Southern Growers is a developing grower group servicing the Southern Murray Valley in New South Wales. The group developed in 2008 in an attempt to respond to the lack of Government agronomic services in the area. As the community recovered from drought Southern Growers has slowly built momentum and today helps local grower’s access information and research in irrigated farming systems. Since drou
ght and Murray Darling Basin reform the catchment that Southern Growers functions in is facing challenges in operating irrigated farming systems in changing environments of water availability and greater climate variability. The group aims to drive innovation in the region to improve the profitability, efficiency and performance of agriculture in irrigated farming systems. As a result of this growers will be able to achieve greater water use efficiencies and more security for long term viability of their business. Objectives:
To improve the profitability and viability of Southern Murray Valley farming businesses, through research, demonstration and exchange of ideas amongst growers and industry groups. Reach:
Southern Growers reaches through events, activities and communications growers, agribusinesses, researchers and industry partners across the Southern Murray Valley and partners who service the region. Structure and Governance:
Southern Growers is a not for profit group and has a board of seven members with experience in farming, financial and business management, industry development, extension, and not-for-profit organization management. Southern Growers also has a farming systems committee made up of growers, private consultants and commercial agronomists who drive innovative research, development and extension and support synergies between growers and the agricultural industry. Business:
Southern Growers partners with Murray Local Land Services and other research and development organisations (Rice Extension, GRDC and Dairy Australia) to conduct research, development and extension. Currently Southern Growers has been running extension programs on crop sequencing, timing of sowing, frost management, herbicide resistance and irrigation layouts. Southern Growers holds regular grower workshops and field days. During the 2014 winter cropping season, the group held five successful workshop and crop walks with an average attendance of 50 growers and 10 industry representatives.
