650 attend 2007 BCG Grains Research Expo

Four hundred and twenty farmers and well over 200 exhibitors flocked to the 2007 BCG Grains Research Expo held on 5 July at the Birchip P-12 School. The exhibition hall was a hive of activity as farmers challenged researchers, caught up with fellow farmers, and gathered knowledge which would contribute to increasing their profitability by $10/ha. 'Decisions into Dollars' was the major theme for the day and BCG staff worked hard to ensure that all farmers who attended went home armed with as much information as possible.

The crop pathology team helped farmers identify crop diseases while Dr Paul Umina had crop eating insects under the microscope for farmers to see close up. Peter Botta, DPI, and Tim Sait of Bunker Bags were kept on their feet as farmers discussed grain storage strategies, while next door, the grain marketing area was constantly full with representatives from all of the major grain marketing bodies. As expected, the weather and climate area of the exhibition hall was jam-packed as farmers discussed the seasonal outlook with Dr David Stephens, the Bureau of Meteorology, Dr Mike Pook, and Dr James Risbey (Audio available). DeAnne Price, DPI Managing Climate Variability division, had over 150 farmers sign up for the new electronic newsletter 'The Break'.

Farmers were signing up for GPS, EM38 mapping and auto-steer in the precision agriculture area, while in the banking and finance section they were negotiating new interest rates and improved banking options for the new financial year.

David Shannon, GRDC southern panel Chairman, launched the new subsoil limitation CD and Dennis O'Connor handed the keys of a new JX80 Case Tractor to BCG's Research Coordinator, Cherie Reilly.

"It was the best Expo I have been to for years", "Fantastic line-up of researchers", "I went hoarse from talking so much" and "Graham Betts saved me $10/ha alone today", were just a few of the comments from farmers who attended the day.

BCG Chairman, Ian McClelland said that he hoped farmers enjoyed the day and walked away with some key information. He thanked the BCG team as well as all the local volunteers who helped make the day such a huge success.

For information about the day or to get in touch with any of the exhibitors, please contact BCG on 03 5492 2787.

Jonathan Starks, BCG, discuss the Diversity in a Piped System project.	Charles Sturt University staff explain herbicide resistance testing and research.

What was on at the 2007 BCG Grains Research Expo?