BCG Trials Review Day a huge success!

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More than 130 BCG members attended the annual BCG Trials Review Day on Friday 16 February to upskill, network and gather new information from 2017 research results.

Attendees heard from a range of speakers, including Jaclyn Brown, Steve Henry and Vadakattu Gupta from CSIRO, James Hunt from La Trobe University, Grant Hollaway, Jason Brand and Dale Grey from Agriculture Victoria and Chris Williams Assistant Director of the Department of Agriculture’s National Residue Survey.

BCG extension manager Ciara Cullen explained that the variety on the program provided an opportunity for everyone to learn from the day.

“The program was broad and ranged from agronomy to weed management, climate to nutrition, varieties to mice management and so much more, so depending on your particular interest it allowed for plenty of learning opportunities,” Ms Cullen elaborated.

Topics ranged from creating a one-stop weather-shop, managing early sown wheat, cereal and pulse variety performance, combatting cereal disease pressure, the movement of nitrogen in stubble, the influence of the weed spectrum on rotations, using shielded sprayers for ryegrass control, reducing the brome grass and wild radish seed banks, variable rate technology, grazing crop mixtures for forage production, seed size, phosphorus and sowing rate in barley, mice and seasonal climate update.

Attendees also received the 2017 BCG Season Research Results compendium in which 28 in-depth research reports have analysed, interpreted and applied commercial practice to more than 40 trials from across the Wimmera and Mallee.

“During harvest there is added pressure for BCG researchers who begin analysing results and writing reports during harvest, and while most others enjoy a Christmas and New Year break there’s lots of keyboard action at the BCG office to ensure the Season Research Results compendium is ready for members in preparation for annual Trials Review Day,” Ms Cullen explained.

“It is rewarding to see the hard copy version arrive at the office, and to then pass it on to our members.”

Ms Cullen explained that the day was also an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and hard work of the staff who have put in not only for the day and season, but over many years of service.

“Four BCG staff were acknowledged at the conclusion of the event for their service to BCG. Cathy Schroder and Linda Walters have been with us for five years, Claire Browne for 10 years and Janice Kelly for 15 years, which is a stupendous commitment to the organisation.”

More information about the BCG Trials Review Day and the 2017 BCG Season Research Results compendium can be found on by visiting the website at www.bcg.org.au.

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