Project
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Description
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| Southern Mallee and Northern Wimmera Farming Systems (Grain Growers Association and GRDC funded) |
The aim of the project was to demonstrate four contrasting farming systems in the southern Mallee and northern Wimmera; to analyse the short- and long-term profitability of the four major farming systems in the region; and to identify the key biophysical parameters of sustainability of the farming systems in the region. In February 2006, this trial became known as the Flexible Farming Systems trial. It continues with GRDC funding in collaboration with VNTFA More information about the Flexible Farming Systems Trial |
| Farming Systems to Reduce Recharge |
This project (Mallee Catchment Management Authority) took place in 2004 and 2005. It supports work at our northern sites. Water balance investigations – in paddock and modelled – were undertaken along side trial work that trialled management options within minimum tillage systems. This work was built upon in 2005 and continued in 2006. |
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Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
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BCG is one of the pilot groups working with the North Central Catchment Management Authority on a project titled "Linking on-farm EMS with catchment targets, a farmer-catchment-government partnership in Victoria". More info |
| Facilitating Adoption of On-Farm Change in Greenhouse Gas Abatement (Community Action fund) |
This project concluded in 2004. It supported the 2003 Expo and in 2004 undertook an intensive investigation of nine farms in the Wimmera and Southern Mallee for their Greenhouse Gas emissions, modelling a number of scenarios to identify how best existing farming systems can address emissions on farm. Read the full report |
| Innovative Communication Tools Project (supported by GRDC 2002-2005) |
This project funding ceased in 2005. BCG worked with Hart (SA) and CWFS (NSW) along with existing partners to bring in new ideas to broaden the knowledge of rural communities. An innovative research and extension program recognised different learning styles and used three main extension tools: hands on (eg. field days, specialised training), hard copy (eg. results manual) and electronic (eg. Virtual Agronomy). |
| Economic Analysis and Communication of Best Practice in the Wimmera and Mallee agroecological zones (GRDC) |
This three-year project built upon the Farming Systems Trial and undertook intensive economic analyses of farming systems in the region. The final year of the project was completed in 2004. |
| Improving land management decisions through a better understanding of factors limiting production and the effect of climate on production and recharge |
The project (North Central Catchment Management Authority) commenced in the second half of 2004 and ran for 12 months. It built upon existing climate and in-paddock variation investigations taking place in the region, and combined real data with modelling to improve our understanding of current systems. Read the full report |
| Virtual Agronomy (supported by RIRDC & GRDC) |
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In 2004, BCG members were given access to the Virtual Agronomy section of the website. This allowed them to follow the progress of current trials throughout the season from their home, plus keep updated on current issues (eg stripe rust) with photos, advice and assistance in diagnosis and treatment. This project funding ceased in 2005, however the BCG continued to support this innovative communication tool for several years afterwards.
The full report 'Internet Field Days - helping farmers to make better decisions' is available on the RIRDC website Full report Summary
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| Yield Prophet |
BCG was successful in winning a tender from APSRU to commercially deliver APSIM to grain producers across Australia. Yield Prophet is the delivery mechanism to growers. Click here to find out more about Yield Prophet. |
| Control of groundwater recharge from dryland cropping paddocks in the Southern Mallee (Natural Heritage Trust Funded) |
The aim of this project (2001-2002 seasons) was to identify water use efficient farming systems in the southern Mallee. The outcomes of the project are assisting in the development of sustainable farming systems in the southern Mallee with a target to reduce recharge into groundwater. The project established 22 focus paddocks with 11 farming enterprises. The farming enterprises were chosen on the basis of their farming system and were linked to the Farming Systems Project carried out by BCG (funded by Grain Growers Association and the GRDC). |
| Development of On-Farm Trials Template for the Grain Zone (GRDC Funded) |
The GRDC Grain Zone website was a pilot project where the results of trials and demonstrations undertaken during the 2000 season by four farming systems groups (BCG, Eyre Peninsula, Central West Farming Systems, and Mingenew-Irwin) are presented. Forty trial results (10 from each group) will be on the Grain Zone website by late January, 2002. |
| Cafe Grains (GRDC funded) |
BCG’s internet site Discussion Forum Bulletin Board provides a platform for innovative and interested grain growers, researchers and agronomists to discuss topical issues affecting the grains industry. Issues such as long term weather forecasting, crop nutrition, and in crop pest control were posted as discussion forum themes on the Bulletin Board. |
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