha yield gap between the highest-yielding third of Matilda crops and the lowest-yielding third. What's interesting? It wasn't driven by significantly higher nitrogen rates. The biggest differences came down to getting the fundamentals right: ✅ Early nutrition ✅ Strong establishment ✅ Effective weed control ✅ Timely management decisions That 2.6 T/ha difference equates to more than $1,400/ha in additional profitability. Learn more in the CY26 Rice Extension Annual Summary: riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowing #AustralianFarmers

From one of the toughest quality years to one of the best. CY25 challenged growers with poor grain quality and high levels of cracked grain. Fast forward to CY26 and grain quality rebounded dramatically, with an average Quality Score of 9.5 across all varieties. The key lesson? Timing matters. Crops that hit key growth stages in the optimal window, combined with timely drainage and harvest, delivered some of the best quality grain we've seen. Read more in the CY26 Annual Summary: riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceQuality #RiceGrowing #AustralianRice

Congratulations to Chris Morshead and Amberley Pastoral Co who were named the CY26 SunRice Grower of the Year at last weeks Rice Industry Awards. Chris and his family were recognised for their forward-thinking approach to rice growing, combining generational experience with a willingness to trial, adapt and invest in new ways of doing things. From embracing drill sowing and irrigation automation to hosting research into aerobic rice production, their approach demonstrates how innovation, water-use efficiency and collaboration with researchers can help drive practical improvements on-farm. Watch the full video: youtube.com/watch?v=8LEW5q3W… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowers #AustralianFarmers #AustralianRice #GrowerOfTheYear

The CY26 Rice Extension Annual Summary is live Collating data and insights collected throughout the season, the Annual Summary provides a valuable snapshot of rice growing across the region. The purpose of the document is to put all the most important learnings in one place to inform decisions for seasons to come. A big thank you to the growers who contributed their paddock and harvest data. Check it out now at riceextension.com.au/cy26-an… #RiceExtension #RiceGrowers #AustralianFarmers