Recent rain has helped some paddocks grow a little greener, but one MIA irrigator is worried it will mean they lose access to the Water for Fodder program.
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The Commonwealth Government program was the result of a deal with South Australia to deliver vital water to irrigators.
The water is designed to be used for growing pasture or fodder for livestock.
However, one Murrumbidgee irrigation family may have to forgo water from the program due to their concerns about the delivery arrangements.
Tanya and Matt Ginns were among the farmers to receive 50 megalitres under the Water for Fodder program.
Their farm is located at Murrami, and since 2012 they have relied upon the temporary water market because the farm came with no entitlements.
Recent rainfall means that using the entitlements from the Water for Fodder program wouldn't be the most efficient use.
I think this again exposes loopholes which leave food producers at the bottom of the pecking order.
- Murrami irrigator Tanya Ginns
A Murrumbidgee Irrigation spokesman said 34 of their customers were successful in the Water for Fodder ballot but only 31 took up the offer.
"MI supported the opportunity for MI customers to participate in the program committing to deliver water to any successful customer using existing conveyance allowances," the spokesman said.
The 31 irrigators who received water under the program had those entitlements transferred to Murrumbidgee Irrigation's Water Access Licence and were then transferred into the irrigators' accounts.
"This is the same process that was followed for all MI customers who participated in the program."
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Meanwhile, the federal government has allowed for irrigators to 'carry over' the water farmers received from the program, however carry over rules are determined by the NSW Government.
It's not clear what will mean for irrigators without permanent entitlements.
"Our enterprise, based around purchasing on the temporary market, seems to go from bad to worse," Mrs Ginns said.
"I think this again exposes loopholes which leave food producers at the bottom of the pecking order.
"All we want to do is produce food for domestic and export markets, but all we seem to get is politicians and their bureaucracies putting hurdles in front of us.
"As a nation, we probably need to ask an important question: Do we want successful food production in our region, which used to be the 'food bowl'?"
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
