At this time, the recent death of our colleague, Casey Sim is first and foremost in our minds. In the midst of our sadness and shock, we are reminded of the fragility of so much that we too often take for granted.
Casey was bright, high-achieving and dedicated. We are missing and will continue to miss her presence amongst us in the office and the field. Casey’s research interests were varied from insect and pest management to crop establishment and her ability to communicate her work was a key skill.
People, preparation, performance
As we continue to do our job, we stress that now is the perfect time to reflect on the preparations you have been making to ensure a smooth and successful year. In my recent conversations with growers, the key focus areas have been clear; many have already checked off some critical tasks in readiness for the season ahead.
Soil sampling has been a priority; the results play a key role in finalising sowing plans. Farmers have been analysing paddock nutrient status to refine fertiliser strategies. Crop rotations have also been locked in, factoring in learnings from the past season, existing soil moisture, and weed and disease status.
With summer weeds largely under control due to the dry conditions over the past few months, many have completed their final spray jobs. Seeders have been pulled out of sheds, checked, and prepared for sowing, guarding against last-minute surprises that may arise once conditions are right.
Seed quality has also been a focus: growers have been assessing grain quality and running germination tests on retained seed to maximise emergence and achieve good crop establishment. Many have completed a stocktake of on-farm inputs, including fertilisers and chemicals, and have organised fuel supplies to ensure everything is in place for the season ahead.
These conversations have highlighted that everyone is busy.
BCG have also been busy preparing for another big year. Site selection, soil sampling, and finalising trial protocols have kept our team motivated and focused on delivering high-quality, relevant research. We thank our research partners, who provide valuable insights to help drive practical, on-farm outcomes, as well as the farmers who generously volunteer their paddocks as trial sites. BCG would particularly like to thank the Weir Family who have generously agreed to host the 2025 BCG Main Research Site.
Over the past month, BCG has successfully run a range of events supporting growers in their planning for 2025. Our spray workshops, seeder setup and trial results days have kept the team busy, together with the members-only Trials Review Day. This was highly successful, with 140 enthusiastic participants attending in person and 127 joining online as we shared the results of last season.
We were also pleased to support Frontier Farming Systems with two trial results days in Walpeup and Tooleybuc, both of which attracted strong grower interest.
With much of the groundwork now in place, the next few weeks may well be spent in making final checks before sowing begins.
Equally important is ensuring that you and your farm team are well-rested, supported, and have the necessary processes and structures in place to navigate the busy sowing period. Farming is a demanding profession, one in which people remain the most valuable asset in any farm business. Taking the time to prioritise wellbeing, delegate responsibilities effectively, and establish clear communication channels will make a significant difference in managing workload and avoiding burnout.
Remember, the BCG team is aiming for its best year of farming yet, a little older, and perhaps wiser, as we face the challenges ahead.
Fiona
