Relationships, partnerships and collaborations were celebrated at BCG’s ‘Shared Solutions’ dinner in the heart of Melbourne on Monday, September 19.
The occasion recognised BCG’s valued contributors and the relationships that have developed over the years and supported the organisation.
Over 70 guests, including sponsors, past and present staff, researchers and friends of BCG enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new connections in The Age building on Collins Street.
In her welcoming address, BCG Chairman Caroline Welsh looked to the future saying, “BCG has been about farmers, the industry and the community and sharing ideas for the good of not only our 430 farm business members, but also the broader Australian industry.”
“We have not been able to achieve what we have without a range of partners.”
Ms Welsh said Wimmera Mallee growers were currently experiencing a great production year and were optimistic about the great future, the grains industry would face the challenges of disruption facing other industries.
She said in the ‘relatively short’ 16 years she had been on the farm she had witnessed the introduction of auto steering, yield maps, variable rate technology, the widespread adoption of no-till farming and earlier sowing.
“I expect the next 20 years will be different too with the adoption of new technology,” she said.
Attendees were also treated to insights into the past, present and future from guest speaker, Mike Grundy, CSIRO agriculture and food research director and a panel comprising two generations of the Delahunty and Ferrier families.
Mr Grundy spoke about the opportunities in agriculture from the perspective of Generation X.
“They expect information to be at their fingertips and available 24-7,” he said.
Mr Grundy highlighted emerging impact areas of digital agriculture including data from remote and proximal sensing, robotics and automation, process and statistical modelling, network creation and data analysis.
He said BCG has a role to play in this ‘ecosystem’ through the gathering and transfer of this data to farmers and the industry.
BCG CEO Chris Sounness facilitated the panel session which included Leo Delahunty and son Chris who farm ‘Templemore’ in the Wimmera and John Ferrier and daughter-in-law De-Anne who farm ‘Wirrabilla’ at Birchip.
John and Leo, both current BCG Board members, said the opportunity to work with good thinkers was a significant reason for their involvement with BCG. John highlighted that some of the people he had met had challenged him to push the farm business and ensure its sustainability.
Leo and Chris Delahunty spoke about the value of having external consultants on their farm board, saying it was useful for defining roles in the business (Leo is in partnership with his brother Andy) and to clearly define pathways for the next generation to get involved.
Both Chris and De-Anne highlighted the opportunities that technology represents but said that there was much more to be done.
“We do yield mapping at harvest on our farm,” said De-Anne.
“The next step is to translate that information into management decisions.”
The evening concluded with more networking opportunities and hopefully, the start of future collaborations.
To get involved at BCG, become a member, conduct a trial or become a sponsor, visit the BCG website.
