Rural Focus

DPIRD research scientist Asad Ullah joins us this morning to talk about the trial of a new concept multi-function tree management platform at Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute.   Paul Nenke from Milne Feeds talks plans for the new year and a record number of WA carcase competition entries.    Harry Carol from Nutrien has the latest from the very busy Mt Barker sale yards.&nbs...

Today's guests:   Freight Lines Group - Michael Harding   Regional Men's Health - Terry Melrose   Merrifield Real Estate - Jeremy Stewart See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA World Ag supply and demand report came out this week, so we called up ADM Trading grain accumulation manager Tom Mayfield for some insights and observations.    Narrogin Shire President Leigh Ballard has some fun news involving a famous board game,   And Countryman editor Cally Dupe has the top stories from this week's paper, including updates on gun laws and fire recovery....

Nutrien's Craig Walker gives us the first Muchea market report for 2026,   Bill Crabtree from 4 Farmers has some interesting Aquifer trial results,    And Farm Weekly editor Darren O'Dea talks flying vets and empty nesting.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DPIRD field veterinary officer Hayley Hardwick joins us this morning to talk about ryegrass toxicity and how it can harm your livestock.    Safe Farms WA executive officer Stephen Brown gives us an update on farm safety for 2026,   And GRDC Grower Relations Manager West Kayla Evans reminds us to register for next month's GRDC Farm Business Updates. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

To kick off the first show of the year, we chat to our show regulars -    Stew Mckenzie - Burando Hill   Leigh Ballard - Crisp Wireless    Harry Carol - Nutrien See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our last show of the year, we spoke to CBH COO Mick Daw about the record 2025 harvest,   Steve Martin MLC about staying safe over the holidays,   And Nutrien's Harry Carol about upcoming cattle sales in the new year.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Chatwin from Asphalt Recyclers Australia tells us about the benefits of recycled asphalt and also... How to correctly say asphalt.   GRDC grower relations manager for the west, Luke Dawson, jumps on to talk about GRDC's upcoming Summer Sessions in Albany, Busselton and Dongara.   And Louise O'Neill from Farm Life Fitness talks career changes, silly season mental health, and audiobo...

Concerned grower Bob Iffla jumped on the show this morning on behalf of CBH shareholders, to discuss reopening the Tier 3 closed rail lines area.    Luke Oliver, local farmer, tells us about Tambellup's community crop auction and Christmas party taking place this Friday,   And Nutrien's Craig Walker gives us his final market report for the year.    See omnystudio.com/liste...

4 Farmers' Bill Crabtree joins us to talk about his recent travels, including his trip to India to secure generic Sakura for next year.   Stephen Brown from Safe Farms WA has an update on WA's first ever agriculture WHS conference happening in February,   And southwest Liberal MP Steve Thomas MLC reminds us to stay safe over the summer period as we all migrate to his neck of the woods.&n...

Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management CEO Renata Paliskis joins us this morning to talk about their Regional Wheatbelt NRM Plan and survey, available in hard copy and online.   Leigh Ballard from Crisp Wireless looks back on their achievements, builds, NBN success and community support throughout 2025,   And Nutrien's Harry Carol has a double market report today! See omnystudio.com/liste...

Michael Harding from Freight Lines Group talks to us this morning about the amount of grain coming off our WA paddocks and how they're handling the non-stop nature of this year's harvest.   Sarah Gradie from Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) tells us about some recent grants for projects across our rural communities,   And Women in Farming's Roxanne Morrissey recaps 2025 and l...

Karen Strange from Wheatbelt and Beyond Youth Mentoring joined us this morning to talk about their program and encourage people to get involved.   Jeremy Stewart from Merrifield Real Estate gives us a little recap of the year's real estate market and some predictions for 2026,   And Rural Aid's Roger Hitchcock talks to us about some exciting changes coming next year! See omnystudio.com/l...

MTAA Interim Executive Director Peter Jones chats to us about the Federal Government's announcement to extend Right to Repair reforms to agricultural machinery.   Todd Nener from Redipods tells us about their cottage range and worker's accommodation options.    Dean Toovey from Patmore Feeds discusses producing stronger lambs,   And Nutrien's Craig Walker talks Christmas and Mu...

Bayer Technical Solutions Agronomist Matt Willis joins us this morning to chat about dealing with herbicide resistance along fencelines.    GRDC Grower Relations Manager West Kayla Evans gets us excited for the upcoming GRDC Grains Research Updates, with registrations now open.    Deputy Leader of the Nationals WA Peter Rundle checked in with some updates around sheep numbers a...

Rural West is a free, confidential financial counselling service, supporting rural businesses and primary producers. CEO Chris Wheatcroft spoke to us this morning about what it means to help our country folk get back on track.    Burando Hill's Stew Mckenzie joined us for an update on harvest and a reminder to start thinking about seeding and hay equipment for next year.    Wit...

If you've been sitting all day in the truck, tractor or harvester, Louise O'Neill from Farmlife Fitness has some easy movement and stretching you can do!   4 Farmers has a new addition to the team - alongside Cathy McKenna, we welcome soil science expert and contractor Eddie Haumann from South Africa.    And we talk succession planning tips with Terry Melrose from Regional Men's Hea...

DPIRD senior biosecurity officer Kelly Manning joins us this morning to talk about skeleton weed - a declared pest in WA and a high-priority eradication target that must be reported.    Brett Johnson from Farm Shield talks us through a hail claim and the use of discretion,    And Countryman editor Cally Dupe has a front-page story about WA's devastating fires earlier this week....

Mark Scott, Nannup grower and APC Producers Committee member chats with us about buying local cherries, apricots, nectarines and peaches over summer.   Farm Weekly editor Darren O'Dea has an update on that paraquat decision that was supposed to be made this month,   And Nutrien's Craig Walker talks movies and sale yards.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RaboResearch Australia general manager Stefan Vogel discusses how the increasing popularity of weight loss drugs could affect our local agriculture and food industry.    Dean Toovey from Patmore Feeds joins us to talk pellets and December discounts,   And we check in with Steve Martin MLC as the end of the year draws near. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crisp Wireless CEO Leigh Ballard tells us about their new Deployable Emergency Telecommunications Hub, designed for regional emergencies.  FBG's Damon Cusack reminds us that the 2026 Dancing in the Dirt event is coming up in March, And Rural Aid's Roger Hitchcock talks to us about creativity and authenticity on the farm.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's peak medical specialist training bodies are urging the federal government to establish dedicated regional specialist training centres. CPMC Chair Associate Professor Sanjay Jeganathan believes if we train doctors in the bush, they'll stay in the bush.    South West Marketing Mentor founder and RRR Network member Lily Yeang talks about the importance of helping each other...

Each year, around 1.6 million legs of ham are sold in the lead-up to Christmas. But nearly 70% of the bacon and ham on our shelves is made from imported pork. Australian Pork Limited CEO Margo Andrae chats to us about how to access local pork this Christmas.    Isabelle Rogers, GRDC National Variety Trials Manager - West, reminds us to access their trial notification service during harve...

DPIRD senior research scientist Shahajahan Miyan tells us all about the rise of industrial hemp in Australia.   Farm Weekly editor Darren O'Dea has the latest stories,   And Nutrien's Craig Walker gives us the market report and an insight into the livestock industry.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FJ Dynamics WA dealer Jeremy Della-Sale talks to us about the future of precision ag tech and affordable autosteer options.    Patmore Feeds' Dean Toovey has advice on feeding ewes ahead of joining time,   And DPIRD crop science and grain production manager Bob French tells us about the 2026 WA Crop Sowing Guide, a popular resource now available online.  See omnystudio.com/list...