For the last five years Justine Severin (a former agricultural journalist) has been public relations officer at BCG. As well as authoring our many news stories and media releases, she has edited the last five editions of the BCG Seasons Research Results and has played a role in planning and running BCG events.
After a decade and a half of studying and writing about farming, my husband Simon (an agronomist) and I finally got to put our theories into practice when we purchased a property just outside of Horsham.
It’s only a small block (about 34 hectares) but we are so excited to now have our own bit of ground to play with.
Because we have no machinery we decided to share-farm with a neighbor. We’d probably make a bit more from leasing but we like to be involved in the management of the land – what crops to plant, what inputs to put on and so on.
In our first year (2015) we grew vetch hay as we suspected the paddock was harbouring a few weed issues. Hay turned out to be a good decision owing to the dry season and the paddock yielded 81 bales.
That is the year we also learned that farming is a pretty tough ‘gig’. It seemed like it was never going to rain and when we did get a few showers, the paddock became an embarrassing eye-saw. It seemed like there was more rye grass, wild radish and volunteer canola in it than there was vetch.
It was a relief when it was cut, simply because the assault on the eye that was the view from our back window had been removed.
Last year we grew hay again, but this time oaten hay. In 2016 we got to experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from playing a part in ‘growing something’. Thanks to the excellent rainfall the oats grew to six foot in some places, by spring completely obscuring the motorbike track through the paddock that our kids use as a route to the school bus stop.
We got to help out on hay baling day last year. It was all hands on deck to bale and stack the astonishing 606 bales the paddock yielded.
Unlike 2015, where cutting, baling and marketing all happened before the end of October, last year’s harvest is still piled up in the bottom corner of the paddock. So now, we are learning patience.
At the end of this week I will conclude my time at BCG to take up a communications role that is closer to home. I feel quite sad about this and will miss BCG a lot.
Over the five years I’ve worked at BCG there have been many highlights, but without a doubt the best part has been the insight our members have granted me into their world and profession. I have learnt so much from the BCG farmers, many who have been generous with their time and patient with me, answering my questions.
From what I’ve observed, Wimmera and Mallee farmers are excellent at what they do; they are students of their craft and competent professionals. It has been an honour and a privilege to tell their stories.
The BCG team I will also greatly miss. Their enthusiasm for our industry and the way they work towards the collective goal of improving outcomes for farmers is inspiring. But importantly, they too have a lot to learn from our members who continue to conquer seemingly insurmountable obstacles to produce some of the best quality produce the world has to offer.
So it’s goodbye for now. It has been excellent. And here’s to another great growing season.
Justine
