About Us

  • Rice Extension integrates knowledge sharing, innovative thinking and a collaborative science-based approach to increase the adoption of research and tools for profitable and sustainable rice-based farming systems.

  • Put simply, our purpose is to make sure local rice farmers are equipped with all the tools, research and knowledge they need to grow the best crops possible.

    It is our job to:

    • COMMUNICATE research and development findings, farming systems, grower innovations and natural resource management information to growers and industries through our newsletter, this website, social media and other extension activities.

    • FACILITATE workshops, field days, farm walks, meetings and discussion groups at critical times for growers, advisors, researchers and industry stakeholders to share information.

    • SUPPORT the rice industry by promoting its credentials, developing and maintaining technical experts and driving new research and practice change through data-driven decisions.

    We work to increase growers’ understanding and access to data, benchmarks and tools that can drive informed on-farm decision making.

    Vision: ensure Australian rice growers are global leaders in sustainable rice-farming systems.

  • Rice Extension is funded by rice growers and the Australian Government through AgriFutures Australia. We are a collaboration between AgriFutures, SunRice and Ricegrowers Australia to create a single industry-wide extension structure, enabling targeted and individual information, advice and support for both existing and potential rice growers.

    We work closely with other industry stakeholders including government agencies, agronomists, private and public sector service providers, researchers and independent grower groups.

Meet The Team

Mark Groat

Manager of Grower Services and Rice Extension

Living and working in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA), Mark has been involved in the irrigation and rice industry for over 20 years. From an agronomic background, he has worked with numerous irrigated crops and water efficiency projects throughout eastern Australia at the farm and valley level.

Mark began with the SunRice Group’s Grower Services team in 2016, collaborating with growers, researchers and industry to enhance the rice-based farming system in the Riverina. He now leads the Rice Extension team continuing to work with local rice farmers.

In 2017, he received a Nuffield Scholarship to study farming systems and water use efficiency practices in temperate rice systems throughout different parts of the world.

+61 419 174 772

magroat@sunrice.com.au

Mark, Manager of Grower Services and Rice Extension, leading strategic support for Australian rice producers.
Andrew, Rice Extension Field Extension and Agronomy Officer, providing expert support to Australian rice growers.

Andrew Todd

Extension Officer

Andrew joined the Rice Extension team in 2024 and is based in the Leeton office. Having grown up in the area, Andrew developed a passion for all things agriculture from a young age and has pursued this throughout his career.

With a background in both agronomic and plant breeding Research and Development, working for various companies across central and southern NSW, he brings 18 years of field experience to the team.

Outside of work, Andrew and his wife farm rice with their family on their property in Murrami.

+61 474 516 911

antodd@sunrice.com.au

Siarne Deeves

Extension Officer

Originally from Leeton, Siarne grew up immersed in the local rice industry and was inspired by her mother’s nearly 40-year career in rice quality and appraisals. She holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, completed in 2022, and is currently studying a postgraduate degree in Agricultural Business Management.

After graduating, Siarne joined the NSW Department of Primary Industries, contributing to the National Variety Trials team with a focus on grain quality. She then worked at Rice Research Australia as a Technical Officer on a University of Queensland project investigating cold tolerance pre-breeding. In 2025, she joined the Rice Extension team, supporting growers and industry development across the Riverina.

Outside of work, Siarne enjoys fishing, camping, and spending time outdoors with her partner and their Border Collie.

+61 492 478 951

sdeeves@sunrice.com.au