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$80 million up for grabs!
BCG sets an $80 million dollar challenge for farmers across the Wimmera Mallee. BCG Chairman Ian McClelland said if the Birchip Cropping Group can help farmers within a 200km radius of Birchip increase profitability by $10/ha during the 2007 cropping season, it could easily equate to over $80 million dollars back in farmers pockets. This would give the Wimmera Mallee farming community a much needed boost in what some would describe as the most critical recovery year in farming history. Fiona Best, BCG Extension Coordinator.
The Wimmera Mallee cropping season has started with a bang, lifting hopes that 2007 could be the year to make some much needed financial returns. For the first time in six years farmers have across the region have received the perfect May break.
"All the stars are lining up." Mr McClelland said, "We have had a great sowing break, we have good soil N reserves, as well as good grain futures and livestock prices. The challenge now, is to make sure we continue to make good decisions throughout the season. This will involve managing disease, in-crop nutrition, problem weeds and managing grain price risk.
"Some aspects of farming will always be beyond our control such as wind, frost and drought, however there is so much information available that can help support farmers make decisions that it should be taken advantage of."
The BCG Grains Research Expo scheduled for 5 July 2007 is one of a series of events that the innovative farmer driven group will be holding during 2007 to help farmers meet the $10/ha challenge. The Expo will be held at the Birchip P-12 School and will be a key event for the region showcasing agricultural grains research from across Australia. Leading scientists from the research fields of climate, crop pathology, entomology, herbicide resistance and weed management along with precision agriculture, are keen to use the Expo as the opportunity to talk one on one with farmers and ground truth their work.
Farmers are encouraged to bring to the Expo any weeds, pests or diseases plants that they would like help identifying. Graham Betts will also holding be holding two sessions on 'how to increase the efficiency of your spray program by $10/ha, simply by getting your boom-spray set up right'.
The BGC Grains Research Expo will be preceded by an industry dinner on Wednesday 4 July which is sure to be a fantastic evening. This year there will be some amazing entertainment that everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy. Dinner bookings can be made by contacting the BCG office on 03 5492 2787.