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The Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) has awarded its first Lifetime Membership to Barossa local, Bruce Hancock. Awarded in recognition of his invaluable service to BIGG, Bruce received the accolade at the BIGG Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September this year.

The Barossa Improved Grazing Group celebrated the first year of the Incorporated Body at it’s second AGM on Friday 25th September at Wanera Wine Bar in Angaston. The evening was attended by over 20 producers who helped celebrate BIGG’s achievements which included the continuation of the MLA Producer Demonstration Site.

The increase in supplementary feeding ewes, over the last few dry seasons, has meant feeding in containment, has been an effective tool for managing pregnant ewes. It has the added benefits of maintaining ground cover and minimising energy wastage from sheep wandering around large, bare paddocks.

Forty-five farmers from across the Barossa, Mid North and Adelaide Hills attended the Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) Containment Ewe Tour on Wednesday 4th March at various locations around the Barossa Valley.

The Barossa Improved Grazing Group has continued its growth, establishing itself as a trusted group within the farming community, by appointing a new Board at its first AGM as an incorporated body on Wednesday 18th September.

BIGG’s 4th annual conference, Thriving into the Future was held at the Nuriootpa Sports & Function Centre on Thursday 21 March 2019. Producers shared their experiences and strategies for coping with tough times, demonstrating a positive attitude and readiness to make necessary changes in their businesses.

LIVESTOCK producers are being encouraged to view their farming operations from a range of perspectives, including livestock, land, business and people, as part of a way to deal with challenging conditions.

THRIVING in challenging conditions requires livestock producers to look at their farms from a range of perspectives including livestock, land, business and people. The Barossa Improved Grazing Group (BIGG) is focussing on helping producers consider these perspectives in their fourth annual conference ‘Thriving into the Future’

Moculta mixed farmer and principal of Bunyara Merino and Poll Merino stud, Ian Koch is currently hosting two Nuriootpa High School students as part of their agricultural school based apprenticeship.

In July 2018, long time BIGG supporter and mentor, Bruce Hancock (Senior Livestock Consultant, PIRSA-Rural Solutions SA) was bestowed as a Fellow of the Australian Society of Animal Production. Bruce received this prestigious award at the society’s biennial conference in Wagga Wagga, for his tireless commitment to developing the livestock industry and mentoring the next generation. Bruce received the award from ASAP President, Phil Hynd.