MANAGING the rising costs of production to still make a profit and summer weed control will be the focus of Birchip Cropping Group’s trial review day next week. 
BCG members will have the opportunity to learn from Planfarm Advisory farm business consultant based in Western Australia, Peter Newman and BCG Research Agronomist Angus Butterfield and ICAN Rural Senior Consultant Mark Congreve.
Newman intends to share his extensive experience, working with both growers and industry, to share insights on how to grow a profitable crop and achieve long-term business sustainability.
Butterfield and Congreve will present the latest research and practical management strategies for summer weed control with a focus on fleabane. 
Newman’s presentation will focus on the importance of making strategic decisions during good years to set up long- term success, managing costs and understanding operating efficiency. He will also provide practical strategies to manage variable costs like labour, chemicals, fertiliser and insurance. 
Additionally, Newman will address the financial pressures many growers are facing, including the challenges of rising input costs and balancing debt repayments. 
“Every season comes with its challenges, but there are always opportunities to improve business performance,” Newman said. 
Butterfield and Congreve’s presentation will focus on the latest research and practical management strategies with support from their experiences with fleabane management. 
Butterfield undertook two trials researching the weed near Birchip, Victoria in the summer of 2023-24, focussing on double-knock control. The first trial investigated the effectiveness of different first pass options and the second trial, second pass treatments. “Fleabane becomes increasingly difficult to manage once it matures, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for total control. The most successful growers are those who take a planned approach, using a double-knock strategy and targeting the plants when they’re young to stay ahead of the problem,” says Butterfield.
Complimenting BCG’s local research, Congreve brings 40 years’ experience working with weeds and herbicides, including 15 years of practical field experience with fleabane in northern regions of Australia. 
“There is no one strategy for controlling fleabane, but simple practices such as getting on top of it early and getting the product into the plant under the right spray conditions results in most effective control. Growers should consider the age of the plant relative to its root size when devising their control strategy.” Congreve said about his experiences. 
BCG’s Trials Review Day is a members-only event, providing growers with tools and insights to improve productivity and profitability.