Now in its second year the program boasts 160 members with two new groups established bringing the tally up.
The program was delivered in six regions in 2016 – Manangatang, Hopetoun, Southern Mallee, Rupanyup and the newly-established Quambatook and West Wimmera. The women’s group is also based in the southern Mallee, usually delivered from Birchip.
This year the GAPP calendar consisted of two workshops and one crop walk per group.
One workshop was held prior to sowing and focused on planning and farm business management. The other workshop was held mid-season and delivered information on timely agronomic issues including weed, disease and pest control, crop nutrition and variety selection.
The final gathering gave members the chance to jump on a bus and check out paddocks, interesting farmer practices and research in their local region.
GAPP coordinator and BCG Research officer, Linda Walters, said participants enjoyed learning in an environment where they felt comfortable to ask questions and to share information with their peers.
The use of technology via smart phones and a messaging app extended the learning experience beyond the allocated meetings.
“We established a WhatsApp messaging platform for each group and it was great to have input from attendees about proposed topics for upcoming meetings and to throw around ideas and share observations in the field in between meetings,” Linda said.
The program is only made possible with the collaboration of a number of supporters.
Members heard from local agronomists who provided local insight on timely issues along with a range of invited guest speakers from further afield.
“It was a team effort,” Linda said.
GAPP guest speakers and topics in 2016:
- Managing profitability and risk – Ed Hunt (Ed Hunt Consulting SA)
- Cost of production – Simon Craig (Farm360)
- Climate update and seasonal forecast – Dale Grey (Agriculture Victoria)
- Cost of production and yield gaps – Harm van Rees (Cropfacts)
- ‘Farming for dollars’ interactive risk management game – Tim McClelland (Model Agronomics)
- Nitrogen response in barley (Quambatook) – Ashley Wallace (Agriculture Victoria)
- Disease management in 2016 (Southern Mallee) – Grant Holloway and Mark McClean (Agriculture Victoria)
- Grain marketing updates – Peter Sidley (ADM)
- Integrated weed management – Jeremey White and Angus Calder (Bayer)
2016 highlights:
- The Hopetoun and Manangatang groups combined for a crop walk in September
- Cam Parker, Southern Mallee GAPP member, recorded a podcast interview on the BCG in Focus channel
- GAPP members attended a leadership tour to Melbourne in August
- Two GAPP Women’s members attended the Australian Women in Agriculture Conference in Canberra
- Two new discussion groups were established at Quambatook and West Wimmera
- A great production year which made crop walks all the more enjoyable with lots to talk about and learn.
