VICTORIA and the southern Riverina are expected to account for almost half the nation's soyabean production this year.
Soy Australia Ltd forecast production of about 17,500 tonnes of the oilseed in the two regions.
Total Australian production has been tipped to be 39,400 tonnes - well below the 64,000 tonnes harvested last year.
Severe weather in northern Australia has reduced soyabean plantings and yields in Queensland and northern NSW.
Deni meeting
IAN Lea's Superior Seed Co is holding its annual pre-season cropping meeting at the Deniliquin Club tomorrow night.
One of the key speakers will be last year's NSW Conservation Farmer of the Year Michael Pfitzner, who will talk on stubble management options.
Mr Pfitzner and his wife, Larissa, run a mixed farm 35km north of Griffith.
Other speakers include Pulse Australia's Trevor Bray and AWB Seeds territory manager Rob Gill.
The forum begins with a sausage sizzle at 7pm, followed by talks at 8pm.
For more information phone, Ian Lea on 0428 629 265.
Research guide
THE Grains Research and Development Corporation has released a guide to improve communication skills in farming families and their advisers.
GRDC managing director Peter Reading said the guide was developed in response to an identified need for a communication resource to help farmers.
"It draws on family structures and plans emanating from family meetings, how they played out in reality and how they might guide future plans," Mr Reading said.
"It also provides usable tools to put into practice that will enhance communication."
New rice variety
A NEW cold-tolerant rice variety will be released at the industry's annual field day at Jerilderie in NSW next Wednesday.
The yrm69 variety will be launched and renamed at the end of the field day at Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd's research site at Old Coree, near Jerilderie.
Growers can see trials of the new variety and four other research plots.
Industry and Investment NSW rice farming systems leader John Lacy said the new variety had 2C better resistance than current rice varieties.
It was bred by rice breeders Peter Snell and Russell Reinke,
The field day, expected to be attended by 200 growers, begins at 9.15am and ends with lunch.
Researcher honoured
UNIVERSITY of Melbourne weed researcher Roger Cousens has been awarded honorary membership of the Weed Science Society of America.
Prof Cousens was recognised for his 27 years of work on the ecology and biology of weeds.
- Send your grain news to Peter Hemphill, The Weekly Times, PO Box 14999, Melbourne, 8001, email to hemphillp@theweeklytimes.com.au or fax it to (03) 9292 2697.
