Agronomy and Farming Systems
Below is a list of BCG's trial sites and their locations. For more information about each of the sites either follow the linksor contact the BCG via any of the contact details listed on our Contact Us page.
| Trial Site | Location |
|---|---|
|
Main site |
Each year the main and satellitesites change location to different soil types.Herbicides and fertilisers are tested, new and old varieties are planted, and different agronomic problems are investigated.In 2009, our main site is located onChris and JaniceKelly's property situated between Watchupga and Woomelang on theSunraysia Hwy. The site will focus on the following: myth busters - alternate products for nutrition; pre-emergent evaluation on Bromegrass; fungicide products; Barley Agronomy: Bromegrass and imi-tolerant Barley; discs Vs knife points established trial; Brassica variety evaluation; and imi-tolerant Mustard evaluation. |
| 75km south of Birchip, the southern field day site will focus on the following: myth busters - alternate products for nutrition; pre-emergent evaluation on ryegrass; Barley Agronomy: pre-emergent herbicides by row spacing by varieties; discs Vs knife points establishment trial; Brassica variety evaluation; and imi-tolerant Mustard evaluation. | |
|
Nitrogen Management |
Part of a national network of trials conducted with Foundation for Arable Research (FAR, NZ), this trial investigates nitrogen timing strategies and the use of crop sensors to optimise nitrogen use in wheat. |
|
Water Use Efficiency site |
This trial site will investigate three specific areas relating to water use efficiency: moisture conservation, break crops and biochar. The moisture conservation trial will examine the best practices for conserving moisture on heavy and light soil types over the summer months.The break crops trial aims to identify thebenefit of break crops and the best options for the Wimmera-Mallee. The biochar trial aims at assessing the advantage of biochar for carbon sequestration in a replicated trial in collaboration with the DPI. |
| In 2009 thislong-termtrial enters its ninth year of production. The Flexible Farming Systems site is located at Jil Jil, 26km north of Birchip (15ha).On this site, rotation studies are undertaken comparing four common farming systems. | |
|
Herbicide trial |
Details to be posted shortly. |
| In 2009, four experimental sites will be established in farmer paddocks in the Rainbow district. These paddocks will be sown as per usual farming practice, and following crop establishment, an area will be fenced off and grazed according to best practice. Sheep weight gain and condition will be recorded, as well as crop dry-matter accumulation and grain yield in grazed and un-grazed areas. | |
| This trial site will address weed management limitations encountered with low soil disturbance disc seeders in zero-till cropping systems. It will demonstrate and evaluate the benefits of combining novel pre-emergent herbicides with more competitive crop canopies enabled by disc seeders. | |
| The aim of this trial site is to identify suitable Lucerne varieties for the Mallee and test if there are differences in establishment, persistence and production between them. |