Approximately 500 Farmers, agronomists, researchers and secondary students took advantage of perfect weather and the opportunity to discuss the latest local agronomic research and information at Kinnabulla on Wednesday 13 September for the annual BCG Main Field Day.
In her opening welcome, BCG CEO Fiona Best encouraged attendees to ask questions and ensure they get the most from the research on display; “I say it each year, but this day is for you” she said.
“BCG’s Main Field Day is the culmination of a year’s worth of planning and preparation with the site showcasing over 30 trials for people to inspect” she added.
Topics
Over twenty presenters shared their expertise including BCG staff and industry experts.
In their presentation, Frost and Heat Risk in 2023 Kenton Porker from CSIRO and Kate Burke from ThinkAgri, encouraged people to be prepared for the upcoming warmer weather by knowing the critical stress periods of their respective crops. They urged growers to be confident to go out and inspect after a frost or heat stress event to manage expectations of the upcoming harvest.
Disease management generated considerable discussion thanks to Hari Dadu, Josh Fanning and Chloe Findlay from Agriculture Victoria, and Nick Poole from the Foundation for Arble Research.
BCG’s Dr Yolanda Plowman shared the objectives of a Farming Systems Trial, situated over the road from the 2023 main site, which will run from 2023 to 2026. Dr Plowman said: “The research will go beyond short-term productivity and consider profitability and sustainability over the longer term including new systems that are currently uncommon in the southern Mallee.”
Research
Attendees were introduced to onsite trials by the BCG staff who manage them. Brooke Bennett and Kelly Angel discussed wheat and barley varieties, Kate Finger and Angus Butterfield shared the results of a herbicide efficacy trial and oaten hay considerations were all expertly discussed by Alison Frischke.
To the future
The crowd was also bolstered by 130 secondary students from the North Central Local Learning and Employment Network region including Birchip, Donald, Wycheproof, Pyramid Hill, Tyrrell College and from as far as Bendigo.
The students participated in a specialised program featuring a careers panel, tour of the main site and a treasure hunt designed to encourage student interaction and exploration.
BCG Chair John Ferrier was also pleased with the content delivered and the condition of the research site: “We had some great trials on show with excellent messages for everyone in attendance,” he said.
BCG would like to thank the site hosts, the Lehmann family, the presenters who shared their expertise and the funding bodies for supporting the research.
For more details, or to become a member, call BCG on (03) 5492 2487 or visit www.bcg.org.au/memberships
This event was part funded through the BCG managed North West Broadacre node of the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, which is supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
