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GRDC Podcast

430 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago -

Investing in RD&E to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers

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Episodes

Fall armyworm insights for when the season feels unmanageable

March 26, 2024 22:00 - 9 minutes

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 Mel...

Integrated management strategies for net form net blotch

March 19, 2024 22:00 - 17 minutes

Net form 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 a...

Integrated management strategies for net form of net blotch

March 19, 2024 22:00 - 17 minutes

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 developmen...

Raising the bar on crop nutrition

March 12, 2024 22:00 - 13 minutes

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...

Managing green peach aphids and the emerging turnip yellows virus risk in canola

March 05, 2024 22:10 - 20 minutes

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 Deve...

AFREN podcast series – The why and how of rotating fungicides to minimise the risk of resistance

February 29, 2024 22:19 - 18 minutes

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 ...

Acid soil management – 5cm rule for soil pH testing

February 27, 2024 22:00 - 10 minutes

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 ...

AFREN podcast series – Mung bean powdery mildew; fungicide sensitivities and management for Queensland growers (2/3)

February 22, 2024 22:00 - 14 minutes

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 susc...

Getting the most out of deep ripping

February 20, 2024 22:00 - 14 minutes

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 [email protected] More information: Tec...

AFREN podcast series – Rusts and managing rusts with fungicides (1/3)

February 15, 2024 22:00 - 20 minutes

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...

2023 Emerging Leader for the Northern Region: Mathew Dunn

February 13, 2024 22:00 - 7 minutes

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. Dow...

National Grower Network Forums – have your say

February 06, 2024 22:00 - 11 minutes

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...

Ameliorating sandy soils to increase production

January 30, 2024 22:00 - 20 minutes

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. ...

Longevity benefits after soil amelioration

January 23, 2024 22:00 - 18 minutes

Almost six million hectares of WA's sand-plain soils in the medium and high-rainfall zones feature multiple constraints, including water repellence, acidity, and compaction. An estimated 250,000 hectares of those six million have been ameliorated, typically involving strategic one-off deep tillage. A GRDC investment is helping to determine the longevity benefits following soil amelioration, looking at crop rotations, species choice and seedbed preparation. We hear from Dr. Stephen Davies from...

Behavioural insights and motivations into spraying

January 16, 2024 22:00 - 15 minutes

A GRDC investment focused on grower decision making for summer spraying has revealed several insights into the behaviours that motivate different spray decisions. It’s hoped that the outcomes of this research will help growers to better understand what might be affecting their decision making and influencing the effectiveness of their spray programs. This podcast will be followed by a series of workshops to be held mid-2024, that will include planning and management tools and strategies for g...

Rutherglen bug: risk forecasting and management 

January 09, 2024 22:00 - 11 minutes

Although it may be native to the northern region, the Rutherglen bug has, in recent years, changed its behaviour and its diet has expanded. It can now do significant damage to a range of summer crops. Very little is known about the ecology of the Rutherglen Bug; and as part of a GRDC investment, CSIRO has partnered with New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and the University of Queensland to help the industry better understand and improve its management. In this episode, we hear f...

Measuring the impact of organic soil ameliorants

December 19, 2023 22:00 - 12 minutes

Incorporating readily available organic-soil ameliorants to boost productivity of sandy soils, has been the focus of a three-year GRDC investment in the medium to high rainfall zones of Western Australia's Wheatbelt. The experiments, using organic ameliorates such as hay, stubble straw, and manure, monitored effects of amelioration on crop growth and yield with results varying across trial sites. The trials and investment are almost complete with data currently being collated for year three. ...

Genetic gains in wheat

December 12, 2023 22:00 - 8 minutes

A trial near Bolgart in WA is showcasing historic wheat varieties, allowing growers to look back in time to measure yield and genetic gains that wheat breeders have achieved over the past 50 years. The trial site features 48 varieties starting from the late 60s, up to the most recent varieties of two to three years ago, including bread wheat, Clearfield-tolerant wheat, and udon wheat varieties. The different varieties see improved grain size, disease resistance, weight, and crop height, brin...

GRDC in Conversation: David Robb

December 10, 2023 22:00 - 41 minutes

🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with David Robb. David Anthony Robb is an Irrigation Advisor for Goanna Ag. He is also a grain producer, agricultural enthusiast, and UQ Agribusiness & Agricultural Science graduate. In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, David talks about life growing up on his family’s grain and cattle property west of Goondiwindi. David spent 14 years working on the farm before pursuing university and challenging himself to grow beyond the family bus...

On-farm Grain Storage podcast series – Silo maintenance (3/3)

December 05, 2023 22:00 - 12 minutes

Gas-tight sealable silos are the preferred system of grain storage and like all on-farm machinery, they require an annual maintenance health check, including pressure testing the silo. How can we ensure our silo’s health and avoid problems such as weather damage, wear, corrosion, deterioration to inlet and outlet seals and leaks? In this episode, we hear from GRDC's Grain Storage Extension team members, Ben White and Alex Conway on a detailed rundown and timing for that all-important annual s...

GRDC in conversation: Paul McIntosh

December 03, 2023 22:00 - 48 minutes

🎙 Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Paul McIntosh.  Mention the name Paul McIntosh to anyone in the northern grains industry and it’s almost guaranteed to invoke a smile, a humorous quip or an anecdote about his seemingly-boundless agronomic knowledge.  Mr McIntosh, or Macca as he’s better known to many, is one of the region’s most recognised and respected agronomists and has been a luminary in broadening the understanding, adoption and community recognition of best pra...

On-farm Grain Storage podcast series – Masks and meters (2/3)

November 28, 2023 22:00 - 10 minutes

Phosphine fumigation is commonly used in gas-tight, sealed silos to control weevils in grain. While phosphine is dangerous, it can be used safely with responsible handling and management. In this episode, we chat with Grain Storage Extension Project lead Chris Warrick, along with Alex Conway about the significant safety around phosphine, including masks and meters, which remains the most relied upon fumigant to control stored grain pests in Australia’s grain production systems. Download the t...

GRDC in conversation: Mark Swift

November 26, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour

🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Mark Swift. Mark Swift and his family farm 13 different cereal, oilseed, pulse and fibre crops across 4,000 hectares at Parkes, in Central West NSW. In this GRDC In Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Mark discusses the family’s farming operation, the intellectual and physical challenges of farming, and the balance of technology, tradition, and innovation in agriculture. Download the transcript for this episode Please be advised...

National Variety Trials (NVT) New Variety Podcast series – Canola

November 23, 2023 22:00 - 14 minutes

The NVT program aims to assist Australian grain growers in varietal decision making by providing comparative information of commercially available grain varieties, including on yield performance, on disease resistance ratings and on grain quality.  In this four-part series we will hear from a range of breeders – across seven crop types – and each one will provide information on newly commercialised cultivars in the NVT program that will be available to growers for the first time in the upcomi...

On-farm Grain Storage podcast series – Storage and aeration (1/3)

November 21, 2023 22:00 - 12 minutes

From cone and flat-bottomed silos, to sheds, bunkers, bags, and pits, grain storage options today are seemingly endless. It is not always the case that the cheapest option will be the most cost effective over time. Nor will the most expensive always be the most appropriate for your needs. On top of this, there is the need to keep your grain free from moisture, condensation, mould, and insects, which an aeration system can do by maintaining lower temperatures and consistent conditions. So, whe...

GRDC in conversation: Maree Crawford

November 19, 2023 22:00 - 37 minutes

Maree Crawford is a passionate contributor to the Australian agricultural industry with a focus on delivering solutions through research, technology and best practice. She is a Technical Services Manager with Elders, and Non-Executive Director at Tosari Crop Research Centre. In this episode, Maree discusses what it was like growing up with 10 brothers, her love of sports, career influences, and the importance of upskilling young people in agriculture.  View the transcript for this episode. Le...

National Variety Trials (NVT) New Variety podcast series – Barley and Oats

November 16, 2023 22:00 - 5 minutes

The NVT program aims to assist Australian grain growers in varietal decision making by providing comparative information of commercially available grain varieties, including on yield performance, on disease resistance ratings and on grain quality. In this four-part series we will hear from a range of breeders – across seven crop types – and each one will provide information on newly commercialised cultivars in the NVT program that will be available to growers for the first time in the upcomin...

Preventing harvester fires in lentils

November 14, 2023 22:00 - 15 minutes

With growers in the middle of harvest around the country, harvester fires are somewhat inevitable at this time of year. However, there are actions we can take to mitigate the risk. With lentil crops particularly susceptible to harvester fires, we spoke to Ben White from the Kondinin Group, as well as Adrian McCabe, a grower from South Australia, to find out why and what steps can be taken to reduce the chance of these incidents occurring. First up Ben explains the primary causes of harvester ...

GRDC in conversation: Tim Neale

November 12, 2023 22:05 - 39 minutes

🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Tim Neale. For more than 20 years, Tim Neale has been running his own businesses and managing research, development and extension projects for broad spectrum of clients across a variety of agricultural sectors. He's was recognised as the Australian rural consultant of the year in 2018 and he is the co-founder of Data Farming – an ag technology company which services more than 35,000 farms across 50 countries with satellite imagery an...

National Variety Trials (NVT) New Variety podcast series – Lentil, lupin and sorghum

November 09, 2023 22:00 - 16 minutes

The NVT program aims to assist Australian grain growers in varietal decision making by providing comparative information of commercially available grain varieties, including on yield performance, on disease resistance ratings and on grain quality. In this four-part series we will hear from a range of breeders – across seven crop types – and each one will provide information on newly commercialised cultivars in the NVT program that will be available to growers for the first time in the upcomin...

The Australian Grains Genebank

November 07, 2023 22:00 - 17 minutes

The Australian Grains Genebank (AGG) is the centrepiece of grain crop genetic resources for the Australian grains industry. Since it's opening in 2014, it has been a partnership between the Victorian Government (Agriculture Victoria) and GRDC. An additional $30M will support digital innovation and connectivity to international genebanks, improve the operational function, and establish new long term seed storage, laboratories and work areas. Join the AGG leader Dr Sally Norton and plant pathol...

GRDC in conversation: Roy Hamilton

November 05, 2023 22:00 - 46 minutes

🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Roy Hamilton. Roy is a long-standing northern panel member who operates a 4400-ha mixed family farming enterprise near Rand in NSW’s Riverina with his wife Leanne and son Michael. In this episode, Roy speaks about the life experiences, influences and lessons that have shaped him into person he is today, and the advice he has for future generations of Australian grain growers. Download the transcript for this episode Learn more about ...

National Variety Trials (NVT) New Variety podcast series – Wheat

November 02, 2023 22:00 - 19 minutes

The NVT program aims to assist Australian grain growers in varietal decision making by providing comparative information of commercially available grain varieties, including on yield performance, on disease resistance ratings and on grain quality.  In this four-part series we will hear from a range of breeders – across seven crop types – and each one will provide information on newly commercialised cultivars in the NVT program that will be available to growers for the first time in the upcomi...

Beneficials Chemical Toxicity table: Use it or lose ‘em

October 31, 2023 22:00 - 10 minutes

Beneficial insects play an important role in providing natural pest suppression for growers in cereal crops across Australia. Until recently there was no scientifically proven guide to help growers monitor the impacts of commonly used insecticides on beneficial insects. Rosie Knapp, from Cesar Australia, explains the new resource for growers.   Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Rosie Knapp  Cesar Australia  [email protected]  More Information:  Cesar Australia – The Be...

Implementing variable rate technology on-farm

October 24, 2023 22:00 - 12 minutes

The Longmire’s farm at Beaumont, near Esperance in Western Australia, have been experimenting with variable rate technology for more than 20 years. As pros at using precision agriculture, Tom and Phil presented at workshops across WA earlier this year to share their experience implementing the technology on-farm. Tom joins us on this episode to tell us more. Download the transcript for this episode Contact: Tom Longmire Beaumont grower [email protected]  More information: GroundCover art...

Plant Nutrition: the final Soil Quality ebook

October 17, 2023 22:00 - 8 minutes

The Soil Quality ebook series, developed by SoilsWest with GRDC investment, draws upon a wealth of scientific published information, knowledge from dedicated soil science practitioners, industry perspectives and first-hand experience of growers. The 10th and final book in the series, covering the topic of plant nutrition, was released in October 2023 and the entire series is available to download for free from Apple Books.  We sat down with Craig Scanlan from Western Australia’s Department of...

Precision fertiliser decisions in a tight economic climate

October 10, 2023 22:00 - 14 minutes

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 A...

Natural enemies: beneficials, insect friends with benefits

October 03, 2023 22:00 - 10 minutes

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  PE...

Impact of investment on Australia’s lentil industry

September 26, 2023 23:00 - 14 minutes

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...

Managing changing MRLs and export implications

September 19, 2023 23:00 - 16 minutes

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 ...

Data Partnerships Initiative

September 12, 2023 23:00 - 15 minutes

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...

Emerging cereal diseases in the south, with a focus on Septoria Tritici Blotch (STB)

September 05, 2023 23:00 - 16 minutes

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 th...

Seasonal diseases update for canola and pulses: Northern region

August 29, 2023 23:00 - 14 minutes

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...

Measuring and preventing harvest losses in the western region

August 22, 2023 23:00 - 10 minutes

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 Conta...

Urea supply and nitrogen decision making

August 15, 2023 23:00 - 15 minutes

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 sp...

Successfully establishing canola in Western Australia’s LRZ

August 08, 2023 23:00 - 14 minutes

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...

Improving claying efficiency on poor soils in WA

August 02, 2023 05:04 - 17 minutes

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 [email protected] Watch the Improving claying efficien...

GRDC in conversation: Terry Horan

July 30, 2023 23:00 - 39 minutes

🎙️ 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 priv...

Endosymbionts – game changing bacteria in insect species

July 25, 2023 23:00 - 14 minutes

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 beh...

GRDC in conversation: Allan Mayfield

July 23, 2023 23:00 - 48 minutes

🎙️ 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 c...

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