Two local farmers will open the 2019 BCG Trials Review Day on February 15 sharing their experiences and lessons-learned in 2018.
BCG Extension Leader, Ciara Cullen, said the farmer-led discussion was one of the most popular features of the program.
“Both grain, hay and livestock producers, Ben Merritt from Ultima and Ben Batters from St. Arnaud will reflect on the challenges and opportunities of last year,” Ms Cullen added
“The discussion, facilitated by John Ferrier, BCG Board member and Birchip farmer, will give the audience a chance to participate too.”
This session sets the scene for a day packed with results from research conducted in farmer paddocks across the Mallee and Wimmera and with a line-up of more than 12 presenters, attendees are assured of receiving the latest in local research and updates.
“Variety performance and their fit within the farming system features heavily in the program with four presentations covering National Variety Trial (NVT) wheat and barley results, managing early sown wheat, pulse production and optimising canola production,” said Ms Cullen.
Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) NVT Manager, Rob Wheeler, BCG researcher, Genevieve Clarke, Agriculture Victoria and Southern Pulse Agronomy’s, Jason Brand and BCG researcher, Cameron Taylor will present on these topics, respectively.
Ms Cullen said one presentation will also share information from four years’ worth of research conducted across Australia.
“Harm van Rees from Cropfacts will discuss closing the yield gap and informing decisions from the learnings gleaned from the GRDC National Paddock Survey project,” said Ms Cullen.
“A session on seasonal outlook concludes the day and Matt Saunderson from DTN will present on ultra-local weather station forecasts and what growers can expect in 2019.”
BCG staff always look forward to the day and will be presenting on topics including combatting our local insecticide resistance, Brodal® tolerance in lentils, grazing standing crops for finishing lambs, optimising plant establishment and grain yield and profitable and sustainable soils: soil test analyses on a regional scale.
The BCG Trials Review Day is a members-only event and members will receive their copy of the highly valued 2018 BCG Season Research Results compendium. Lunch and refreshments will be provided and non-BCG members can purchase memberships prior to, or on the day.
For more information about the BCG Trials Review Day visit the website at www.bcg.org.au or phone the office on (03) 5492 2787.
