Lake Bolac Grains forum August 23
- By: "Farm Tender" News
- Intensive Farming News
- Aug 16, 2017
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Practical opportunities for improving the profitability of farming enterprises in south western Victoria will be detailed at a grains research forum at Lake Bolac next month.
Strategies for boosting grain and grazing operations, lifting the performance of legumes on acidic soils and stabilising organic matter will be presented at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grains Research Update on August 23.
GRDC Southern Regional Panel member Jon Midwood says that while growers in the region are already at the forefront of uptake of new knowledge, practices and technologies, opportunities exist for further enhancement of their farm productivity and income.
“There is still much we can do to build on what we already have in south west Victoria, and the GRDC Update at Lake Bolac will assist in giving growers the advice and impetus needed for them to take the next step,” says Mr Midwood, who is also chief executive of Southern Farming Systems (SFS).
“The Update will give growers plenty of food for thought about potential changes they can make to their farming systems and it will also be a valuable opportunity to be brought up to date with current seasonal issues and what to expect for the remainder of the 2017 growing season.”
Among the speakers will be Helen Burns from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries who will discuss the impact of pH stratification on legume production and how aggressive management options can assist in improving the performance of legumes on acidic soil.
CSIRO’s Rick Llewellyn will advise growers on progress being made in the concept of virtual fencing and how this could assist the integration of livestock and grain enterprises.
Stabilising organic matter is a topic to be addressed by Jayne Gentry from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. She will look at the impacts of land use and crop management on the levels of organic carbon in the soil.
Agriculture Victoria’s Grant Hollaway will update growers on the status of cereal diseases in the high rainfall zone and the latest research insights on these diseases, while getting the best results from spring sowing of cereal, canola and fodder crops will be the focus of a presentation by Annieka Paridaen from Premier Ag and Jon Midwood.
To be held in partnership with SFS, the Update will be at the Lake Bolac Memorial Hall from 9am to 1pm, with lunch to follow.
For a detailed program and to register for the event please visit the GRDC events list or phone ORM on 03 5441 6176 or email admin@orm.com.au.
Picture - Speaker Rick Llewellyn, CSIRO
Picture - Speaker Rick Llewellyn, CSIRO
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