Benefits of being a NCOGA Member
Through the initiative of key growers and a proactive breeding programme, funded by the GRDC, the NSW DPI and CSIRO, the North Coast of NSW is now one of the most consistent and reliable soybean producing areas in Australia boasting good yields from rain-grown crops (>4t/ha) and the quality often equal or better than irrigated crops in the Riverina region or the Darling Downs. The North Coast Oilseed Growers Association has been there along the way running numerous field days and workshops to help growers get the most out of their crops by guiding them in all agronomy and marketing aspects. Recent Workshops have included - spray technology, planter set-up demonstrations, harvest workshops, grain storage and pest management.
We also pride ourselves in the early adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), as we were having trouble with some resistant insects, which due to the adoption of IPM and letting nature work with us, has taken care of itself.
Our Association conducted a lot of training days and field walks in the early stages of IPM to get all our growers up to speed on the understanding and application of IPM in their crops. We also have a very good relationship with all the Industry experts in their specific areas of insects, diseases and nutrition, which we call on to give presentations on relevant issues to keep our growers at the leading edge of all issues and updates in our Industry.
We run a soybean crop competition every year to not only highlight the best growers of the season, but to highlight the key management strategies that made the crops the best. A bus trip is run to allow other growers see how these management strategies could be adopted to improve their productivity on their own farms, and to share ideas amongst themselves.
ABOUT US
The structure of our Association is a non-profit volunteer Association consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and an executive committee. Meetings are held as required to organise and discuss upcoming events or issues. We are also affiliated with Soy Australia and give our full support to this national peak body. Our members have the choice of joining Soy Australia as well as our Association through a modest annual membership fee. Everyone with an interest in soybean growing, processing or other aspects of the soybean industry are welcome to join our Association. We offer corporate and grower memberships. An Annual General Meeting is held each year and all prospective members are invited to come along and meet other soyabean growers and guest speakers.