GRDC Podcast

James Walter is the bioinformatics lead at Australian Grain Technologies (AGT), working at the intersection of genetics, data science and plant breeding. His role focuses on turning vast amounts of genomic and field data into practical insights that help breeders make better decisions and ultimately deliver improved crop varieties to growers. In this episode, James takes us behind the scenes of the plant breeding pipeline, unpacking the journey from initial crosses in the glasshouse through to years of field trials, quality testing and eventual commercial release. He explains how modern breeding balances resilience and performance, why stability across seasons is critical, and how the explosion of data and new technologies is reshaping how varieties are developed. This episode explores: ● James’ pathway from agricultural science into bioinformatics and plant breeding ● What a role in genomics and data science looks like in agriculture ● How plant breeding programs work from glasshouse to commercial release ● Why it takes 8–10 years to develop a new crop variety ● The importance of stability versus peak performance in different seasons ● How genetics and field data are combined to guide breeding decisions ● The role of large-scale field trials across multiple environments ● How new technologies, AI and data are transforming plant breeding ● The sheer scale of data involved in modern breeding programs ● Career opportunities in agriculture beyond traditional farm roles Watch this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hEJmhVcDmtg More information: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/climate/global-search-helps-heat-tolerance-gains-to-be-made-in-wheat https://www.agtbreeding.com.au/ 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. GRDC Project Code: HAG2507-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode explores how to set pulse crops up for success, because they really don't forgive shortcuts with herbicides. Navneet Aggarwal, a senior research agronomist for the South Australian Research and Development Institute or SARDI, has been a part of the South Australian Grain Legume Project looking specifically at herbicide safety and weed management in pulses. He says preparation is key, but if those crucial steps are missed, what are the options? The SA Grain Legume Project: ‘Development and extension to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming systems benefits from grain legume production in South Australia’ is led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, alongside a number of project partners. Contact: Navneet Aggarwal South Australian Research and Development Institute navneet.a⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ More Information: ⁠ https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2024/07/broadleaf-weed-management-in-lentil-grown-on-different-soil-types-in-south-australia⁠⁠https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/sa-research-push-to-close-pulse-yield-gaps⁠ ⁠https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/fine-tuning-legume-agronomy-to-benefit-sa-growers⁠ ⁠https://grdc.com.au/grdc-investments/investments/investment?code=UOA2105-013RTX&_gl=1*yrqwkq*_ga*ODQxMzgxOTU0LjE3NzI1MDg1NjY.*_ga_ZTGWWXHVRC*czE3NzMxMDAzODYkbzckZzEkdDE3NzMxMDE5MjgkajI0JGwwJGgw Project Investment Code: UOA2105-013RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode focuses on sandy soils and how to unlock their potential to successfully grow pulses, which have traditionally been a challenge. GRDC's investment in the South Australian Grain Legume project has led to a targeted approach to trialling a variety of methods for sandy soil improvement. Agronomist, Jason Brand, has worked closely on this project, previously with Agriculture Victoria and Frontier Farming Systems, but more recently as a director of GEM Agronomy. The SA Grain Legume Project: ‘Development and extension to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming systems benefits from grain legume production in South Australia’ is led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, alongside a number of project partners. Contact: Jason Brand Director, Gem Agronomy [email protected] More Information: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/legume-challenges-addressed https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/resources/sandy-soils Project Investment Code: UOA2105-013RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get pulse agronomy foundations right on your farm to reduce risk and build long term profitability. This episode explores examples from the South Australian Grain Legume Project, a GRDC investment. We speak with Sarah Day, communications and extension manager with Mallee Sustainable Farming, and Wade Nickolls, whose family farms pulses at Pinnaroo in the Southern Mallee of South Australia and Victoria. Wade says while the pulse industry and agronomy has changed a lot in the last 30 years, the key drivers for success are still the same. The SA Grain Legume Project: ‘Development and extension to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming systems benefits from grain legume production in South Australia’ is led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, alongside a number of project partners. Contacts: Sarah Day Mallee Sustainable Farming Communication and Extension Manager [email protected] Wade Nickolls Grower [email protected] Project Investment Code: UOA2105-013RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of GRDC in Conversation, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Ashley Amourgis, General Manager of Southern Farming Systems, just west of Geelong. Growing up on a dairy farm near Deloraine in Tasmania, Ashley developed a deep appreciation for agriculture as a way of life. That grounding has shaped her journey into the grains industry, where she now works at the intersection of research, extension and farming systems in Victoria’s high rainfall zone. Ashley shares her pathway from university uncertainty and early rejection to nearly a decade in grains, reflecting on confidence, mentorship and stepping into leadership. The conversation explores nitrogen management in high rainfall environments, the importance of long-term Farming Systems research, the role of drainage in transforming southwest Victoria, and why every farm requires context rather than cookie cutter advice. Ashley also offers advice for young professionals entering agriculture and explains why, despite advances in AI and technology, people remain at the heart of the industry. Watch highlights from this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bMjm1-wQzMQ More information: Farming systems project to inform decision making for southern growers https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/announcements/farming-systems-project-to-inform-decision-making-for-southern-growers Southern Farming Systems projects https://sfs.org.au/farming-systems/projects 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. GRDC Project Code: HAG2507-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part two in the GRDC Grain Automate initiative series and is led by the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA). Emma Ayliffe, a grower and director with Summit Ag in New South Wales Central West, takes us through a pragmatic approach to autonomy and agronomy. She covers how farm data can be structured and interpreted to support confident, actionable decision making rather than just generating dashboards. Emma is adamant growers need to be using more structure when assessing what to prioritise on farm. And at the top of that list is data. Contact: Emma Ayliffe Grower, Lake Cargelligo NSW [email protected] More Information: Grain Automate Are you ready for Autonomy? Major initiatives - Grain Automate SPAA Webinar – Paving the way for on-farm autonomy Project Code: SPA2404-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with Darcy Warren, a leading researcher at Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia based in Geelong. Darcy’s entry into agriculture was far from traditional; growing up in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Greensborough, he discovered agricultural science almost by accident at a university open day. From those early sparks of curiosity, Darcy has built a distinguished career, starting with a joint GRDC and Agriculture Victoria graduate program and progressing to help lead a national research team. The conversation explores the rapid growth of Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia from a small team of four to a national organisation. Darcy reflects on the "career-defining" Hyper Yielding Cereals project in Tasmania, the complexities of managing disease burdens, and the shifting landscape of fungicide resistance. Beyond the technical science, Darcy discusses the "people side" of agriculture—the importance of mentorship, the challenges of a travel-heavy career, and why he encourages the next generation of "city kids" to find their place in the grains sector. Watch highlights from this episode as a video on YouTube. More information Far Australia 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. GRDC Project Code: HAG2507-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tim Neale from DataFarming explains a new precision ag tool, weedSAT. WeedSAT is a satellite-powered weed detection tool developed with investment from GRDC through the Grain Automate initiative. It uses high-resolution commercial satellite imagery to identify larger, hard-to-kill weeds across broadacre paddocks. This enables targeted spraying using existing boom spray section control systems before growers even enter the field. We also hear from Precision Ag consultant Bindi Isbister, who has been trialling the technology with Western Australian growers with good success. Contacts: Tim Neale Datafarming [email protected] Bindi Isbister Agrarian Management [email protected] More Information: Satellites deployed to pintpoint summer weeds weedSAT turning your conventional boom into a spot sprayer using ultra high resolution satellite imagery Project Investment Code: DFL2304-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, facilitators Amy Wright and Lucy Pedler talk about the rise of young grower groups across South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Supported by AIR EP and the Future Drought Fund, these peer-to-peer networks are creating safe spaces for young growers to build skills, confidence and leadership capacity. Participants prioritise topics such as soils, technology adoption, drought resilience and business management—while also valuing connection, collaboration and time off-farm with peers. Amy and Lucy highlight increased confidence among members, with some stepping into leadership roles, industry panels and research committees. With study tours planned and momentum building, these groups are not only strengthening individual businesses but fostering the next generation of resilient, connected agricultural leaders. GRDC is proud to support many of these growers to attend study tours. Contacts: Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula Inc [email protected] George Pedler Ag [email protected] More Information: GRDC Sponsorship AIR EP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been thinking of adding a legume to your rotation? In this episode, we are joined by Calingiri legume grower John Young and Glen Reithmuller who is from DPIRD in WA. John shares his experience with implementing legumes into his rotation and Glen shares the surprising efficiency of legume harvestability. Contacts: John Young WA Grower [email protected] Glen Reithmuller DPRID [email protected] More Information: Closing the economic yield gap of grain legumes in WALegume Harvesting video Project Investment Code: GGA2110-002SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we recorded this podcast, the bushfire threat in Victoria was ongoing with lives, homes, and thousands of hectares of cropping land still at risk. In this episode, we hear from Dennis Hoiberg from Lessons Learned Consulting and get some strategies for looking after your mental health in traumatic times such as a bushfire event. We also speak to South Australian grower, Andy Barr, who has firsthand experience dealing with the loss and devastation bushfires can cause. Contacts: Andy Barr Grower, South Australia [email protected] Dennis Hoiberg Lessons Learned Consulting [email protected] More Information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2023/reducing-harvest-fires https://grdc.com.au/events/past-events/2025/10/grdc-farm-business-update,-online-reducing-the-risk-of-harvest-fires https://lessonslearntconsulting.com https://www.lifeline.org.au https://www.beyondblue.org.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What the eef are EEFs? This episode dives deep into not only what EEFs are, but how they can change modern grain farming. On the face of it, they are enhanced efficiency fertilisers, but what it can mean is farmers are able to take control over fertiliser loss in their paddocks and be a lot closer to meeting global emissions targets. A four year multi-million dollar co-investment is aiming to explore how Australian grain growers can improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce on farm greenhouse gas emissions. In this podcast we speak to project lead, Dr Arjun Pandey from The University of Melbourne and also grower, Russell Zwar who has experience using EEFs. Contact: Dr Arjun Pandey The University of Melbourne [email protected] More Information: Optimising the use of enhanced fertilisers Project Investment Code: UoM2404-007RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adapting new technology on farm has always been vital to farming success. As modern Australian farming moves further into the digital age, fully automated systems are being considered and in this new Grain Automate podcast series, we'll be exploring innovative stories showing practical real-world examples of autonomy in grain farming. This episode emphasises that autonomy isn't about buying the newest robot. It's about building the right environment for automation to succeed and understanding why each change matters. Looking at the five foundational building blocks of autonomy and the structured process-first thinking required for successful implementation. Listen to Emma Leonard from AgriKnowHow, a consultancy company that specialises in helping farmers deal with change. Contact: Dr Emma Leonard AgriKnowHow [email protected] More Information: https://grainautomate.grdc.com.au https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/precision-agriculture-and-machinery/are-you-ready-for-autonomy Project Investment Code: SPA2404-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices