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Category: ‘General’ news
BCG Main Field Day 2020 cancelled.
At the most recent meeting of the BCG Board, it was decided that for the first time in 28-years, BCG will not hold the BCG Main Field Day. The annual event, which can attract 800+ growers is a BCG flag-ship event and a key date in the calendar for Wimmera Mallee farmers. BCG Chairman John […]
Increasing Farmer Wifi and Mobile Phone Coverage Project
Many growers and rural businesses continue to experience issues with mobile and internet connectivity that would be considered substandard and unacceptable in larger regional or metropolitan centres. As well as causing frustration among growers and employees, connectivity issues can have a significant economic impact. A 2017 paper published by BCG estimates that, for farm businesses across the Wimmera […]
Southern Pulse Extension Case Study – Pyramid Hill Group, Ash Moon
SNAPSHOTOWNERS: Ash and Emma MoonLOCATION: Pyramid Hill, VictoriaFARM SIZE: 1700 hectaresANNUAL AVERAGE RAINFALL: 380mmSOIL TYPES: Tragowel clay, Macorna clay and Yarrawalla loamENTERPRISE MIX: Broadacre irrigated (50%) and dryland cropping (50%); flock of 300 Merino ewes producing first-cross lambsCROP PROGRAM (2019): Cereals 50% (Scout wheat, Spartacus barley), legumes 25% (PBA Hallmark XT (PBR) lentils, PBA Samira […]
Farmer in Focus – Coleman Schache
This month BCG caught up with Hopetoun Farmer and local Football Coach, Coleman Schache. After a day in the paddock picking up some pretty sizable rocks unearthed deep ripping in the summer, Coleman managed to find some time in his busy schedule to have a chat about his farm, his community and his plans for the […]
A Word From The Chair
I would like to congratulate the BCG staff on their completion of the full 2020 cropping trials program in the current Covid-19 environment. BCG look forward to presenting in season trials and results through numerous communication methods to our members, the agricultural community, sponsors and collaborators later in the year. I made comment during the 2020 sowing program that […]
Exploring Regen Ag
Regenerative agriculture has become a key agricultural focus in recent years. BCG is in the process of planning a forum on the subject. It will provide an opportunity for cropping and livestock farmers and their advisers to learn more about Regenerative Agriculture principles and to contribute to a facilitated discussion and open-floor questioning. What might […]
Watch-out for wireworm
Wimmera-Mallee growers advised to be aware of Wireworm activity. BCG Staff recently spoke to growers in the Wimmera about the discovery of Wireworm in a Canola crop, resulting in approximately 120 hectares of Canola being re-sown on one property near Murtoa. Damage to Canola was also reported at a property at Natimuk. “Two paddocks were really belted around” explained one grower “we […]
June 2020 Extension Update
Our lives have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has and will continue to impact how we gather and interact, as well as how information is extended from BCG to our members, and to all Australian broadacre farmers. As restrictions on gatherings begin to ease across Victoria, BCG are planning our first in-person events since the initial shut-down measures were introduced in March. From […]
New Mallee trial investigates the relationship between Nitrogen and Soil Carbon
A new research project, being undertaken by Birchip Cropping Group (BCG), is investigating ways to improve crop biomass production and yield on the poor performing sandy soils common across the Mallee. The project, supported by the Mallee CMA, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare program, is investigating the relationship between increased biomass production […]
Post-Sowing Review: How are your Plant Numbers Stacking Up?
Whether it happened at 1am with a coffee to keep you going or 1pm while listening to a podcast, much of the seed for this season is in the ground and working its way to the surface if it hasn’t already made it up. Paddock establishment surveys as part of a GRDC funded project – optimising plant establishment, undertaken by […]