General News
20 May, 2026
Agriculture Minister visits Birchip
Birchip Cropping Group welcomed Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development, Michaela Settle, to Birchip recently.
Minister Settle was eager to visit BCG, the leading agricultural research organisation in north-west Victoria, to learn more about the work they are carrying out to support farmers across the region.
As part of the visit, Minister Settle toured BCG’s Phosphorus Use Efficiency trial at Lachy Barber’s property in Karyie.
Soils expert Dr James Nuttall guided the Minister through the site while the program was being sown by BCG team, Lucy Giles, plus Darren and Kelly Angel.
The trial focuses on improving phosphorus availability in highly calcareous soils, where phosphorus is often locked away and unavailable to crops.
The project will generate actionable data to support grower decision-making for the best phosphorus management on high P-fixing soils within the Mallee and Wimmera.
BCG CEO Fiona Best provided the Minister with an overview of BCG’s work, highlighting the organisation’s long-standing contribution to research, innovation and farmer-driven outcomes.
The visit welcomed the opportunity to discuss future BCG projects, including the vision for BCG Nexus and how continued collaboration can strengthen research outcomes for Victorian farmers.
BCG Nexus is a proposed accommodation and conference facility in Birchip.
The project is designed to attract researchers, students and industry professionals to spend time in the region, working directly with farmers and gaining a deeper understanding of the realities faced by our farming communities.
The facility will provide a central hub where visitors can engage with local producers, conduct trials and ensure research and development outcomes are practical, relevant and readily adopted.