A farmers dream - twelve weather researchers under one roof!

A farmers dream; over 12 climate researchers and weather forecasters from across Australia will be available at this years' BCG Grains Research Expo on Thursday 5 July 2007. They will talk to farmers about the latest thinking on weather forecasting and current climate models. Will it rain during the spring? What effect will climate change have on farming systems in the Mallee Wimmera? What are the best weather models to use? These, and more, will be questions farmers will be able to ask at this year's Expo.

Dr David Stephens from the University of Western Australia, as part of a GRDC project, has developed new indices to predict El Nino and La Nina events. His work particularly focuses on developing analogue years that farmers can use as a guide to support strategic decision making. Global and local factors have been related to rainfall from different parts of the country. David will be on site to talk to farmers about his 2007 analogue years and his thoughts on what the rest of the cropping season might hold in terms of rainfall.

Dr Peter McIntosh, Dr James Risbey and Dr Mike Pook from CSIRO Tasmania have been researching weather patterns that are linked with rainfall events in the Wimmera Mallee region of Victoria. One of the key findings has been that traditionally Birchip receives the majority of rainfall from weather events called 'cut off lows'. Their work is continuing and all three are keen to talk through their findings with Wimmera Mallee farmers at the Expo.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Dr Blair Trewin and Dr Brad Murphy will be showcasing the Bureau's Water and the Land website, known as WATL. They are keen to highlight some of the new functions on the website that farmers can access.

BCG's Yield Prophet^® Coordinator, James Hunt, will be available to show farmers how to use what is becoming one of the most innovative tools available to farmers, supporting nitrogen management and even marketing decisions. Farmers will be able to sit down one-on-one with James as he talks through how to use Yield Prophet. Dr Zvi Hochman, CSIRO Toowoomba, one of the brains behind the development of Yield Prophet will be at the Expo discussing the new developments in crop modelling and the implications for farmers.

DeAnne Price and Chris Sounness from DPI Horsham will be signing farmers up to "The Break", a very popular, FREE and valuable climate newsletter being used by the agricultural industry. The Break is produced as part of a Climate Variability and Risk Management project funded by Land and Water Australia.

What will climate change mean for farmers? Dr Peter Hayman from SARDI, is one of Australia's leading climate researchers into this very topical issue. How farming systems adapt and prepare for climate change is a question BCG knows will be on farmers' minds. Make sure you catch up with Peter at the Expo.

As part of the expo theme of Decisions into Dollars, all weather forecasters and climate researchers have been asked to outline to farmers how their work will improve profitability of Mallee Wimmera farmers by $10/ha.

Held at the Birchip P-12 School on Thursday 5 July 2007, the BCG Grains Research Expo will be one of the best agricultural events for the year. The event begins at 9am for breakfast and concludes at 4pm. Entry is $20 and FREE for BCG members.

As per BCG tradition an industry dinner will be held the evening before. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Dinner tickets can be reserved by contacting the BCG office.

Find out more about the Expo