The Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) Community Network was launched in August 2017 in response to emerging trends being observed in the Wimmera and Mallee. Population decline, the impact of technology, ageing infrastructure, climate change, farmer wellbeing and a declining ecosystem are all major issues which to date have not been solved by traditional mechanisms. These […]
Climate experts are more confident about higher temperatures under climate change than they are about what the weather might do at your place in 10 days’ time. Agriculture Victoria climate specialist Graeme Anderson said climate change would bring challenges but also offered opportunities for farmers and businesses that were well-prepared. Mr Anderson, who leads the […]
Mallee and Wimmera growers have an opportunity to get on top of their grain storage plans this harvest by hearing the latest information at two free workshops in Sea Lake and St. Arnaud as part of the GRDC’s Grain Storage Extension Project. Primary Business consultant, Chris Warrick, will provide an update on preventing insects and […]
Cut through the noise and hear the latest on climate, gain tools for adapting to the changes, and explore business opportunities to help our local communities thrive at ‘Building Climate Resilience’ on Tuesday 29 October at the Birchip Town Hall. Open to farmers, the local community and small business, the event aims to raise awareness of the key risks from climate change, including physical, […]
Generally, if a farmer were to graze their cereal crops it would be prior to stem elongation (GS31) to avoid penalties to grain yield, or they would use the crop as pasture and graze two or three times until biomass was exhausted. However, the project ‘Using standing crops to finish lambs and improve summer groundcover […]
What are the challenges for agriculture in the next fifty years and how can young farmers manage them? Join us in Nhill on Thursday 11 July for ‘Talking Farming – Crucial Conversations’ to find out. This event is free for anyone involved in working in or on the family farming business and wants to tackle […]
Birchip Cropping Group’s annual Trials Review Day was a huge success giving farmers the opportunity to reflect on 2016 and begin planning for 2017. More than 150 farmers and advisors attended the event held at the Birchip Leisure Centre on Friday. The event opened with Horsham farmer Tim Rethus and Swan Hill farmer Nev Reilly […]
Two local farmers will open the 2017 BCG Trials Review Day on February 17, sharing their experiences and the lessons they learned last season. Providing a Wimmera perspective will be Tim Rethus, while Nev Reilly will focus on the 2016 season in the Mallee. During the facilitated discussion attendees will have the opportunity to join […]
The results from BCG’s 2016 research trials as well as commentary on the season will presented to BCG members at the 2017 Trials Review next February. Held at the Birchip Leisure Centre on February 17, this popular event will include reflections on the past season from two local farmers as well as discussions about variety […]
BCG is hosting a tag-a-long trial tour of its research site at Longerenong College on Wednesday 28 September starting at 11am. The tour will include trial visits with guest speakers providing first-hand knowledge and explanation of the research and product development occurring at the site. Thanks to excellent rainfall, the trials are looking excellent making […]
Memories were made in ankle deep mud on Wednesday (September 14) when close to 400 farmers braved the elements to attend the 2016 BCG Main Field Day at Warmur. In a stark contrast to the 2014 and 2015 field day, the research paddock was a sight to behold with healthy cereal, canola and pulse trials framed by […]