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Farmers out in force at BCG Grains Research Expo
The 2006 BCG Grains Research Expo – ‘Grain Matter’ has been hailed as a resounding success.
Sixty-one research and sponsor exhibitors were on-site to display new and relevant information for growers and to engage in one-on-one conversations with regional farmers. The exhibitions were complemented by three discussion sessions that attracted large audiences to listen to vital information provided by our industry leaders.
During breakfast at the Expo, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Bob Cameron, officially opened the event and the Farming Systems Trial publication was launched by Tony Eyres (GGA), Paul Barclay and Harm van Rees. The Expo also provided an opportunity to launch the Perennial Profit in the Mallee Wimmera project and the official handover to BCG by CASE IH O’Connors of the MXU 125 Maxxum tractor for the BCG trials team.
A touch of live jazz ensured that farmer members and exhibitors made the most of networking opportunities whilst Story Book animal farm kept the small folk in attendance enthralled. All eyes were in the skies when soloist roulette screamed through the heavens above with his spectacular maneuvers.
Future agricultural research, the Single Desk wheat marketing arrangement and Climate were the hot topics at this year’s BCG Grains Research Expo- Grain Matter, held June 29 2006 at the Birchip P-12 School. All three discussion sessions were full with over 200 people attending each forum.
The use of cereal crop residues for bio-fuel production will be a necessity if the Australian bio-fuel industry is to be successful according to Trevor Stevenson, Associate Professor of Plant Biotechnology at the School of Applied Sciences RMIT University. Mr Stevenson said that there is real opportunity in the use of GM technology to grow cereal plants that already have the characteristics to speed up the cellulose breakdown process necessary for bio-fuel production. This technology however could not be developed further given current GM regulations and would need to be debated further within the Australian Grains Industry.
One of the event’s most stimulating debates involved four grains industry leaders discussing ‘The single desk: what should the future bring?' Facilitated by Peter Flaherty, Editor of The Weekly Times, the discussion panel included David Johnson, AWB Pool Manager, Malcolm Bartholomaeus, Principal of Callum Downs, Ron Storey, owner of Australian Crop Forecasters and Michael Iwaniw Managing Director ABB. The panel discussed a range of issues regarding the future single desk. This session provided an excellent exchange of ideas between grain growers and industry leaders.
Despite the recent dry climate conditions weather was still a very popular topic at the Grains Research Expo. The 'Understanding the Indian Ocean and Cut Off Lows' session with Peter McIntosh who has studied the Indian Ocean and the effect of cut off low weather systems on rainfall in the southern Mallee for a number of years created much discussion. Peter highlighted that it is these cut off low systems that result in rainfall for the Victorian Mallee region.
Listen to audio recordings of the discussion sessions
The Expo Dinner, held on the evening of 28th June, attracted 195 guests. Dinner speaker Linda Beilharz, who was the first Australian woman to ski from the edge of Antarctic to the South Pole, was most entertaining and inspirational.
BCG is proud to be able to offer up-to-date information and the latest innovations through this annual expo to all farmers in the Mallee Wimmera regions.
View photos of the day in Action Snaps