Hundreds of farmers from across the Wimmera and Mallee are expected to gather near Birchip on September 11 for the Birchip Cropping Group annual Main Field Day.
Now in its 27th year, this year’s Field Day will be held 9km west of Birchip, on the Sunraysia Highway.
With over thirty presenters covering a range of cropping and livestock topics, the program is set to have something for everyone.
The trials on show have been developed to cover many production challenges and developments including weed management, disease pressure, variety choice, soil nitrogen management and much more.
Stuart Nagel from South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and Josh Fanning from Agriculture Victoria will be sharing their knowledge of vetch varieties and disease management. They will be discussing the suitability of advanced breeding lines and existing vetch varieties in the Victorian Mallee, including disease management strategies and sowing times.
Expanding on the ‘Seeder Demonstration Day’ held in April this year is the session; ‘How did it grow? Seeder technology performance in optimising canola establishment’. The session will feature machine owners and representatives, with a discussion on how each seeder performed and their impact on canola plant establishment.
BCG are also excited to welcome Pauline Mele, Microbial Ecologist from Agriculture Victoria, to present a session on soil biology’s impact on soil structure and nitrogen use efficiency.
The main field day will also have member trials on display for attendees to visit, including; early opportunity canola and winter wheat, canola nitrogen management, a herbicide matrix and pulse inoculant, just to name a few.
2019 also sees the return of the Rural Bank parents’ retreat. A popular addition in 2018, this provides parents with facilities for nappy changing, breast feeding and kids activities.
BCG thanks the site owners Lachlan and Andrew Barber in generously providing the two paddocks for this year’s main site.
Entry is free for BCG members and $50 for non-members, starting with breakfast at 8.15am, with official proceedings commencing at 9am.
For more information about the event visit www.bcg.org.au/events or phone 03 5492 2787.
