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Women's Agronomy Group enjoy their 1st meeting for 2007
On Thursday 29 March, BCG hosted the first of its Women's Agronomy Group meetings for the 2007 season. The aim of the group is to provide women involved the agricultural industry an opportunity to increase the agronomic knowledge and skills as well as offer a forum where current agronomic issues can be discussed in a supportive environment.
One of the key topics on the day included a presentation from DeAnne Price, a climate risk agronomist (DPI Horsham), who discussed some of the useful climate tools that are currently being used by farmers to help make management decisions. Current climate indications for the 2007 season were also discussed. DeAnne suggested that farmers look at available climate data from the Bureau of Meteorology and use it in conjunction with other computer programs like PYCAL and Yield Prophet® in collective manner rather than in isolation.
Brooke Thompson (CropFacts) talked about how farmers make risk management decisions at this time of year. The discussion focused on planning ahead and strategies to manage seasonal risk without comprising our ability to capitalise in a good year. Crop choice, utilising hay in rotations, and delaying nitrogen applications were key issues covered.
The day concluded with a discussion from Fiona Best (BCG) on some new crop varieties that are available which farmers should consider in the lead up to the 2007 sowing season.
Dr Cherie Reilly (BCG) also provided the Women's Agronomy Group with some useful information as to why soil testing is important and the implications for management associated with soil testing. Cherie suggested that soil testing not only allows farmers to set a target yield but also showed farmers the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous carry over.
The Women's Agronomy Group hold meetings every second month at the BCG conference room. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 10 May 2007. BCG welcomes any women interested in attending these informative days.
For more information contact BCG on (03) 54922787 or info@bcg.org.au
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| BCG's Women's Agronomy Group enoying lunch at their 1st meeting for 2007. |
