BIRCHIP Cropping Group’s main research site this year will be at Kinnabulla, 25km north-west of Birchip, on the Kinnabulla West Road.
On the property of Linc Lehmann and his parents Roger and Dianne, the site will host 39 trials, a number of which are already in the ground.
These include the application of silicon and canola establishment, Future Drought Fund deep-sowing wheat and the safflower time of sowing.
BCG senior manager of research Yolanda Plowman said the team had a large program to complete.
“Like farmers, we will be busy over the next five to six weeks sowing,” Dr Plowman said.
“With 145 trials over 24 trial sites and several new BCG staff undertaking training, it is an exciting and fast-paced environment in which, as researchers, we thrive.
“The research space BCG operates in is broad,” Dr Plowman said. “We have farming systems and agronomic trials; crop varieties, performance and nutrition; as well as weeds, pests and diseases.
“Our trials this year span from Merrinee and Balranald in the north, Mitiamo to the east, Arapiles in the south and Rainbow to the west.
“We are looking forward to connecting with farmers and their communities at all our sites, extending our research to help improve farm productivity and profitability,” she said.
Over the month BCG will sow trials at Merrinee, Ouyen, Walpeup, Manangatang, Balranald, Rainbow, Hopetoun, Ultima, Quambatook, Mitiamo, Diggora, Eastville, Colbinabbin, Charlton, Kinnabulla, Curyo, Wallup, Arapiles, Warne, Longerenong, Marlbed, Murrayville, Donald and Meatian.
“With warm soil and the widespread rain received during Easter, sowing conditions are good,” Dr Plowman said.
“Our machine is gliding through with ease, we’re not getting bogged and the soil is not too hard. We are keeping our eye on the forecast for the next rain which will hopefully see crops springing out of the ground.”
BCG’s main field day will be held at the Kinnabulla site on September 13.
For more information on BCG’s research or the field day, visit bcg.org.au or call 5492 2787.
