Well what a year 2021 is turning out to be! After a very dry start to sowing, an ok to good winter, spring was rather disappointing until the welcome rain last week. So, what on earth has been going on? Back in autumn when the models have their lowest, but not no skill, all the […]
Tell us about yourself and your farm? I farm with my brothers Greg and Nathan, father Russell and uncle Graeme at Rupanyup. Our soil type is mainly black self-mulching loam with patches of red clay. We grow wheat, barley, lentils, beans, canola, vetch hay and oaten hay. We also run a couple hundred first-cross ewes […]
As farmers we often concentrate on climate, rainfall, agronomy and farm business. It was rewarding to read two books recently published that stimulated my thinking and I recommend both to you. The first by Dr Kate Burke: Crops, People Money and You – The Art of Excellent Farming. Kate describes herself as a practical and […]
To support growers to reduce harvest losses and improve operations at harvest time, with funding from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), BCG is hosting a series of free harvester forums. The forums will be held at: Murrayville, Monday 11 October 9:00 am- 1:30pm AEST, Register now Koolonong, Tuesday 12 October 9:00 am- 1:30pm […]
Recent warm weather has produced an expected spike in visits by BCG researchers to trial sites across the Wimmera Mallee to collect results and protect their vital research from disease and insects. “The warm weather means our crops are flowering, insects such as Heliothis and Etiella are taking flight and need to be managed. We […]
BCG Chairman and Birchip farmer John Ferrier is encouraging local farmers to actively plan for drought by providing feedback to the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, funded by the federal government’s Department of Agriculture Water and Environment’s 5 billion Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund initiative. The Hub is actively seeking this vital information […]
Help is at hand Farming, as we all know, is about many things: resilience, knowledge, experience, co-operation, plain old good luck. It is also about planning. The ability to plan relies on a clear head and the provision of time to allow that clear head to function most effectively. Plans need to be made when the […]
Can you give us some background of yourself and your farm? I farm with my wife Kate and parents Paul and Jerri. Jerri works off farm too and my grandparents live on farm and help where possible. I grew up around Boort and studied a Bachelor or Agricultural Science at The University of Melbourne after […]
The start of the season was a test for canola with dry conditions and small rain events resulting in late and in some cases, poor establishment. A sowing depth trial at Watchupga funded by GRDC showed it was the year to ensure seed placement was not too deep. A distinct difference was also observed comparing an open […]
James Murray, BCG Senior Research Manager, highlights some of the key trials growing at the BCG Mitiamo Research site this year.
BCG is pleased to welcome its newest member Lynden Burns. Growing up in the Mallee, Lynden has a strong background in events and marketing and will be joining the Extension & Communication team. What is your background? I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm at Tempy, just an hour north of Birchip. I […]