Eastern Murray Valley

Josh Small (Stud Park)

The Eastern Murray Valley Focus Site is the newest, having been established after CY24 on the farm of Josh and Emily Small. The inaugural meeting held July of 2024 had 13 participants (two agronomists, nine growers and two farm hands).

Winners of the SunRice Grower of the Year in 2024, Josh and Emily have proactively, efficiently and sustainably developed their mixed irrigation farm.

As active members of the Riverina rice industry, the Smalls have welcomed Rice Extension and the Reference Group to their property creating a collaborative and community centric approach to growing.

The EMV Focus Site is also a testing site for other DPI research projects, providing additional data and insights beyond those available on the Rice Dashboard.

The EMV Reference Group has thoroughly discussed the impact of aerial and drill sowing techniques on yield, with aerial sowing having performed consistently and significantly better. The group have been exploring contributing factors and incorporating further experimentations and comparisons in sowing techniques for the upcoming season.

In CY25, Josh’s yields exceed expectations with their second year Rice on Rice Sherpa achieving the best yield.

Aerial view of cultivated Riverina farmland with green crops and brown fields separated by roads and irrigation channels under a clear blue sky.
Outline icon of a notepad with a pencil.
Black and white icon of a video player with a play button in the center and a magnifying glass overlay.
Group of people outdoors near a yellow tent on a dirt path, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
Group of people in outdoor meeting, sitting on chairs in a semi-circle, with parked trucks and trees in the background on a sunny day.
Aerial view of green agricultural fields divided by dirt roads in a rural area.