The price of fertiliser has reached record highs over the past few seasons, so any option to reduce the amount of inputs being used on-farm, without impacting yield or productivity, can only be a good thing. With GRDC investment, the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia has been hosting a series of face-to-face workshops around the country to try and help growers do just that. To find out more, we speak to Bindi Isbister, a precision ag specialist from Agrarian Management in Western Austra...
Oct 10, 2023•14 min
The second tier of the Australian Grains Pest Innovation Program (AGPIP) looks at beneficial insects in Australian grain crops as an alternate pest control option. With the use of endosymbionts, the team at the University of Melbourne’s Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group (PEARG) are using new technology to help increase beneficial insect populations and supress plant virus transmission. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Dr Josh Thia University of Melbourne PEARG jos...
Oct 03, 2023•10 min
Join Dr Arun Shanmugam and Dr Gary Rosewarne from Agriculture Victoria as they discuss the impact of GRDC’s investment on the Australian Lentil Industry since its establishment in the 1990’s. This podcast also looks at the increased scale in operations and infrastructure to deliver new varieties for growers and also how new GRDC investment is expanding lentil production as a national program, into new areas of Australia, including WA. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Dr Arun S S...
Sep 26, 2023•14 min
Growers at the GRDC Grains Research Updates at Minyip in Victoria in July 2023 were told by Gerard McMullen from the National Working Party on Grain Protection that applying chemicals according to the label rate did not necessarily mean grain would meet export market requirements. Gerard joins us on this podcast to talk about changing MRLs, the chemical review being undertaken by the APVMA and why products such as carbendazim should never be used off label. Download the transcript for this episo...
Sep 19, 2023•16 min
A virtual goldmine of data generated from thousands of research, development and extension projects – all supported by GRDC – will soon be discoverable, accessible and able to be used to accelerate research outcomes. GRDC’s Data Partnerships Initiative is a $2.8 million investment over 18 months and it brings together 12 Australian research organisations that are currently working on projects in which GRDC has invested. Decades of data has been collected on a range of topics including yield, soi...
Sep 12, 2023•15 min
Spring is a critical time for disease detection in order to avoid or at least minimise yield losses; and already we are seeing higher infection levels than in previous years. Dr Hari Dadu is a senior research scientist with Agriculture Victoria has nearly a decade of experience working with crop diseases and is now leading the Septoria tritici blotch research in wheat, in the low and medium rainfall areas of the southern region. And in addition to this research, GRDC is also investing in three m...
Sep 05, 2023•17 min
Plant pathologist, Kurt Lindbeck from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) at Wagga Wagga, discusses the challenges for growers when assessing disease risk this season. What signs should growers be looking for, how is and does weather affect decision making and what are the considerations for fungicide application? Kurt’s key message for growers this season around disease detection is to get out there and walk among their crops and observe any signs of disease. Download the...
Aug 29, 2023•15 min
Data recently collected as part of the GRDC investment "Measuring Harvest Losses in the western region," has helped to identify opportunities for growers to reclaim grain that is lost during harvest. A report published on the back of this investment shows that more than $320 million dollars’ worth of grain was lost in Western Australia during the 2022/23 harvest. The podcast explores the data and what growers can do about lowering those losses. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: D...
Aug 22, 2023•10 min
Join agricultural procurement specialist and speaker at a recent GRDC Farm Business Update Rob Dawes talk about the urea supply and how to prevent getting caught short again. And then Horsham agronomist Matthew Sparke will share his insights on the strategic application of what nitrogen you do have to get the most out of it. Lack of urea supply is a major issue for growers, particularly in the south east of the country. A number of factors have contributed to the supply chain issue, and we speak...
Aug 15, 2023•15 min
At GRDC Grower Network Forums in the Western region, the issue of poor canola establishment was raised by growers in the low rainfall zone who mainly flagged problems when the crop is dry sown. This investment aimed to validate and extend previous agronomic and management research on how to successfully establish canola in those regions and conditions. To find out more, we speak to Living Farm’s Andrew Wherrett, who has been leading the project, along with Merredin grower Phillip Gray who has a ...
Aug 08, 2023•15 min
Trials taking place in Western Australia aim to provide growers with information and resources to increase the effectiveness of claying on poor soil. In this podcast, Dan Fay from Stirlings to Coast Farmers discusses the benefits and long-term soil amelioration that can be achieved by claying and grower Ben Webb shares his experiences with the trials and how it has positively affected yields. Contact: Dan Fay Stirlings to Coast Farmers ceo@scfarmers.org.au Watch the Improving claying efficiency ...
Aug 02, 2023•17 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Terry Horan. Joining us from central Tasmania this week is agronomic specialist Terry Horan, in our last episode of Series 2 of the GRDC podcast In Conversation. For more than 40 years, Terry has been actively involved in agronomy in the low, medium and high rainfall cropping areas. He grew up in between Trundle and Parks, NSW, studied in Wagga, then his career took him from Temora to Tassie and from across the government to the privat...
Jul 30, 2023•39 min
As part of the Australian Grains Pest Innovation Program’s (AGPIP) blue sky approach to tackling insect pests in Australian grain crops, endosymbionts are being used to influence an insect’s ability to transmit crop viruses and resist pesticides. Dr Perran Ross from the University of Melbourne’s Pest and Environmental Adaptation Research Group (PEAR–G) explains what endosymbionts are, how they are being used and what impact they will have; and PhD student, Eloise Ansermin explains the new behavi...
Jul 25, 2023•14 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Dr Allan Mayfield. In 2021, Allan was granted the GRDC Recognising and Rewarding Excellence Award for the southern region for his long-standing input and commitment to the nation’s grains industry. And it's not just the grains industry he's impressed, with Allan named as SA's Australia Day Citizen of the Year 2020. Allan grew up on the Eyre Peninsula, going onto become a researcher in plant pathology and eventually starting his own con...
Jul 23, 2023•49 min
WeedSmart provides solutions to control crop weeds using the ‘Big 6’ principles utilising herbicide, mechanical and cultural tactics. 2023 marks ten years of the WeedSmart program, with a focus on spray efficacy as part of the ‘Big 6’. WeedSmart agronomists, Jana Dixon and Greg Condon discuss the benefits of the WeedSmart ‘Big 6’ as they prepare for WeedSmart Week on 1 August in Dubbo, New South Wales. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Jana Dixon WeedSmart high rainfall zone agro...
Jul 18, 2023•12 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Dr Lynne MacDonald. Dr Lynne MacDonald is a research scientist with CSIRO where she leads a portfolio of research on soil carbon and low emissions agriculture. Her early love of agriculture and childhood memories of playing in the dirt stem back to Scotland. Years later, she was awarded a fellowship which saw her move to Canada, but she eventually landed in South Australia to study intensive cropping systems, and she has made it our co...
Jul 16, 2023•36 min
Across the country, many growers have not had much of a break between harvest and this season's operations… and this comes on top of a tough couple of years that included the unpredictability of mother nature, as well as a global pandemic. This podcast explores strategies for maintaining a healthy mindset while under pressure. We spoke to Kim Huckerby from ‘The Wellbeing Affect’ who shares practical advice and steps that everyone can take. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Kim Hu...
Jul 11, 2023•16 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with James Hunt. James Hunt is a Professor of agronomy at the University of Melbourne, but his journey there was interesting and included touring Europe as part of a heavy metal rock band and some home brewing detours. He grew up on a farm in western Victoria and has done quite a bit in the world of grain crop research and farming systems. James talks about the challenge of going from a researcher to a lecturer, how passionate he is about a...
Jul 09, 2023•28 min
Dr Kym Perry from SARDI discusses all things snails including how they got to Australia and have spread across the whole country. He also discusses the new GRDC investment looking at monitoring techniques, biological control and a multifaceted approach to dealing with the widespread problem affecting the grains industry. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Dr Kym Perry SARDI Entomology Project leader kym.perry@sa.gov.au More Information: Groundcover Article – Multifaceted approach ...
Jul 04, 2023•18 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Lawrence Richmond. Growing up in Watchem in western Victoria, Lawrence Richmond had no idea that there were opportunities to be a farmer beyond his farm gate. But at 21, he picked up work in the world of corporate agriculture, opening his eyes to a world of possibility. Fast forward to today and Lawrence joins us from Romania, where he consults and helps to manage properties with farmers in Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. His ...
Jul 02, 2023•38 min
Soilborne disease and root health in cereals and pulses often doesn't get the attention it deserves because it's quite literally out of sight, out of mind. In this podcast, researchers Blake Gontar and Dr Liz Farquharson of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions in South Australia, share their insight on identifying and managing soilborne diseases in cereals and pulses. They’re involved in a serie...
Jun 27, 2023•11 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Tanja Morgan. Twenty years ago, Tanja took up a job in the Mallee for a better work opportunity but was ‘devastated’ to move to the area. However, the place grew on her and farming in the Mallee has since become a large part of her life. She’s even moved further away from the big smoke residing in the little town of Geranium where she is a dog trainer, farmer and communicator. With an optimistic outlook on life and a refreshing approac...
Jun 25, 2023•35 min
GRDC, the Irrigated Cropping Council and the NSW Department of Primary Industries have teamed up to explore the influence of soil amelioration and soil amendments on crop yield and profitability in irrigated farming systems. So far there have been mixed results from the project which aims to give growers an understanding of the costs and benefits of deep ripping on sodic soils. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Irrigated Cropping Council Damian Jones damian.jones@irrigatedcroppin...
Jun 20, 2023•10 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Professor Andrew Barr. Andy is a valued SA local and well-known across the grains industry. He joins us to talk about his childhood memories on a mixed farm, where he developed a love for innovation, inspiring him to study agricultural science that led to a 30-year career in plant breeding. Andy shares his experiences of travelling the world and supporting grains research-for-development across some of the most interesting parts of the...
Jun 18, 2023•38 min
The southern region is experiencing its worst season of slug infestation. GRDC is so aware of the problems growers are having with slugs, that it currently has a tender out to invest further in slug research. Meantime we catch up with agronomist, Tim Pohlner and invertebrate ecologist, Dr Michael Nash to discuss trouble shooting the problem now and in future seasons. Download the transcript for this episode Contact : Dr Michael Nash Invertebrate Ecologist whatbugsyou@gmail.com More Information :...
Jun 13, 2023•14 min
🎙️ Terry is the chair of Grains Australia Limited and this year was presented with a GRDC Seed of Gold award. In this episode, Terry talks about his passion for agriculture and how he started his career in the 1970s in Mount Barker, WA. Despite challenges like the collapse of the wool industry, Terry and his peers persevered, transitioning to grain and livestock. He shares his insights into WA’s Great Southern region, such as its Mediterranean climate and its reliance on winter rainfall for dry...
Jun 12, 2023•30 min
Camilla Plunkett attends a demonstration day at Dalyup, WA to look at the latest in tile ploughing, a solution being used in the GRDC investment trial exploring sub-surface drainage ROI. Project officer Sophie Willsher from South Coast Natural Resource Management and grower, Rohan Marold discuss all things sub-surface drainage, including a ‘how to’ for growers; and the challenges and rewards of this method. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Sophie Willsher, South Coast Natural Re...
Jun 06, 2023•10 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Dr Kevin Moore. A renowned plant pathologist, Kevin was recognised in 2023 with GRDC's highest accolade - a Seed of Gold award - for his work in crop protection. His extensive 55-year career has had long-lasting effects on the grains industry, with his research outcomes and pulse disease management strategies still actively used by fellow researchers and growers to improve profitability to this day. GRDC Project Code: HOA2202-001SAX Le...
Jun 04, 2023•22 min
Deborah Bishop finds out about the latest in canola genetics from CSIRO’s Dr Matt Nelson. Dr Nelson gives an insight into the GRDC invested genetics project exploring the key genetic traits contributing to successful canola establishment. The project also aims to provide canola breeders with improved genetics from overseas varieties and selection tools to accelerate the breeding of varieties with better establishment potential. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Dr Matthew Nelson ...
May 30, 2023•10 min
🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Dan Bingham. Dan runs a large-scale contracting and farming business Bingham Agriculture, from his home base in Skipton, Victoria. He loves the balance of the contracting and farming, lights up when he talks about supporting young people enter the industry and get their start, and says it's the "happy faces and good crops" that are his inspiration. GRDC Project Code: HOA2202-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...
May 28, 2023•33 min
