The GRDC More Profit from Crop Nutrition II (MPCN II) initiative aims to deliver current information that will help growers and advisors make better fertiliser decisions that will increase efficiency and profitability.
BCG’s role in the project is to deliver extension and training projects for farmers in south eastern Australia, and last week (August 10-12) it was New South Wales’ turn with workshops held in the Griffith region, at Cootamundra and the Riverina.
For the NSW roadshow, BCG MPCN project manager Louisa Ferrier was joined by a team of leading soil scientists and agronomists including Nigel Willhelm (SARDI), Christopher Guppy (University of New England), Jim Laycock (Incitec Pivot), Dr Kate Burke (Think Agri), Jamie Thornberry (Central West Farming Systems), Tony Swan (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Barry Haskins (Ag Grow Agronomy) and Peter Lott (Lott Rural Consulting).
Over three days a total of 170 farmers attended the MPCN events which included paddock walks at Hillston, Tabbita and Boorga in the Griffith region, two soil pit inspections at Cootamundra and a presentation held as part of the Riverine Plains annual in-season update.
Farmers received the crop nutrition messages and enjoyed having the soil scientist and agronomists visit their regions to generate discussion and ideas. A list of resources was also distributed.Â
Since its inception, the MPCN program has addressed regional priority issues at events across New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, collaborating with a range of grains industry stakeholders and researchers.
Farmers have benefited with increased nutrition knowledge, the development of tools to improve nutrient use efficiency and improved coordination of communication and extension across the grains and fertiliser industries.
More information about the MPCN initiative can be found here and you can view photos from the roadshow on the BCG Facebook page.
