MSF Farm Talk Podcast

In this powerful and practical episode, Nick Paltridge sits down with Mary O’Brien , founder of the grassroots mental health initiative Are You Bogged Mate? Mary shares her trademark no-nonsense approach to rural mental health, offering honest reflections on the pressures faced by farmers, how mental load builds quietly, and why mateship and straight talk are sometimes the best tools we've g...

What’s the best way to bring fresh energy into farming systems research? In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we introduce Simone Kluge, our first-ever MSF intern! Simone has joined the MSF team to gain hands-on experience in farming systems research and extension. We chat about what drew her to agriculture, how she’s settling in, and the exciting trial work she’s contri...

In another tough start to the cropping season, with no subsoil moisture and the drought showing no signs of breaking, 'The Agronomist' Jeff Braun took part in the Planning for the Unknown Webinar to help growers work through the complexities of seeding decisions for 2025. Jeff reflects on lessons learned from 2024 dry sowing, what worked, what didn’t, and explains why 2025 presents a differe...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge discusses water repellency in sandy soils with Professor David Henry from Murdoch University. They delve into the chemistry behind non-wetting soils, seasonal behaviors, and various solutions. They discuss topics from the 101 Soils Questions book, as well as touching on topics like the impact of crop rotations, the effectiveness of...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge talks with Rick Llewellyn from CSIRO about farm decision making and the GRDC RiskWise project. They discuss the decision making processes of farmers, from gut feel to analytical approaches, and the various challenges they face, such as machinery investment and crop sowing times. Rick highlights the importance of practical grower inp...

After a dry season In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge sits down with soil fertility specialist Sean Mason to discuss optimising fertiliser strategies after a challenging 2024 season.  They cover the critical importance of identifying nutrient-responsive soils to maximise returns on nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, the use of various data layers like NDVI and yiel...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, hosts Sean Mason and Peter Treloar discuss the performance and practical applications of Variable Rate Technology (VRT) in a challenging agricultural season. They cover topics such as zoning, testing, troubleshooting, and what NDVI maps tell us, even during drought years. This episode provides valuable insights and real-world takeaways for farmers look...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast, part of the Farming and Growth Mindset series, hosts Nick Paltridge and Dennis Hoiberg discuss practical strategies for resilience on the farm. Dennis details his 'five planks of resilience' framework, which includes spirituality, medical health, physical health, connectivity, and mental health. He emphasises that resilience isn't just about bouncing b...

In the first episode of the 2025 season of the Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge interviews Steve Burt, the Independent Chair of Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF). They discuss Steve's extensive career in agriculture, his views on sustainable farming practices, and the positive changes in Mallee farming over the years. Steve also talks about his role at MSF, the importance of farmer-led leader...

In this special two-part episode recorded for the GRDC NGN project, Tanja Morgan and Chris Saunders from Uni SA's Agricultural Machinery Research and Design Center discuss optimising soil amelioration in typical mallee soils. Initially recorded in late 2024 at a trial site in Copeville SA, they explore how different ripping configurations impact fuel efficiency and soil loosening. Six months later...

In the final episode of our harvest binge series, we delve into an inspiring adventure as we chat with Tanja about her April 2024 trek along the Kokoda track. Covering the physical challenges, resilience, and camaraderie she experienced, this discussion shares observations on similarities to Mallee farming life. Join us as we wrap up with reflections on seeking new opportunities and pursuing goals...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge speaks with Rick Rundell-Gordon, a seasoned agronomist from Swan Hill, about the challenges and lessons from the 2024 cropping season. With over 30 years of experience, Rick discusses strategies for effective planning and preparation, the importance of summer weed control, soil amelioration, and managing crop rotations. He emphasise...

Welcome to the latest episode of MSF FarmTalk Series - Farming a Growth Mindset, hosted by Tanja Morgan and supported by the SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. This episode features Dennis J. Hoiberg, an expert in emotional wellbeing and resilience, discussing the transformative power of mindset and choice. Dennis offers practical tips to help farmers develop and sustain a growth m...

In this episode of the MSF FarmTalk podcast, supported by Advantage Grain, hosts David Evans and David Long delve into the complexities of global grain markets. They discuss important factors like geopolitical shifts, weather impacts, and financial market volatility that influence grain pricing and exports. The two experts also provide insights into strategies that can help Australian growers effe...

In part two of the MSF Farm Talk podcast featuring Dr. Stephen Davies, Principal Research Scientist at DPIRD in WA, the focus is on agronomy practices following soil amelioration. The discussion covers methods for effective crop establishment, seeding techniques, and the use of longer coleoptile wheat varieties to improve productivity on freshly ameliorated soils. Dr. Davies also shares insights i...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge sits down with Dr Stephen Davies, Principal Research Scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), to discuss soil amelioration practices in Western Australia. Stephen, who has over 20 years of experience working in the Northern Greenbelt of WA, shares insights into tackling soil challenges like...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast, SARDI Climate Scientist Peter Hayman and CSIRO Research Agronomist Kenton Porker discuss the significant challenges and key decisions faced by farmers during the 2024 season. They delve into the complexities brought by extreme weather conditions, including frost events and seeding strategies, and reflect on what tactics proved effective. The conversati...

In this episode of MSF Farm Talk, host Nick Paltridge speaks with livestock consultant Geoff Duddy, Sheep Solutions Principal Consultant, about effective strategies for managing livestock during dry periods. Geoff shares his extensive experience and insights on overcoming feed shortages, implementing confinement feeding, and making crucial decisions about finishing stock or selling stores.  Listen...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast, hosts Nick Paltridge and Tanja Morgan discuss with WA farmer Wayne Pech his experiences in carbon farming, recorded during the Agronomy Conference in Albany in 2024. Wayne shares his journey of reducing emissions while maintaining farm productivity in the Great Southern region. The conversation covers the motivations behind his environmental initiative...

Join host Paige Cross and Weed Smart agronomist Chris Davey (CD) in this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast as they discuss the GRDC field day focused on optimising soil amelioration efficiency. CD explores how weeds can indicate underlying soil health issues and shares various soil amelioration techniques to mitigate weed pressure. The conversation also touches on crop competition, soil health...

In this episode of the MSF FarmTalk podcast, host Kylie Matthewson discusses the issue of acid soils affecting farms in the Mallee region with David Woodard, a soils consultant from Primary Industries and Regions in South Australia. They explore how acid soils impact productivity, the use of gypsum and lime in soil treatment, and the different results from long-term soil trials at Lameroo. David g...

In this episode of MSF Farm Talk, host Nick Paltridge speaks with John Leys, a soil management expert, about tools for monitoring paddocks and current ground cover conditions across the tri-state Mallee.  John shares insights from his career, including his work with Dust Watch, and discusses trends in dust storms, ground cover management strategies, and the challenges farmers might face heading in...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, Dr. Ali Bajwa from Latrobe University discusses the challenges and current research efforts in managing Gazania, a resilient weed affecting cropping systems in Southern Australia. Dr. Bajwa elaborates on the biology of Gazania, its rapid spread, and the ongoing field trials and herbicide screenings aimed at finding effective management strategies. Key...

In this episode of the MSF FarmTalk podcast, host Nick Paltridge is joined by Deb Scammell and Felicity Turner to discuss insights from recent sheep management webinars funded by the SA Drought Hub. With South Australia experiencing one of its driest seasons on record, the trio explores the tough decisions farmers face, such as feed management, culling, and containment strategies. They also delve...

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Tanja Morgan is joined by zoning project regulars Peter Treloar Law and Sean Mason to discuss the impact of this exceptionally dry season on harvest data collection. The episode emphasises the importance of gathering data to make informed decisions for the next season. The team also provides practical tips for ensuring equipment is ready for harve...