GRDC Podcast

Farming is a risky business. Some risks are in the lap of the gods, but some risks are well within your control – or at least until they get out of control. On this podcast, Paul Umina from cesar has a very sober message for grain growers. The risk is getting greater that farmers will lose control of their ability to control pests in their crops, unless resistance management strategies are more wi...

A new joint GRDC and Victorian Government investment is looking to identify step changes in the productivity of pulse crops in the southern region. Researchers believe productivity improvements of ten percent could be achieved over the life of the project. On this podcast, Agriculture Victoria research scientist, Garry Rosewarne describes the type and scale of the research that is being undertaken...

A two-year research trail is underway to assess several strategic/deep tillage options to help Address sandplain soil constraints such as subsoil compaction, water-repellence and acidity. In this podcast we explore this topic in more detail and the what the research is saying so far. We are joined by agVivo agronomist consultant Tim Boyes who is running the research trials at Goomalling in WA. Lea...

Meet the man who is leading the way to reducing the impact of herbicide resistance in Australia. Canadian, Hugh Beckie has a long history with herbicide resistance both as a scientist and as a farmer. Hugh has a keen interest in applied science. He wants to know that solutions to herbicide resistance will work on your farm. Contact: Hugh Beckie Hugh.beckie@uwa.edu.au Learn more about your ad choic...

Given the changing nature of market regulations, all stakeholders along the supply chain need to be aware of market requirements in relation to MRLs. Given the implications of incorrect chemical use, there is a need for greater transparency and understanding by growers and their advisors of the impact of chemical use on market access. Contact: Gerard McMullen, Chair, National Working Party on Grai...

For a long time the European Union has been known as the home of tough regulation of farm chemicals. Several chemicals in common use in Australia are now banned or soon will be in some jurisdictions – something that is likely to surprise many Australian growers. So what has been the impact of regulation on the development of new chemistries? And will technology fill the void left by those pesticid...

The role of an agronomist is unique. At one end of the scale is simply working to sell a product, while at the other end of a scale is being a trusted advisor to clients. What does it take to become a trusted advisor, what skills are needed and what commitment required? And should you be a trusted advisor to every client? Contact: Dennis Hoiberg Dennis.hoiberg@lessonslearntconsulting.com More Info...

New region specific fact sheets detailing the latest research into Crown Rot Fact Sheets are now available for farmers and their advisers. The fact sheets are the result of more than six years of research and detail the very latest information on detecting the disease and limiting losses. On this podcast Agriculture Victoria Senior Plant Pathologist, Grant Hollaway discusses the disease and some r...

Dry sowing pulse crops is the norm rather than the exception today, however, maximising nitrogen fixation is dependent on a number of factors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An important role of pulse crops is nitrogen fixation, and key to that process are nodules – what are they and why do growers need to know more about them? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rhizobia are microbes that play an important role in nitrogen fixation in pasture and pulse legumes, but acid soils can have a big impact on the success of rhizobia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rhizobium is a tiny microbe with a big dollar impact. Ensuring this beneficial soil bacteria has an optimal effect requires a number of key conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The speed at which fungicide resistance can develop leaves no room for complacency. For example there are examples where spot form of net blotch has developed resistance in just one or two seasons. On this podcast Fran Lopez Ruiz from the Centre for Crop and Disease Management gives details of research which proves that some fungal diseases can start independently of the normal disease spread mech...

Like any other industry, agriculture needs to know where it’s going so it can create a pathway to the future. That’s where deep thinkers like Professor Tim Reeves comes into play. On this podcast Tim addresses the big issue facing agriculture right now – a doubling of production with the same amount of water and land and doing it sustainably. Contact: Professor Tim Reeves t.reeves@unimelb.edu.au L...

Grazing dual purpose crops can be very profitable with high livestock prices. So doing it well quickly translates into extra dollars on the bottom line. Farm advisor, David Harbison says getting the fundamentals right takes planning and active management, with the result being significant shifts in profitability. Contact: David Harbison dragriculture@activ8.net.au Useful information: https://grdc....

Growers and advisers are urged to go beyond a visual inspection of crops to determine the exact cause of ill-thrift in a crop. Research that followed the devastating impact of beet western yellows virus in 2014 canola crops in South Australia has thrown up some anomalies causing scientists to urge more precision when it comes to diagnosing potential crop disease. Contact: Piotr Trebicki piotr.treb...

At the 2020 Grains Research Update at Goondiwindi digital soil mapping specialist Ed Jones from the University of Sydney, gave a presentation on mapping soil properties and their impact on yield. It’s what in the near future will become the way growers and their advisors calculate what management a paddock, or section of a paddock needs to increase crop yield and maximise grower profit. The techni...

Snails are one of those pests that can’t be controlled by any one tool – but a significant amount of research is happening across the country to give growers effective control options. In this podcast, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) entomologist Helen Brodie shares the latest research findings and insight on controlling snail populations. More Information: Helen Brodie...

A grain grower survey conducted across 25 farm businesses in Western Australia’s northern agricultural region found the majority considered their cereal crop yields were being adversely affected by the inefficient use of micronutrients. In this podcast, grower Dylan Hirsch, based at Latham in WA, talks us through this survey and the broader GRDC investment behind it. The investment is a two-year p...

New research has shown just how deep canola roots will travel in their search for moisture late in the season. Trials have shown that there are significant yield advantages from early sown canbola that experiences a dry finish. But there are trade offs. In this podcast CSIRO’s John Kirkegaard reveals just how low canola roots go and the benefits that can be derived from early sown canola. Contact:...

Controlled Traffic Farming is in simple terms driving your heavy vehicles on the same wheel tracks every time you’re in the paddock. In Australia’s southeastern grain growing region Controlled Traffic Farming has been widely adopted in high and medium rainfall zones but not so much in low rainfall zones. With investment from the GRDC a research project was undertaken to find out why this farming s...

The GRDC has invested in a two-year project that aims to identify the requirements for, and benefits of, micronutrient foliar application in medium-to-low rainfall areas of WA’s Northern Agricultural Region. The research project is led by Western Australian grain grower group, the Liebe Group, in partnership with Murdoch University. Murdoch University’s Professor Richard Bell talks us though the r...

Ironstone gravels are important cropping soils and a better understanding about the mineralogy and physical characteristics of these soils, especially their soil moisture holding capacity and high rates of phosphorus ‘fixation’ is urgently required. So the GRDC has invested in new research, led by the University of Western Australia, to study and understand these soils to help growers maximise cro...

Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda was detected in Australia for the first time in January 2020 and a warning was issued to grain growers to inspect crops for signs of the pest’s presence. The larval stage of the moth is similar in appearance to many caterpillars already present in agricultural and horticultural crops and can cause severe economical damage, even total crop destruction. At the 20...

A new research project in the Southern Region will take the principles of Precision Agriculture and apply them to addressing sub-soil constraints. Simply put, this innovative approach will identify the location of poorly performing soil, potentially reducing the areas within a paddock that need soil amelioration work to be done. Professor Roger Armstrong from Agriculture Victoria explains more on...