NSW DPI advisory staff based at Dareton undertake a broad range of programs focused on improving farm management practices. Key areas include citrus, viticulture, and vegetables; and irrigation and salinity management. In addition to horticulture, extension programs are also conducted on pastures and rangelands management and animal health management.

Citrus

The citrus extension program aims to deliver the most up to date and progressive information on citrus growing practices to the citrus industry. Extension programs include the regular delivery of workshops on pruning, nutrition and grafting.  These workshops are now being extended to include soil management and fertigation.  Monthly fax and email bulletins are also provided to all citrus growers regarding topical citrus issues via a national Horticulture Australia Limited funded "Season update" project coordinated by the Australian Citrus Growers organisation.

Vegetables

A soil moisture meter (potentiometer) in potato crop in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

The vegetable industry extension services focus on research and development of best management practices, product quality and supply chain improvements, technology transfer and implementation of environmental and quality assurance practices.

Irrigator Extension Program

The irrigator education program conducted at Dareton has been one of the most successful extension programs to be provided by NSW DPI reaching approximately 70% of the irrigation community in the lower Murray Darling. To date 550 irrigators (out of 800) have attended the three day course held regularly since 1996.

The course has helped stimulate best practice in three areas:

• (1) planning irrigation development using tools such as irrigation and drainage management plans;
• (2) scheduling irrigations using more sophisticated scheduling tools; and
• (3) upgrading to more efficient irrigation systems.

Provision of Plant Breeding Material

Over the past five years the station has expanded its role in supplying high health status propagating material with the establishment of grapevine rootstock and scion plantings for use by the viticultural industries. The Victorian and Murray Valley Vine Improvement Association own these plantings with day-to-day cultural operations carried out by Dareton farm staff under an agreement with NSW DPI. The station has also expanded its role in germplasm maintenance with establishment of the National Germplasm Collection of Grapevine Varieties for the Australian Vine Improvement Association.