YOUNG blood – and, even better, new blood – is adding some serious oomph to the Birchip Cropping Group’s Young Farmer Network.
And BCG’s senior manager of extension and communications Grace Hosking is encouraging more young farmers to join the rapidly expanding network.
Grace says BCG’s role in Vic Hub’s north-west broadacre node brought together hundreds of young farmers from across the region in recent weeks “to build knowledge, create networks and support each other” through BCG Young Farmer Network events.
Held in Kaniva, Boort, Warracknabeal, Sea Lake and Bridgewater, the events saw an influx of new members.
Grace says the diversity of the establishing group was broad, with farmers, employees, contractors and agricultural professionals attending.
“BCG’s Young Farmer Network is targeted towards the youngest generation on farm and is not exclusive to farm owners,” she says.
“We encourage registrations from anyone who wants to grow their network while keeping up to date with the latest agronomic advances.
“Registrants will have first access to event tickets and will help drive the focus of future meetings planned throughout the growing season.
“Our recent network ball in Bridgewater saw more than 300 roll up and it was a fantastic opportunity for young people with an amazing range of interest in, and connections with, farming to catch up or meet for the first time.”
Rural Bank’s agribusiness relationship manager Brittany Bickford gives BCG a big thumbs-up for establishing the Young Farmer Network and for hosting the event: “Congratulations on such a wonderful occasion.
“I had a great time and everyone I spoke to says it was well organised and they enjoyed themselves.
“What an asset this event was for our young farmer community”.
Grace says machinery investment with Dan Toohey was the topic of interest chosen by members in the Yarriambiack and Buloke areas.
She says the take-home message from the Planfarm Advisory specialist was to drought proof machinery investment – to know your numbers and implement a machinery replacement schedule.
“The financial farm adviser urged everyone there to ask themselves if, in a worst-case scenario, they would still be able to make repayments,” she says.
“Optimising spray application was a topic identified by young farmer network members in the Kaniva and Boort areas.
“Spray experts Craig Day and Lucy Paenga explained spray drift and the importance of nozzle selection at both events.
“There was also another presentation from Dan Toohey, who told the Boort event about drought-proofing machinery purchases.
“That was followed by spray demonstrations from a variety of manufacturers.”
Grace says the event was timely given the early break and the need to increase spray efficacy to not only minimise competition within crop but also reduce waste and, consequently, input and environmental costs.
She says the Kaniva event was in collaboration with Partners in Ag and Boort joined forces with Nutrien Ag Solutions.
The next BCG Young Farmer Network meetings will be held across the Wimmera Mallee in June.
To register your interest go to: bcg.org.au/services/bcg-young-farmer-network/
