Over the past month, Victorian farmers have experienced very different realities. While some are focused on planning for the 2026 season, others have been battling devastating fires.
I’d like to acknowledge BCG members and local growers who have generously donated fodder and feed to support those affected across Victoria. We also recognise the many farmers and community members who are CFA volunteers, fighting fires and supporting their neighbours when it mattered most.
Many years ago, a local farmer made the comment that his farming year didn’t a start until March.
This is no longer the reality with farming businesses making the most of February. From reflecting on the previous years’ performance to summer spraying, financials to grain marketing projections, rotation planning, machinery investment and maintenance, soil testing, stored moisture, and, most importantly, the climate outlook, the list is long and constant.
Particularly planning for the next season, many opportunities come to mind. How can we better manage rising input costs? How can we further fine tune our businesses? Our rotations? Variety choices? Procurement of inputs?
We have many opportunities to review and enhance our farming operations with BCG’s strong lineup of events coming up in February and March. The 2025 research results are now available, and the BCG team has done an outstanding job pulling this information together so members can hear it, use it, and apply it to get the most out of the season ahead. This includes the much anticipated Trials Review Day on February 20, RiskWi$e Investment workshops, the Farmer Network Ball, and much more. GRDC updates and the Evoke Ag conference is also coming up, Jess Bidstrup will be representing BCG and supporting the promotion of ChatBCG at the event.
As farmers, our role is to prepare, learn what we can, and stay adaptable. So let’s continue to plan for the ideal season, and if conditions are less than ideal, we’ll adjust and respond, as we always do.
As this is my last word from the Chair, I would like to say BCG highly values the input from our members, with ideas of areas of research we need to undertake and support at the many events BCG undertake in delivering relevant information to our business. I would like to thank everyone for their support in my time as Chair and wish everyone a successful and productive 2026.
Warm regards,
Chair, Birchip Cropping Group
