BCG extension manager Ciara Cullen said the annual event covered many topics.

“We had a discussion on hay management for drought and frost-affected crops,” she said.

“We also had a discussion on beet western yellow virus and how it has affected various canola varieties.”

BCG agronomist Harm van Rees said between Anzac Day and May 5 was the ideal sowing time to avoid severe frost periods.

“Sowing too early makes crops susceptible to risk because they are flowering during the high frost period,” he said.

“If you sow too late it sets up crops to be susceptible to heat shock or hot weather during flowering.”

BCG research agronomist Simon Craig said farmers should consider their circumstances before choosing canola varieties.

He said soil moisture and environment, delivery point logistics and herbicide groups were all key factors in choosing the right canola variety.

“On a large farm it would be hard to adopt roundup-ready varieties,” he said.

“Ultimately, the variety will only be as good as you manage it.

“To manage it successfully you need to tick off those other things first.”

Mr Craig said the effects of the Beet Western Yellow Virus had been fully realised and farmers’ attention had turned to rain.

“Moisture is probably our biggest concern at the moment – whether it’s going to finish off the season or not.”

He said Wimmera farmers needed rain in the next two to three weeks.

“They’re well set up for the season but they’ve got to be mindful of frost and running out of moisture.”

He said the northern Wimmera was not as well-placed as other areas.

“West Wimmera and central Wimmera are well-placed for the season – the crops are looking really good,” Mr Craig said.

Department of Environment and Primary Industries plant pathologist Frank Henry said the beet western yellow virus needed to be stopped early.

“The critical time is early – that’s when you get the big yield losses,” he said.

Mr Henry said the Wimmera had not experienced as much damage from the virus as expected.

He said Transform was an effective pesticide but was not approved for use on pulses.

Mr Henry said it was important to check the label on chemicals and warned beekeepers to move their hives if they were going to spray.