BCG's Northern Field Day receives strong support from the Mallee

Over 160 people supported BCG's first field day for the 2008 season held at Manangatang on Tuesday 19 August. The day provided a great opportunity for farmers in the region to discuss issues and challenges that have emerged during the season to date.

Field day discussion was focused around BCG's theme for the year, "Changing Climate, Changing Practices".

A highlight of the day was the discussion at the Risk Management trial. Farmers debated the merits of various approaches to managing inputs in wheat, from high input to low input strategies. Fiona Best, BCG Extension Manager, showcased the potential gross margins of each strategy. Fiona highlighted that up to $90/ha could have been saved by choosing a low input strategy in 2008, to achieve the same final yield, based on current conditions in the field day site paddock.

BCG's James Hunt and Fiona Best at the Risk Management trial (see our Action Snaps page for more photos from the day)

Fiona said, "The Managatang Field Day was a great day, full of discussion on a range of topics and the fantastic support of the event highlighted the importance of such applied research in the Mallee."

BCG would like to take this opportunity to thank the presenters, attending farmers and industry representatives, and the site host Brian Barry for all their support in making this day such a success.