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Hundreds find their piece of the puzzle at BCG Expo
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On Thursday 1 July, approximately 700 farmers, scientists and industry attended the BCG Grains Research Expo to find out the latest agronomic information and to share ideas. BCG’s Membership Officer Angela Liston said people came from across the Wimmera Mallee and beyond to participate.
“The discussion sessions proved very popular. This year we added another session and therefore we had three running concurrently throughout the day. They covered a diverse range of topics including locusts, livestock, new technology, climate, succession planning, grain marketing, pest management and gene technology. And as a twist, we also added a special gardening session.”
BCG Research Agronomist Simon Craig said farmers were particularly interested in the locust sessions: “Farmers were keen to find out what action will be taken by the Australian Plague Locust Commission and DPI. A key message was that landowners will need to stock up on the required chemicals. This means farmers need to work out what type and how much chemical to purchase. Growers need to pay particular attention to withholding periods as they can vary from crop to crop.”
The Expo, which was supported by GRDC, also drew a record number of exhibitors with 91 on site to speak with farmers about grain marketing, climate and weather, precision agriculture and crop varieties. Simon Crane from AWB Seeds commented: “The Expo provided a fantastic environment to interact with growers. It was great to be able to find out what farmers are experiencing in their paddocks. This information helps us to better service the region.”
The BCG team is now gearing up for their next suite of events which include the GRDC Farmer Updates, Soil to Grain Workshop with Nick Poole, Precision Agriculture Crop Walk, Women’s Agronomy Group, Integrated Pest Management Workshop and Main Field Day. For further information on these events please contact the BCG office on (03) 5492 2787 or visit www.bcg.org.au.
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| Merna Curnow (GRDC), David Shannon (GRDC), and Alexandra Gartmann (BCG), open the Expo. | CASE IH O'Connors hand over two new tractors, fitted with 2cm guidance at BCG Expo. | Chris Adriaansen, Director of APLC, speaking with farmers in the locust session. | Exhibitors at the 2010 Grains Research Expo. |
This year the nationally recognised BCG Grains Research Expo celebrates 15 years of successfully presenting the latest agronomic information to growers. To be held on Thursday 1 July at the Birchip P – 12 School the expo will provide timely, relevant research and information covering a broad range of topics from insect and weed control to livestock and equipment technology.
Local farmer Andrew Barber commented: “It’s great to have such a renowned event in our own backyard. The quality and relevance of the information delivered means that I gain a better understanding of the issues I’m currently dealing with on-farm. It gives me confidence when making decisions.”
The BCG team is proud to have developed such a valuable event and endeavours to make each expo better than the last. BCG’s Events Manager Margaret O’Keefe commented: “We are thrilled to have been able to deliver this event to the region for the last 15 years. We pride ourselves on building each expo on the success of the last, talking with farmers from across the Wimmera Mallee about what topics and issues are of most importance to them, then incorporating this feedback into expo discussion sessions. This means that year after year the expo provides pertinent information that’s delivered when it’s most needed.”
The BCG Grains Research Expo starts at 8.30am on Thursday 1 July. Entry for BCG Members is FREE, non members $20. For more information contact the BCG office on (03) 5492 2787.
If you would like to exhibit at this flagship event, please contact Margaret O’Keefe. margaret@bcg.org.au
The BCG Expo dinner is on Wednesday night 30 June. For dinner bookings please email info@bcg.org.au or call 5492 2787.
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| Yield Prophet Coordinator Tim McClelland talking with Alex Morrison at the 2009 Grains Research Expo. |
Expo Program
8.30am FREE breakfast – courtyard
9.30am Official opening – Ian McClelland BCG Chairman
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The Yitpi Room |
The Lincoln Room |
The Correll Room |
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10.00am |
Locusts: the good, the bad and the ugly |
Grain marketing |
Reading the weather & climate |
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11.30am |
Livestock opportunities |
New chemistry investigated |
The latest in gene technology |
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12.30pm |
Reading the weather & climate |
Optimising livestock production
Jason Trompf (LaTrobe Uni) |
Pest management
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1.30pm |
Locusts: the good, the bad and the ugly |
Planning for the next-gen |
Gardening in the Wimmera
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3.00pm |
Grain marketing |
Technology trends |
'On the Couch' Conversation Corner'
11.00am Grant Hollaway (DPI)
12.00pm David Hunter (entomologist)
1.00pm Nigel Kerrin (farmer)
2.00pm Cam Christie (CBA)
2.45pm Lee Menhenett (Incitec Pivot)
3.30pm Lyn Sykes