Irrigation Farmers Network

10/04/2026

Forward Allocation can provide greater certainty around price, volume and delivery timing, supporting stronger seasonal planning.

How it works:

A farmer purchases 300ML of Forward Allocation and pays a 20% deposit. Delivery dates and volumes are then set, for example:
100ML in September
100ML in October
100ML in December

Approximately two weeks prior to each delivery, the farmer pays for that specific parcel at the previously agreed price.

Payments and deliveries can coincide with milk cheques or stock sales, helping to manage cash flow across the season.

Key benefits:
• Fixed price and set delivery schedule
• No 5% losses – 100% volume guaranteed
• Improved cash flow planning
• Greater certainty in a variable allocation market

The volume and delivery dates provided above are examples only. All forward allocation agreements are negotiated based on the specific needs and circumstances of each individual.

If you would like more information or want to see what’s currently available, call us on (03) 5853 2333.

10/04/2026

🤠Support from community is an important part of getting back on track for farmers and farming families. Apply for a Look Over the Farm Gate grant today.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing like:

🍖 BBQs, community meals or morning teas
🫧 Family fun days
🎶 Performances by musicians, comedians or magicians
🎨 Art workshops
✍️ Trivia nights
📽️ Film screenings
🗣️ Mental health speakers
🏃 Groups exercise sessions

🫶 Look Over the Farm Gate is managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government.

09/04/2026

Current allocation prices are now available across several zones.

If you would like to discuss the market or understand your options, contact the Water Partners team today.

08/04/2026

Free IFN membership for Ag Science students 🌱
Scan the QR code or head to our website to join — link in bio.

Know someone studying agriculture? Tag them below 👇

07/04/2026

Webinar - April 9 - Water Supply and Demand in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin Update.

Join us Thursday 9 April at 12 noon for the next Irrigation Webinar Series session. Hear the latest findings on water availability and irrigation demand for permanent horticulture in the Southern Murray Darling Basin.

Consultants from WSP will present updated modelling for permanent horticulture on projected future water demands, how demand compares with likely supply and what the findings mean for water markets and future risk planning.

The webinar will also cover new analysis on the 450GL Restoring Our Rivers purchase program under a range of climate scenarios.

DEECA Loddon Mallee Murray-Darling Basin Authority Hort Innovation Mallee Catchment Management Authority

31/03/2026

REMINDER - 11 am today.

Just 48 hours to go.

How can growers make confident fertiliser decisions when inputs are tight?

Join our GRDC Grains Research Update online this Wednesday with Chris Dowling (Back Paddock Company), Geoff Fosbery (Farm Focus Consultants) and Lindsay Bell (CSIRO) for practical insights on budgeting, allocation and nitrogen decisions you can apply this season.

📅 Wed 1 April
⏰ 11am-12pm AEDT

Register: https://bit.ly/4bGnHau

30/03/2026

FREE WEBINAR - GRDC - SPREADING YOUR FERTILISER BUDGET FURTHER - APRIL 1 - 11am - 12pm.

Join Chris Dowling - Back Paddock, Geoff Fosbery - Farm Focus Consultants, and Lindsay Bell - CSIRO for a practical session on fertiliser budgeting and allocation.

They'll cover the most relevant soil test measures and what they mean, followed by rules of thumb for decisions around allocating scarce fertiliser supplies including refining crop nitrogen strategies and how paddock history and crop type influence decisions.

They'll also clarify how timing and placement of nitrogen becomes critical when supply is limited. This short, focused session will provide guidance on spreading your fertiliser further this season.

Follow this link for further details and to register: https://grdc.com.au/events/list/2026/04/grdc-grains-research-update,-online-spreading-your-fertiliser-budget-further =7ff07989-3125-46c2-8e0a-159c4bc50000
Grains Research and Development Corporation

We'll clarify how timing and placement becomes critical when supply is limited. This short, focused session on will provide guidance on spreading your fertiliser further this season.

10/03/2026

New date for Drip Irrigation Field Day, which was rescheduled due to the recent rain

08/03/2026

Apply now for a 2027 Nuffield Scholarship in the grains industry!

What's included?

• 15-weeks of purposeful learning and international travel with a $40,000 bursary
• Research a topic that will add value to your business, community and industry
• Travel overseas to see innovative businesses and identify new best practices
• Join a global network of alumni – over 500 scholars in Australia and 2,000 worldwide

Apply now: https://bit.ly/4u5IY5Z

Nuffield Australia

08/03/2026

Strong engagement from growers and industry at the IFN Winter Crop Trials Results Discussion on Thursday.

Damian presented results from the 2025 Winter Crops Trials, including wheat varieties (short and long season types), barley, canola, and faba beans, providing growers with valuable local data to support variety selection and crop planning for upcoming seasons.

The session also highlighted several important research initiatives currently underway, including the RiskWi$e and C4 Milk projects.

Ri$kwise is a project designed to help Australian grain growers better understand and manage the risk-reward relationships of their on-farm decisions.

C4 Milk is focused on developing profitable, high-forage feeding systems for dairy farmers in Northern Victoria, Queensland, and northern New South Wales. The project aims to increase the use of C4 tropical grasses (such as corn and millet) to boost milk production from forage and reduce reliance on expensive purchased concentrates.

Events like this play an important role in connecting growers, researchers and industry, ensuring research outcomes are shared, discussed and applied in real farming systems.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. Cadell on the Murray Motel

04/03/2026