Local experts appointed to help horticulture irrigators with decision making

The Murrumbidgee Horticulture Council has been contracted to help horticulture irrigators in the Riverina access the financial and agronomic information they need to make business decisions in the face of reduced water availability.

Through the project, growers are able to access one-on-one, free, confidential sessions with local Extension Providers who have a background in horticulture or finance.

Karen Hutchinson, Executive Director of the Murrumbidgee Horticulture Council, says the service is designed to help growers manage their businesses today, and plan for tomorrow.

“It’s not about making decisions for you – the Extension Providers are there to act as a sounding board, helping you to understand all the options available under current circumstances.

“There is a lot of information out there and they can also link you through to other services and potential funding,” Ms Hutchinson said.

The Extension Providers for the Murrumbidgee are:

• Maree Brown, who runs a broad acre dryland and irrigated mixed farming enterprise with her husband, and has been working with the NSW Government’s Natural Resources Advisory Council (NRAC) to encourage local women and young irrigators to be environmental stewards.

• Roger Hoare, who has a long history with the viticulture industry as a farm manager and vigneron, grape harvester and consultant. Roger has also been a representative on several industry associations and councils.

The project is being run by Horticulture Australia Limited in partnership with industry and supported by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Sunraysia irrigator, Tony Martin, is chair of the project’s Implementation Steering Committee. He says water scarcity is a major issue for irrigated horticulture in the Murray-Darling Basin.

“To ensure the profitability and sustainability of the industry, we need to give horticulture irrigators access to good agronomic and financial information,” Mr Martin said.

“There’s a lot of information out there from a variety of sources, and the Extension Providers have the knowledge and skills to help growers access information that is most relevant to them.

“The project is being run until the end of October across the southern Murray-Darling Basin, in the Goulburn Valley, Swan Hill, Sunraysia and South Australia as well as the Riverina.”

For more information, including contact details in other regions, go to the HAL website

The Murrumbidgee Horticulture Council represents the interests of the combined horticultural industries, and high security irrigators, in the Murrumbidgee Region.

Call 02 6964 2420, email email or contact individual Extension Providers to set up an appointment.

• Maree Brown, 0429 651 220,

• Roger Hoare, 0429 444 498,

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