BCG’s Main Field Day on Wednesday 10 September brought together more than 500 farmers and industry representatives from across north-west Victoria, with decision-making on farm at the heart of the program.
Attendees heard from leading researchers including Professor James Hunt (University of Melbourne), Professor Chris Preston (University of Adelaide), Dr James Nuttall (BCG), Dr Andrew Fletcher and Dr Greg Rebetzke (CSIRO), and Dr Grant Hollaway (Astute Ag). Topics ranged from variety performance and nitrogen strategies through to alternative chemistries to paraquat and using tools like BioScout to detect disease spikes.
Among the standout sessions was Dr James Nuttall’s exploration of crop-soil interactions in the 20-metre soil pit, offering farmers a tangible view of how roots of wheat, barley, canola and pulses access water and nutrients, and the ‘Farming without paraquat’ session, preparing growers for a future with restricted herbicide use. Beyond the formal presentations, networking and peer-to-peer conversations provided invaluable opportunities to share insights and experiences.
BCG CEO Fiona Best officially opened the event, acknowledging both the challenges and opportunities of the season. “Farmers are continually making decisions in complex environments. Our aim is to ensure that every decision point is supported by the right information at the right time, and that farmers feel connected to their peers and the wider research community,” she said.
Chairman John Ferrier said the day reflected the strength of BCG’s partnerships. “Collaboration is central to what BCG does. Bringing together world-class researchers, local knowledge, students and industry partners ensures our region is well placed to tackle challenges and embrace new opportunities.”
Local farmer Alan Bennett captured the spirit of the day on the afternoon’s farmer panel, remarking, “Farming is the art of the possible, and you’ve got to find a solution to find a way through.”
This year’s event also featured a strong student presence, with over 60 students from regional schools taking part in a dedicated stream facilitated by Joe Collins (BCG) and Claudia Cox (North Central LLEN). Students explored career pathways in agriculture and engaged in an interactive trial, pulling plants from the ground to learn about crop growth stages.
BCG partnered with Agriculture Victoria, who delivered their GRDC Southern Pulse Agronomy field day alongside the Main Field Day. The North Central LLEN collaborated on the student program, while sponsors present on the day included Cloudbreak Grain Marketing, GE Silos, Intergrain, WFI Insurance, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Grain Growers, RAGT, O’Connors, Balco, Action Steel and RB Sellars.
Fiona Best summed up the sentiment of the day: “This season has presented its challenges, particularly with a dry start, but seeing farmers share knowledge, learn from researchers, and connect with peers reinforces the strength of our community. Together, we’re navigating rising costs, making informed decisions, and finding ways to achieve strong yields and healthy, resilient farm businesses.”
