Visitors to BCG’s Main Field Day on Wednesday 10 September at Birchip will have the opportunity to hear the latest on wheat and barley varieties being put to the test in the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) National Variety Trials (NVT) program.
BCG research agronomists Anna Marcus and Ashlee Tierney will present an overview of how key varieties are performing under this season’s dry start, and what growers should be watching for as spring unfolds.
“There’s always an interest in what came out on top last season, and this year, we’re also taking a close look at how early establishment has played out given the challenging conditions in May and June,” Anna said.
Attendees can expect updates on top-performing varieties including Shotgun, Tomahawk, Brumby and Rockstar, as well as barley standouts Compass, Neo and Combat. With no significant disease pressure so far this season, the focus will be on growth, yield potential, and agronomic performance.
Ashlee said growers will also get an early look at new, unnamed varieties in the pipeline. “This year we’ve included two new barley lines. One is an IMI-tolerant variety from Intergrain suited to low rainfall environments, and the other is a herbicide tolerant line for low rainfall conditions from AGT.”
The NVT program, delivered in partnership with GRDC, provides an independent national platform to evaluate varietal performance across different regions and environments, in non-nitrogen limited conditions. “The NVT program aims to assist Australian grain growers and advisors in varietal decision making by providing information on commercially available grain varieties, including comparisons of yield performance, disease resistance and grain quality,” Anna said. “It’s important for growers to remember that we ensure these trials are not nitrogen limited, so they are indicative of a variety’s best genetic potential.”
At the Main Field Day, Anna and Ashlee will be joined by plant breeders and local agronomists for an interactive discussion covering varietal traits, herbicide tolerance groups, and how newer lines are shaping up under Mallee conditions.
Growers are encouraged to come along with questions and take advantage of the opportunity to talk directly with researchers, breeders and agronomists about what’s working, what’s new, and what to consider for 2026 sowing decisions.
Entry to BCG’s Main Field Day is free for BCG members and $50 for non-members. Attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets on the BCG website. For more information or to become a BCG member, visit bcg.org.au.
