Birchip Cropping Group has become a major player on the national agricultural stage and is now running a large slice of the GRDC-funded National Variety Trials – this year that includes 77 sites across the state.
Which are being run in tandem with 99 of its own trials investigating other agronomic or farming system questions around weed and pest management, chemical efficacy and other farming systems and crop agronomy-related issues.
From a 1992 idea by a few Birchip and district farmers keen to see some relevant, local ag research, BCG has grown to a staff of 27 and established a national – and international – reputation as an independent and innovative organisation.
Chief executive Fiona Best told North West Farmer BCG was today the largest, and one of the most established, farming systems groups in Australia.
Ms Best said her organisation had “seen incremental improvement over the decades in variety performance”.
She said with the continuous advances in areas such as gene technology, breeding programs were working hard to ensure desirable traits were being developed in new lines.
“For BCG, seeing how these traits are expressed in local trials is exciting and we are pleased to be part of the process in delivering independent results to farmers through the GRDC NVT program,” Ms Best said.
“We have sown a total of 176 trials across 50 sites spread across the Wimmera, Mallee, and North Central regions, meaning we can deliver locally relevant information to more growers – and that’s crucial for them.
“It’s important we can continue to rigorously assess the latest varieties in the environments in which our farmers are wanting to grow them.
“Ultimately, the research BCG conducts ensures farmers have access to locally derived information to support their decision making and improve profitability.”
Fiona said BCG had built a highly qualified and experienced team to deliver its work in applied agronomic research and extension.
She said the research program was led by Dr Yolanda Plowman, with Grace Hosking at the helm of the extension team. Operations and trial programs were managed by researcher Brooke Bennett.
“One of our strengths, I believe, is we are still very proudly farmer led – eight of the 12 board members are farmers from across the region and they understand what they and their neighbours, and their industry, truly need,” Ms Best said.
“BCG is also supported by 48 advisory committee members who provide invaluable feedback to us, with all our progress, results and data communicated to farmers and members via field days, targeted workshops and information days, podcasts, technical bulletins, and social media.
“The group prides itself on delivering locally relevant, timely and topical information to farmers and we also do that through strong collaborations with universities, state agencies, federal government, industry, and the philanthropic community.
“BCG has been integral in the adoption of new agronomic technologies and farming practices; and continues to help farmers make decisions, develop risk management strategies, increase profits and operate sustainable farming operations.
“And our members enjoy access to premium information, including technical bulletins, BCG season research results and free entry to flagship events.
“In a nutshell, BCG improves the prosperity of Australian broadacre farmers through applied science-based research, and extension.”
The organisation’s research committee helps guide BCG’s work to provide farmers with that information and those resources to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their farm businesses.
The research committee is made up of agricultural doctorates (or equivalent) selected by their appropriate credentials and research nous and it meets regularly throughout the year to review the BCG research program and provide scientific input and direction.
Current members are:
David Hudson (chair)
Dr. Cherie Reilly (Corack farmer)
Dr. Harm van Rees (Crop Facts, Bendigo)
Ian McClelland OAM (Birchip, BCG founder and board member)
Professor James Hunt (Melbourne, University of Melbourne, BCG board)
Dr. Tony Gregson (Warracknabeal farmer)
Dr. Zvi Hochman (Sydney)
Caroline Welsh (Berriwillock farmer)
Dr. Steve Jefferies AM (Director Jefferies Ag Solutions)
Professor Marisa Collins (La Trobe University)
Tim McClelland (Birchip farmer, GRDC Southern Panel member and invited guest)
John Ferrier (BCG chair and invited guest)
Ms Best said examples of BCG’s direct interaction with its membership base, research projects and industry events was easy to follow on its calendar.
She said, for example, on June 14 the group staged a free webinar (impacts on soil erosion – cover copping and grazing) which featured reports on BCG trials along with input from experts such as principal CSIRO research scientist Dr mark Farrell.
“On July 25 the Innovation Generation conference will be held on the Gold Coast and BCG is providing 10 free tickets to people in agriculture and aged between 18 and 35 to attend,” she said.
“The on July 31 we will be staging another industry day crop walk where people can come along and hear the latest updates on products recently launched or near launch, and how to get the most out of them when applying to commercial situations.
“Just a few ways in which BCG is making farming better for its members and the wider industry.”
