BCG Expo a huge success!!

More than 500 farmers and well over 200 exhibitors flocked to the Birchip Cropping Group Grains Research Expo held last Thursday 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. “Changing Climate, Changing Practices” 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. Farmers in the school courtyard enjoying the breakfast by Monsanto.

The DPI Crop Pathology team helped farmers identify crop diseases while Dr Ken Henry and Judy Bellati had crop eating insects under the microscope for farmers to see close up. Peter Botta DPI, and Tim Sait were kept on their feet, as farmers discussed grain storage strategies and the grain marketing area was constantly full with representatives from all of the major grain marketing bodies.

As expected the ‘Communicating Climate Change Area’ in the exhibition hall was jam packed as researchers and leading scientists discussed what drives the climate in our region, opportunities with carbon and how farmers can mitigate and adapt practices. Peter McIntosh finished the climate sessions by discussing the season to date and presenting his forecast for the remainder of the year.

Farmers were signing up for GPS, EM 38 mapping and auto-steer in the Precision Agriculture area, while in the Banking and Finance section they were negotiating interest rates and improved banking options for the new financial year.

“It was the best Expo I have ever attended”; “a fantastic line up of researchers and discussion sessions”; “I caught up with many friends and “the grain marketing session was particularly informative” were just a few of the comments from farmers who attended the day.

BCG Chairman, Ian McClelland, OAM reiterated the importance of staging events such as the Grains Research Expo specifically targeting farmers. ‘BCG is proud to provide this opportunity for all farmers to learn about the latest in industry trends and have direct access to leading researchers. Furthermore, the BCG Expo allows for one-on-one conversations with farmers seeking support for their own particular decisions”. Bernard Noonan from DPI talks to Kooloonong farmer, Brad McQueen about managing soil health at the 'Healthy Soils' booth.

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