Conference Partners

The Australian Rice Conference is hosted by the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia, in partnership with the SunRice Group and the AgriFutures Rice Program.

Ricegrowers' Association

The Ricegrowers' Association of Australia Inc. (RGA) represents voluntary members. The RGA supports and advocates for ricegrowers on issues affecting the viability of their business and communities. The RGA was formed in 1930 during the early years of the rice industry, turning a small group of pioneering rice growers into an effective and cohesive force. Today, the RGA provides a strong, united voice for all growers and the broader Australian rice industry. The RGA represents the interests of rice growers, and provides services to members, to ensure they can provide a legacy for their children, create employment in their districts and grow quality rice. With rice still the mainstay of many Riverina towns, it is important that RGA members have a strong and effective representation in the three key policy areas of Water, Environmental Sustainability and Productivity and Industry Affairs.

SunRice Group

The SunRice Group is an ASX-listed, global food business and one of Australia’s leading branded food exporters. With roots in Australia’s food bowl, the company was formed in 1950 when a group of rice growers pooled their resources in the Riverina region of New South Wales to build a single rice mill. Today, the SunRice Group has grown into one of the largest rice food companies in the world, comprising multiple businesses, assets and operations across Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, the United States, the Pacific Islands and Asia. For over 70 years, they have been transforming nature’s goodness into healthy, enjoyable and nutritious foods that meet the needs of discerning consumers around the world. In addition to their much-loved rice foods, we offer a diverse portfolio of gourmet, ‘free from’ food products and animal feeds and nutrition. SunRice Group's 35 major brands are sold in 50 global markets and they hold leading brand positions in 14 countries.

AgriFutures Rice Program

The AgriFutures Rice Program invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) to maintain the industry’s competitiveness and improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the Australian rice industry. With the support of the Australian rice industry, the Program drives RD&E focused on the production of new rice varieties compatible with a water productivity target of 1.5t/ML by 2026. This is coupled with targeted agronomy and farming system focused activities, extension activities focused on increasing adoption and uptake of technology, and innovation in partnership with industry. All investment in the AgriFutures Rice Program is guided by the Rice Program Strategic RD&E Plan (2021-2026) which has been developed in consultation with industry to outline the priorities and objectives for RD&E.

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Koshi Sponsor

Honestly Riverina is proud to represent a new era of rice in Australia, one grounded in community, sustainability, and transparency. Born in the heart of the Riverina, our mission is simple: to grow and mill the highest quality Australian rice, while doing right by our land and the people who farm it. Developed by a collective of local growers with deep roots in the region, we’re not just here to make rice, we’re here to reshape the way it’s grown, shared, and celebrated across the country. Our commitment to sustainability is at the core of everything we do. From pioneering precision farming techniques to tapping into our neighbouring solar farm for energy, we’re taking real steps toward a net-zero future. This isn’t just about being cleaner, it’s about being smarter, more responsible, and leading the Australian rice industry into the next generation. This month marks a major milestone as Honestly Riverina officially launches into Coles supermarkets nationwide under our flagship brand, Nice Rice. This only complements the national ranging in Woolworths and Independents. For a brand built from paddock to plate with integrity, the support from Australia’s biggest retailers is proof that consumers are ready for a better rice option. One that’s grown in Australian soil, by Australian hands, using some of the most water-efficient and environmentally conscious methods in the world. Whether it’s for your midweek stir-fry or Sunday sushi night, our rice is now more accessible than ever, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with the nation. To support this exciting next chapter, we’ve also opened the doors to our new state-of-the-art rice mill in Jerilderie, NSW. Purpose-built for the future, this facility brings milling back to our region, boosting jobs, strengthening our local economy, and giving us full control over the quality and sustainability of every grain. With full traceability, minimal environmental impact, and a team of passionate locals behind every step, Honestly Riverina is here to make rice better from the ground up.

Topaz Sponsors

Rice Breeding Australia Ltd is committed to the long-term future of Australia and its rice industry. Our team is driven towards the improvement of water productivity and rates of genetic gain in rice breeding through state-of-the-art technologies and research. Based in Leeton NSW, we’ve come together to develop new rice varieties to spearhead Australia’s rice industry into an even more successful future. Purpose To develop and deliver new and improved rice varieties that will enhance the profitability and sustainability of Australian Rice Growers. Vision To deliver rice varieties that meet consumer preferences whilst enabling Australian rice growers to establish a sustainable and profitable farming system by 2030.

Yenda Producers Co-operative Society Ltd, also known as Yenda Prods, has been operating since 1925. Focusing on primary production, Yenda Prods operates from six locations within the MIA and North Eastern Victoria. As one of the longest operating co-operatives in Australia, Yenda Prods has a focus on supporting and servicing its members to ensure that they maximise a return on their investment whilst ensuring that sustainability is a key focus of their decision making. This is encompassed in the co-op’s mission to promote a co-operative approach by providing specialised services and advice to our members and delivering them safely and sustainably. Yenda Prods is a proud long-term supporter within the rice industry. Our involvement with the rice industry covers advisory services through our team of tertiary qualified agronomists, on farm services including spreading, sowing and cartage of rice, and support towards field days. Our agronomists, and the co-op, embrace new technology within its practices to ensure that our members are at the forefront of decision making for their farming enterprises. Yenda Prods looks forward to continuing its support of the rice industry in years to come and is proud to be a key supporter of this year’s rice conference, held in the heart of the rice-growing area of Australia.

Matilda Sponsors

Intersales has been in business since the 1950s, and since that time, has grown to over four locations and counting. Because we service multiple industries - agriculture, construction, and recreation - we offer over 23 product lines to meet the needs of our customers. Our top brands include Case IH, JCB, MacDon, Croplands, Horsch, Polaris, Westfield, Agrispread, Horwood Bagshaw, Flexicoil and Cleverdon Comb Trailers to name a few. As the equipment industry has evolved, Intersales has kept pace by training staff and investigating cutting-edge solutions for their customers like autonomous agriculture vehicles, precision sprayers, high performing implements, planters, top performing harvesting equipment and fleet management solutions. Intersales recognises product relability is a key decision point, and to minimise any cost of downtime we prioritise breakdown service 7 days a week. With a wide variety of work available, Intersales are well placed to offer staff progressive opportunities within the business. Our continued business success comes from investing in staff, following industry trends and fulfilling customer needs.

For many agribusiness owners, succession planning is more than a business decision, it’s a deeply personal journey to protect legacy, empower the next generation, and ensure long-term business sustainability. As farms and agricultural enterprises grow in complexity, families are taking charge of their futures to ensure a smooth leadership and ownership transition. At RSM, we walk alongside farming families as trusted advisors, helping them navigate the emotional, financial, and operational challenges of transition. With deep roots in the agribusiness sector, we bring clarity to complex decisions, whether it’s identifying future leaders, structuring tax-effective ownership transfers, or aligning family and business priorities. Our people-first approach integrates strategic planning, business valuation, leadership development, and intergenerational wealth planning. We understand that every family and farm is unique, and we tailor our guidance to reflect your values, goals, and vision for the future.

WaterNSW operates the state’s dams, capturing and storing water, and then supplying it ready for distribution – for the environment, agriculture, industry and the community. With 41 major dams and hundreds of waterways across the state, we play a vital role at the source of the state’s water, delivering two thirds of all water used in NSW. WaterNSW is a State-Owned Corporation and one of the main government agencies tasked with managing water in NSW.

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Cater and Blumer continues to provide a wide range of legal and non-legal rural counseling services to the local region, with full time offices in Griffith and Leeton, and branch offices in Coleambally and Hillston. Cater & Blumer have rural clients from Jerilderie, Hay, Ivanhoe, Cobar, Lake Cargelligo, Narrandera and many other areas throughout the Riverina. We provide services for individuals and families as well as farming enterprises, small and large business and corporations. We pride ourselves on offering a personalized service to our clients. With our firm we have the breadth and wealth of experience to assist our clients with all their legal needs. Although we have a long and proud tradition providing quality legal services within our region, we see ourselves as a progressive firm. The laws, and our client’s needs, are in a constant state of change. We embrace these changes continually strive to improve the quality of service and advice we provide our clients.

Deniliquin Freighters is a prominent Australian transport company specializing in agribusiness logistics. With a deep commitment to regional communities, the company offers tailored freight services to meet diverse client needs.

Sherpa Sponsors

#1 Victorian university for graduate employment As one of Australia's leading, most progressive universities, Deakin has built a strong reputation for both excellence in education that leads to employability and research that has a positive real-world impact.

Corteva Agriscience™ is the only major agriscience company completely dedicated to agriculture. By combining the strengths of DuPont Pioneer, DuPont Crop Protection and Dow AgroSciences, we've harnessed agriculture's brightest minds and expertise gained over two centuries of scientific achievement.

We are one of the largest private irrigation companies in Australia serving over 3,093 landholdings that is owned by over 2,300 shareholder customers within an area of 378,911 hectares. The irrigation water and drainage services we provide have helped create a diverse and highly productive agricultural region known as the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA). The vibrant communities of the MIA offer a range of education, arts, entertainment, sports and recreational activities.

For over thirty years, Padman Stops have been dedicated to saving farmers water, time and money.As our offerings have expanded, we now operate as different companies within the Padman Group. All products and services within the Padman Group are 100% Australian family owned and operated.

For over 65 years, Bruno Altin & Co have been manufacturing pre-cast concrete products for government, commercial, industrial and civil developments.

Viand Sponsors

Nutrien Ag Solutions is an integral part of the Australian agricultural industry. Our generations of experience have made us experts in a range of different farming areas, including precision farming services, marketing livestock and wool, agricultural services, water, finance, insurance, merchandise and real estate. Nationally, we're the largest distributor of both farming supplies and fertiliser in Australia and provide unparalleled access to solutions. Our team of more than 4,000 farming experts are committed to upholding the mission and values that make us the ag retailer of the future. After decades of serving Australian farmers as separate companies, Ruralco and Landmark combined in 2019 to become Nutrien Ag Solutions, marking a new era in Australian ag retail.

Murray Irrigation Limited is a public company that operates Australia’s largest private water supply network. Established in 1995, Murray Irrigation is a not-for-profit company owned by our shareholders, who are mostly food-producing irrigation farmers. We deliver water and services to landholdings and the environment via gravity fed earthen channels within the NSW Murray Regulated River Water Source across the southern Riverina.

From our humble agricultural roots, to today as the world’s leading food and agribusiness bank, we remain true to our cooperative heritage and values. We are committed to supporting the innovative farmers and agribusinesses who put food on our tables every day, to grow more with less. Our aim, in short, is to improve the prosperity of farmers and rural communities everywhere.

Local Land Services is a regional-focused NSW Government agency delivering quality customer services to farmers, landholders and the wider community. We help people make better decisions about the land they manage and assist rural and regional communities to be profitable and sustainable into the future.

Elders Rural Services supports primary producers across Australia with products and trusted advice across the full production cycle. No matter your industry - livestock, cropping or wool, we help you maximise your agribusiness.

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) is responsible for purchasing and managing water for environmental purposes in Australia. Established by the Commonwealth Government, it holds the largest portfolio of environmental water in New South Wales, supporting over 16,000 GL of water delivered since 2009 and contributing to the health of 26,000 km of waterways. The CEWH works in partnership with various stakeholders, including First Nations people, to ensure effective environmental watering across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Telstra is Australia’s leading telecommunications and technology company. It offers a full range of communications services and competes in all telecommunications markets. In Australia, Telstra provides 18.8 million retail mobile services, 3.8 million retail fixed bundles and standalone data services, and 960,000 retail fixed standalone voice services. Telstra is the only communications company in Australia that can provide customers with a truly integrated telecommunications experience across fixed line, mobiles, broadband, information, transaction and search, and pay TV.

Waterfind is an Australian owned and operated family business, founded in 2003, specialising in water brokering, consulting and water transfer processing. Our online water market allows you to buy or sell water 24/7. Or contact a water market specialist located in Adelaide, Berri, Brisbane, and Griffith to discuss your water requirements.

SpraySMART is a nationally accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO 40867) that delivers high-quality training in the safe application of pesticides and veterinary chemicals. Established by industry professionals, our aim is to empower others in the field to improve work practices and ensure safe, compliant chemical use. We offer a range of nationally recognised courses, helping industry professionals meet regulatory standards and enhance their expertise in safe chemical application.

The Rice Marketing Board of New South Wales was established on 9 November 1928 under the Marketing of Primary Products Act 1927. Its primary purpose is to ensure the best possible monetary return to rice growers while maintaining orderly marketing. Recently, it has been announced that the board will be wound up by 1 July 2026, with any residual funds reinvested to benefit the NSW rice industry. Additionally, the Rice Marketing Amendment Bill 2024 has been passed, which will deregulate the NSW rice industry by 1 July 2025.