Irrigation experts reveal research

By Lua Ikenasio

Mar 3, 2025

Guests from within the irrigation industry gathered to learn from the latest IFN findings. Photo by Jordan Townrow

Irrigation farmers, agronomists and consultants gathered in Moama on Friday to attend the Irrigation Farmers Network research results day event.

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The event provided insight into the various projects the IFN has been working on and the results its tests yielded.

IFN research manager Damian Jones led the discussions on the day. Photo by Jordan Townrow

The presentation was led by IFN research manager Damian Jones, who touched on various topics including the IFN’s irrigated variety trials, creating a flexible irrigated farming system and mitigating risk in changing season.

Holbrook Landcare Network agricultural project officer Jess Armstrong attended the event on behalf of HLN and the GRDC Risk-Wise project — a project that looks at farmers’ approaches to risk.

HLN is part of the decision-making stream of the Risk-Wise project and works alongside other NSW organisations including the IFN.

Holbrook Landcare Network agricultural project officer Jess Armstrong helped facilitate conversations on the day. Photo by Jordan Townrow

Ms Armstrong said the day gave important insight that would help shape future resources created through the project.

“Today’s been a really good day ... it’s all very interesting,” she said.

“It's part of our obligation in this project to come along and to be a fly on the wall and help facilitate these discussions around risk and collect those insights.

“(We) drill down into how and why farmers make the decisions that they do and what makes them risk-averse versus having a higher appetite for risk.

“Over the course of this project, we gather all of these insights from grain growers so that we can better design resources and frameworks for different matrixes that are more fit for purpose for the way that farmers think.”

IFN provided lunch on the day for all guests to enjoy. Photo by Jordan Townrow

IFN’s new general manager and Moama resident Matthew O’Farrell also attended the event, his first since officially taking on the role on Wednesday, February 12.

Mr O’Farrell said the new role had been easy to adjust to so far.

“Coming into the role has felt very comfortable for me,” he said.

“I understand the people, I understand the pressures on individuals and I have also worked at Goulburn-Murray Water in their strategy and policy area, so I understand a lot of the high-level changes that are impacting people.

“I’ve also been an irrigation farmer for the past 20 years, so I live and breathe and understand what the (IFN) talk about.”