GRDC Podcast

A cohort of Legume Leaders has been established by the Grower Group Alliance in Western Australia, with investment from GRDC and the help of grower groups located from Yuna to Esperance. The Legume Leaders will be sharing their insights over a seven-part series, which will be released throughout 2024. In this introductory episode, we’re joined by GGA project manager Daniel Kidd and DPIRD senior research scientist Mark Seymour to discuss the benefits and constraints to adoption of grain legumes in the farming system, as well as the overall aims and outputs of the project. Download the transcript for this episode. Contacts: Daniel Kidd Grower Group Alliance Daniel.kidd@gga.org.au Mark Seymour Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Mark.seymour@dpird.wa.gov.au More information: Grower Group Alliance – Closing the economic yield gap of grain legumes in WA WA 'Legume Leaders' Gallery GRDC Code: GGA2110-002SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Greg Rummary Greg Rummery is an agronomist at Walgett, New South Wales. He has 30+ years experience in dryland grain production and pasture management in northern and western New South Wales. In this GRDC in Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Greg discusses how the area manages their variable environment, the evolution in farming practises in the area, his role in transitioning the science to practical on-farm solutions, farming resilience, innovation and technology, his involvement in the community and where he sees opportunities in the future. Download the transcript for this episode More Information: Join the conversation visually and see our reactions on the video podcast on YouTube GRDC Code: HAG2308-001SAX GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Autumn and Winter waterlogging is relatively common in WA’s Albany and Esperance port zones, but it can severely impact grain production. But new research is giving growers greater confidence to sow late season cereal varieties or reseed in a challenging season. The research, made possible with GRDC investment, involves Stirlings to Coast Farmers, Fitzgerald Biosphere Group and Southeast Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA). In this podcast, Lizzie Von Perger from Stirlings to Coast Farmers and Dave Cook from SEPWA talk us through the research findings and the insight collected so far. Download the transcript for this episode Contacts: Lizzy Von Perger Stirlings to Coast Framers ceo@scfarmers.org.au Michelle Hendley South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA) michelle@sepwa.org.au More Information: GRDC YouTube – Late sowing of cereals due to waterlogging GRDC farm trials portal – Results from this investment GRDC Codes: SCF2208-001SAX, SCF2306-005SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Tom Coggan. Tom Coggan is a fifth-generation farmer at Meandarra, Queensland, with integrated enterprises of cropping, cattle and sheep. Tom has recently returned to the farm and has a Masters in Agribusiness. In this GRDC in Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Tom discusses the importance of communication, his approach to managing their biggest asset being people, his aspirations in the family business, succession and evolution of the farm, balancing investments in innovation with the fundamentals of on-farm decision making, succession planning and technology adoption. Download the transcript for this episode More Information: Join the conversation visually and see our reactions on the video podcast on YouTube GRDC Code: HAG2308-001SAX GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carbendazim is a broad spectrum fungicide used to control a range of diseases on pulses. But as a schedule 7 chemical with restrictions on its use, there's growing uncertainty about maximum residue limits in some international markets. In this podcast, GRDC ‘s Gordon Cumming and Agriculture Victoria’s Dr Joshua Fanning, discuss the current situation on Carbendazim use in Australia and alternative chemical options. Dr Fanning is leading national research on integrated disease management strategies to reduce the impact of Ascochyta blight and Botrytis diseases on lentil and faba bean. The investment is being led by Agriculture Victoria, with co-investment from GRDC and support from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Field Applied Research Australia (FAR) and Trengove Consulting. Download the transcript for this episode Contact Gordon Cumming Manager Chemical Regulation gordon.cumming@grdc.com.au Dr Joshua Fanning Research Leader Plant Pathology joshua.fanning@agriculture.vic.gov.au More information Paddock Practices – Carbendazim fungicide and its continued use in Australia GRDC Code: DJP2304-004RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Anna Madden. Anna Madden and her husband Steve own and operate an irrigated farm in Wee Waa, New South Wales. While studying Rural Science, a lecturer told Anna about the role plants will play in feeding the world's growing population, and so her career projection pivoted from the livestock industry into plants and she hasn’t looked back. In this GRDC in Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Anna discusses her career progression, mentors, the balance between environment and production, their business in using biologicals to reduce the need for synthetics, learnings from overseas travel, the evolution of women’s influence in agronomy and inspiring the next generation. Anna is the brother to previous In Conversation guest, Mark Swift. This episode of GRDC in Conversation is available as a podcast and a video: Join the conversation visually and see our reactions on the video podcast GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. Download the transcript for this episode GRDC Code: HOA2202-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne is a super high-tech operation that produces powerful beams of light a million times brighter than the sun. In a partnership between GRDC, the University of South Australia and the University of Queensland, researchers have been given access to the Australian Synchrotron and it's giving them a perspective on soil they've never had before. They're using the Synchrotron's imaging and medical beamline to produce high-quality 3D imagery of roots growing directly into large, undisturbed soil cores. To find out more, we caught up with the University of South Australia's Dr Casey Doolette and Dr Peter Kopittke from the University of Queensland. Download the transcript for this episode Contacts: Dr Peter Kopittke University of Queensland p.kopittke@uq.edu.au Dr Casey Doolette University of South Australia casey.doolette@unisa.edu.au More Information: GRDC YouTube – Crop root research taken to the next level GroundCover – Synchrotron looks deep into wheat’s nutritional value GroundCover – Synchrotron technology sheds light on root distribution GRDC Code: UOQ1910-003RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tammin grower was an early adapter of the SwarmBot technology from SwarmFarm. GRDC’s GrainInnovate program has played a key role in supporting SwarmFarm’s progress and with Brad only the third person in WA to bring a bot on-farm, he has been able to harness the power of this innovation to streamline his farming operations, reduce costs, and minimise environmental impact. We spoke to Brad at a field day held on his farm as part of the 2023 Australian Precision Agriculture Symposium, hosted by SPAA and supported by GRDC. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Brad Jones Tammin grower brad@bungulla.com.au More Information: GRDC YouTube – Precision Ag in Practice: Brad Jones | Adapting technology with bots GroundCover – Bots on the ground – farming’s new army GroundCover – Hope springs from GrainInnovate pipeline GroundCover – Clocking up a week’s work in just one day GroundCover – Grower insights bolster variable rate technology workshops GRDC Code: SPA2308-001AWX, ART1903-001OPX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This summer has seen high numbers of fall armyworm (FAW) across Queensland and Northern New South Wales. In some late sown crops, FAW has had a disastrous impact and caught many growers and advisers off-guard. Dr Melina Miles, Principal Entomologist at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, shares her insights on what can be done to manage this pest in such a challenging season, and what it means for future plantings. Download the transcript for this episode. Contact: Dr Melina Miles Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland Melina.Miles@daf.qld.gov.au More information The Beatsheet – Fall armyworm GRDC Resources – Fall armyworm GRDC Webinar – Fall armyworm management tips and tactics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Net form of net blotch is an important foliar fungal disease of barley and its impact on yield and decreased profitability has prompted a new GRDC co-investment: Integrated management strategies for net form net blotch in low, medium, and high rainfall zones. This investment aims to develop and deliver cost effective integrated disease management strategies across the northern and southern regions. Nick Poole from FAR Australia gives an insight into the disease and the new research development and extension surrounding it. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Nick Poole FAR Australia nick.poole@faraustralia.com.au More Information: Fungicide resistance in barley fact sheet FAR Australia GRDC YouTube – Net form net blotch: Integrated disease management in barley GRDC Code: DAQ2304-008RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raising the bar on crop nutrition in northern New South Wales is the aim of a new partnership between Outlook Ag and GRDC. Field trials have been established to help combat very area-specific problems and improve yield in a range of crops. In this episode, we speak with three of the lead consultants from Outlook Ag – Mitch Cuell in Narrabri, Greg Giblett on the Liverpool Plains, and Greg Rummery in the Northwest. Download the transcript for this episode Content: Mitch Cuell Outlook Ag mitch@outlookag.com.au Greg Rummery Outlook Ag gregr@outlookag.com.au Greg Giblett Outlook Ag gregg@outlookag.com.au More information: Outlook Ag GRDC Code: OAG2305-001RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s 2024 and we’re looking at similar conditions across a wide portion of the country, particularly in Victoria and South Australia. There is enough soil moisture that self-sown canola will now survive until the sowing window creating the perfect green bridge for both aphids and virus. To help growers mitigate the risk over the upcoming sowing period, we speak to independent agronomist Craig Davis and research scientist Ben Congdon from WA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Ben Congdon Senior Research Scientist, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development benjamin.congdon@dpird.wa.gov.au Craig Davis Independent Agronomist craig.davis.nominees@outlook.com More information: Insecticidal control of green peach aphid and turnip yellows virus – resistance threats, limitations and future alternatives GRDC Code: DAW2305-003RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, Associate Professor Fran Lopez, Program Leader for Fungicide Resistance Management and Disease Impacts at the Centre for Crop and Disease Management at Curtin University, talks about the importance of rotating fungicides to minimise the risk of fungicide resistance developing in your paddocks. He outlines strategies for growers to implement on farm including planning ahead, understanding regional resistance concerns, disease pressure and risks, fungicide availability and the use of tools such as the AFREN Management Guide and apps to guide fungicide decisions. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Dr Anna-Sheree Krige AFREN sheree.krige@curtin.edu.au Dr Fran Lopez Ruiz AFREN/CCDM, Curtin University fran.lopezruiz@curtin.edu.au More information: AFREN Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) – Fungicide Resistance GRDC Code: CUR2302-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While previous acid soil testing practice was to not test as deep, new research, has identified greater acidic layering, where crop roots remain under the soil not benefiting from the full potential of amelioration. In this episode, we talk to Mark Richards from NSW DPI, and grower Andrew Lord about the new 5cm rule for testing soil pH. It allows the hidden acidity in lower layers to be recognised and treated, giving growers increased productivity and profit. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Mark Richards NSW DPI mrichards@nswdpi.com.au More information: Groundcover – Fixing acidity puts yields on the fast track NSW DPI – What is an acidic soil? NSW LLS – Managing soil acidity in the cropping zone GRDC webinar – Grains Research Update, online – Managing soil acidity – Identifying pH stratification to guide lime rates, acid soil management strategies and cropping programs GRDC YouTube – Acid soil management: New practices for better soil constraint identification Weedsmart – Competitive and profitable crops from fixing sub-soil acidity GRDC Code: UCS2204-001RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, University of Southern Queensland’s Centre for Crop Health Director Professor Levente Kiss talks about the challenges of managing powdery mildew in mung bean crops. Recent research trials have further validated the Powdery Mildew MBM management app and shown there is often no economic benefit in spraying the crop. As Professor Kiss points out, controlling powdery mildew in mung bean is difficult because there are limited fungicide options, and all mung bean varieties are susceptible to some degree. However, planting early is the best non-chemical way to reduce disease pressure, and growers can download and use the Powdery Mildew MBM app to determine if fungicide will deliver a benefit. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Dr Anna-Sheree Krige AFREN sheree.krige@curtin.edu.au Professor Levente Kiss University of Southern Queensland levente.Kiss@unisq.edu.au Dr Fran Lopez Ruiz AFREN/CCDM fran.lopezruiz@curtin.edu.au More information: AFREN website Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) – Fungicide Resistance University of Southern Queensland Centre for Crop Health GRDC Code: CUR2302-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep ripping is an expensive investment and a slow process, so it’s important to do it right the first time. Whether a grower is a first time or long-time ripper, it can always be done better. In this episode, Debra Bishop catches up with engineer Peter Nunn from Nufab to discuss all things ripping, as well as grower Brady Green about his first count experience of what to look out for. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Peter Nunn Nufab pnunn@nufab.com.au More information: Technology considerations for cost-effective subsoil loosening If, and when, to deep rip again GRDC YouTube – Get the most out of deep ripping: Tips on choice, set up and use of deep rippers GRDC Code: PLT1909-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast, Professor Robert Park, University of Sydney, talks about rusts and managing rusts with fungicides. Until now, there have been very few cases of resistance to fungicide in rusts. However, recent research has shown insensitivity in the barley and wheat leaf rust pathogens to Group 3 DMI fungicides. At this stage, there have been no known in-field failures of fungicides for rust but this does represent a shift. As Professor Park points out, the foundation of controlling rusts in crops needs to be based on genetics and selecting varieties with high levels of genetic resistance. The other elements of the Fungicide Resistance Five – crop rotation, non-chemical control methods, strategic spraying and rotating fungicide modes of action – are also important when controlling rusts. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Dr Anna-Sheree Krige AFREN sheree.krige@curtin.edu.au Professor Robert Park University of Sydney robert.park@sydney.edu.au Dr Fran Lopez Ruiz AFREN/CCDM fran.lopezruiz@curtin.edu.au More information: AFREN website Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) – Fungicide Resistance University of Sydney Rust Laboratory GRDC Code: CUR2302-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GRDC's Emerging Leader Award for the Northern Region in 2023 was taken home by established research agronomist Mathew Dunn. Mathew has been working as part of a farming systems research team that is looking at identifying agronomic and management factors that drive profit and optimise returns from a long-term, whole system approach. In this episode, we chat with Mathew about his research, as well as GRDC Grower Relations Manager Graeme Sandral about why Mathew was such a worthy recipient. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Mathew Dunn NSW DPI mathew.dunn@dpi.nsw.gov.au Graeme Sandral GRDC Grower Relations Manager – North graeme.sandral@grdc.com.au More information: GRDC recognises young agronomist as a prominent, emerging leader Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GRDC's National Grower Network Forums or NGNs provide opportunities for growers to meet and inform GRDC face-to-face about issues, constraints or research ideas that are acutely relevant to their farming system and location. The forums are all about designing and delivering research that's been identified and prompted from local grower feedback, drawing together local growers, regional advisors, and industry professionals to discuss local issues in a relaxed and local workshop environment. In this episode, we catch up with Luke Dawson, GRDC's Grower Relations Manager, after a constructive and spirited NGN Forum at Nyabing in WA's south-eastern Wheatbelt. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Luke Dawson, GRDC Grower Relations Manager - West luke.dawson@grdc.com.au More information: GRDC – Events GRDC Code: PIW2207-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dealing with sandy soils has long been the bane of many grain growers. But a six-year GRDC investment in sandy soil amelioration in the southern region has come up with a raft of research and grower options which are providing impressive on-farm results. Because of it, affected growers are increasingly turning to deep ripping and spading to improve productivity. In this episode, we speak with some of the experts involved in the project and hear about getting the most out of your sandy soils. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Therese McBeath CSIRO therese.mcbeath@csiro.au Dr Melissa Fraser Soil Function Consulting mel@soilfunction.com.au Dr Chris Saunders UniSA STEM chris.saunders@unisa.edu.au Royce Pitchford PINION Advisory rpitchford@pinionadvisory.com More information: GRDC – Investment list CSIRO – Sandy Soils Southern Region GRDC – Trial summary SANDBOX App GRDC Code: CSP1606-008RMX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices