Birchip Cropping Group
From Research to Field Decisions
Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) is a farmer-led research organisation supporting growers across Victoria’s North West region with independent, locally relevant agricultural research.
Problem
BCG has over 30 years of trusted, independent local research — but no fast way to access it when decisions need to be made.
Growers and advisors needed practical answers specific to their region, yet finding relevant insights meant searching through archives and historical reports. The knowledge was there — but it wasn’t available instantly at the point of decision-making.
Solution
BCG launched ChatBCG, built on the Caitlyn platform, to make 30+ years of independent local research accessible in seconds — grounded entirely in BCG’s own content.
ChatBCG delivers evidence-based, regionally relevant answers while giving BCG visibility into what members are asking most.
Why it works for BCG:
Grounded in local trials — answers come directly from BCG’s independent research
Built for decision support — practical guidance growers can confidently act on
Available anytime, anywhere — in the paddock, in the office, or at the kitchen table
Actionable insights for BCG — visibility into member questions and emerging trends
Impact
Members and advisors now have 24/7 access to trusted, plain-language answers drawn directly from BCG’s independent research.
Questions asked since launch
1.5k
Unique topics explored
687
Busiest day of the week
Wed
Technology
ChatBCG runs within BCG’s secure AWS environment and uses advanced retrieval to connect questions with the most relevant local trials, reports, and historical insights.
Its architecture preserves document structure and context across decades of research, ensuring answers remain grounded and traceable — while built-in analytics reveal usage patterns that help BCG refine and prioritise future research delivery.