GRDC Podcast

The complexity of agriculture would lead some people to label farming as a form of art. Working with the climate, the landscape, the machinery, the crops, the business … the list goes on. Somehow synthesising all the elements that go into making a modern farm and coming out the other end with a profitable enterprise. And doing it year after year. It’s no wonder farmers need to be resilient. In Part 2 we look at what it means to be a resilient farmer out in the paddock. The depth of planning that’s required along with the capacity to think and act long term, while being flexible enough to react to the “now”. Contact: Chris Minehan 0427 213 660 [email protected] Links: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/6262851/plan-to-boost-business-resilience/ https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/06/building-a-resilient-business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The complexity of agriculture would lead some people to label farming as a form of art. Working with the climate, the landscape, the machinery, the crops, the business … the list goes on. Somehow synthesising all the elements that go into making a modern farm and coming out the other end with a profitable enterprise. And doing it year after year. It’s no wonder farmers need to be resilient. In the first of two parts agricultural consultant, Chris Minehan, talks about having a resilient business – what that means and how to achieve it. Contact: Chris Minehan 0427 213 660 [email protected] LInks: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/6262851/plan-to-boost-business-resilience/ https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/06/building-a-resilient-business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A key research question that has an appreciable bearing on our future management of this pest relates to the way in which resistance has evolved in the Redlegged Earth Mite. Has resistance in RLEM evolved time and time again at a local scale, or has one mutation spread widely to confer resistance to mites in other regions? In this podcast Professor Ary Hoffman from the University of Melbourne reveals DNA technology has enabled researchers to make great advances in understanding the Redlegged Earth Mite and how resistance to pesticides has evolved. Contact: Nick Bell | Research manager to Prof Ary Hoffmann Pest & Environmental Adaptation Research Group T: +61 3 9035 6780 M: 0466 945 922 E: [email protected] Resources: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&ved=2ahUKEwi58ZmL8IvmAhWEbisKHfXUBnEQFjAHegQIBRAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgrdc.com.au%2Farchive%2Fkey-issues%2Fprevent-redlegged-earth-mite-resistance&usg=AOvVaw2Xu5KY8zZ98PUGZ-d7O1Q1 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiMl9fQ8IvmAhVOSX0KHU0RAMIQFjAFegQIChAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgrdc.com.au%2Fresources-and-publications%2Fall-publications%2Ffactsheets%2F2018%2F06%2Fresistance-management-strategy-for-the-redlegged-earth-mite-in-australian-grains-and-pastures&usg=AOvVaw1Mh37wc7Pnxlr2GXH7lqMM Redlegged earth mite – PestNote: http://www.cesaraustralia.com/sustainable-agriculture/pestnotes/insect/redlegged-earth-mite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trials undertaken on the Riverine Plains testing early sowing times for both spring and winter wheat varieties have produced some interesting results, particularly around moisture requirements at sowing. At the other end of the season, it’s all about avoiding the frost window during flowering and also spreading out flowering dates. On this podcast FAR Australia researcher Michael Straight talks about the trials which compared the performance of common winter and spring varieties grown on the Riverine Plains. Contact: Michael Straight [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a meeting of the Esperance Port Zone, Regional Cropping Solutions Network, mid way through 2019 a decision was made to help grain growers better understand weather forecasts and rain deciles. What was wanted was advice on how to interpret this vital information so better on-farm crop management decisions could be made. For this GRDC podcast Debra Bishop went to the Bureau of Meteorology head office in Western Australia and spoke with the Bureau’s Media and Communications Manager Neil Bennett. Contact: Neil Bennett Media and Communications Manager Bureau of Meteorology National Forecast Services | Community Outreach Group Western Australia Regional Office PO Box 1370 West Perth WA 6872 Level 3, 1 Ord St, West Perth, Western Australia Tel: +61 8 9263 2279 | [email protected] www.bom.gov.au Further Information: http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oats has a wonderful reputation amongst consumers, especially those in Asia, as a very healthy product. So it makes sense to find more ways to present oats to those consumers. And that is exactly what the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre is doing developing new products such as oat-based rice and oat-based noodles. On this podcast we speak to one of the very enthusiastic people behind this research that is adding extra value to the humble oat. Contact: Mark Tucek 08 6168 9900 https://www.aegic.org.au/eating-healthy-oats-in-new-ways/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GRDC’s Pulsecheck program aims to introduce growers who are new to growing pulses to all the challenges and rewards to be had by diversifying into these increasingly popular grains. So, what’s Pulsecheck all about? This podcast we hope will convince you to check your pulses. Contact: Jason Brand 0409 357 076 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Field Peas can be problematic for WA growers to grow, but a simple management practice could change that. Dr Sarita Bennet from the Centre for Crop and Disease Management in WA has trialled using cereal stubble as a form of trellis for the field pea plants to climb. While broadacre trials are needed, Dr Bennett says the early results are positive. Contact: Sarita Bennet 08 9266 2740 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just how quickly, as farmers, we can change the nature of weeds is perfectly spotlighted by how quickly barley grass and brome grass have reacted to our attempts to control them in cropping paddocks. On this podcast Associate Professor Gurjeet Gill explains how these grasses have learned to adapt to control methods and are now lasting longer in the seedbank than they were just 20 years ago. Contact: Associate Professor Gurjeet Gill 08 8313 7744 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development senior researcher Mark Seymour and Esperance Port Zone grain grower Ron Longbottom feature in this podcast about Lentils. In WA growers have been cautious about including this pulse in their cropping program because of variable yields and harvesting challenges. However new lentil varieties and modern harvester fronts have made the lentil a more viable option in cropping systems. Mark Seymour Senior Research Officer Grain Crop Agronomy Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia + 61 (0)8 9083 1143 | f: + 61 (0)8 9083 11002 | m: + 61 (0)428 925 002 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barley grass in the southern cropping region is becoming more prominent as a problem weed for croppers – as herbicide resistance emerges and as the plant evolves develops new behaviours. A region wide series of trials is taking place, including work being carried out at Birchip in western Victoria by the Birchip Cropping Group, with the overall project being overseen by weed and cropping specialist, Associate Professor Gurjeet Gill from the University of Adelaide. Contact Claire Browne 03 5492 2787 Professor Gurjeet Gill 08 8313 7744 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And you thought you were responsible for that amazing wheat crop. Think again. There are people in back offices all over Australia who know the seed you sow, infinitely better that you could hope. These are the people of SAGI – Statistics for the Australian Grains Industry. The name does not even hint what SAGI does. Take a listen and find out about the best friends you will ever have in the grains industry. Contact: Dr Julian Taylor 08 8313 2077 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you take soil samples from your paddocks? A leading soil scientist maintains that many farmers are leaving a lot of valuable information buried in the paddock, which could be easily accessed with a slightly different approach to sampling. On this podcast, Jason Codon invites you to look at soil sampling with soil variability in mind. Contact: Jason Codon 02 6933 2278 [email protected] Link https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/effective-soil-sampling-high-and-low-cost-options-to-gain-soil-fertility-information-for-management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They may be tiny but the damage they can potentially do is far from small. Root Lesion Nematodes are well known as a problem, but there is still much to learn about them and their impact on crops. A new investment by GRDC aims to fill in some knowledge gaps in parts of WA and develop further options for growers seeking to better control the nematodes if they are proving a problem in individual paddocks. Contact: Blake O’Meagher 0499 166 160 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trials in Western Australia are showing how well canola can out compete ryegrass if some simple management changes are made. At a trial site in Kojunup, that was blanketed in ryegrass plants, adjusting seeding rates, seed size and row spacing had a dramatic impact on ryegrass plant numbers. Contact: Mike Ashworth 08 6488 7872 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growers with acid soils know full well the risks involved in growing pulses. While new acid tolerant rhizobia are on the way, this podcast focusses on giving you an insider’s view on getting the best performance from your pulses growing in acidic soil. Contact: Ross Ballard 08 8303 9388 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crop competition is one of the key pathways to controlling unwanted weeds in your paddocks. On this podcast we look at one trial in Western Australia that is testing crop competition against prolific ryegrass populations, proving that out-competing weeds really works. The trial is also looking at the pre-emergent herbicide degradation, particularly in dry times. AHRI’s Mike Ashworth provides some food for thought. Contact: Mike Ashworth 08 6488 7872 [email protected] More Information: https://bit.ly/2QtqP1j Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A leading soil scientist has argued for a more strategic approach to nitrogen application. One way of doing that is by increasing soil carbon levels. But the CSIRO’s Jeff Baldock goes one step further and argues that putting a value on soil organic carbon would encourage farmers to grow more legumes. Contact: Jeff Baldock 08 8303 8537 [email protected] More Information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/nitrogen-and-soil-organic-matter-decline-what-is-needed-to-fix-it Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How economically viable is incorporating organic matters into your sub-soil? That’s what new research funded by GRDC is trying to ascertain. While it’s been long understood that some sub-soils constrain root growth, just how that could be feasibly addressed has been sticking point. On this podcast Dr Roger Armstrong from Agriculture Victoria discusses ways sub-soil constraints may be overcome. Contact: Roger Armstrong 0417 500 449 [email protected] Other Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/groundcover-july-august-2018/machine-streamlines-subsoil-amelioration-research https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/5889038/shedding-light-on-subsoil/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Gillett from the WA’s eastern wheat belt has been making use of carbonate rich soils from his own farm to correct the pH of his farm’s acidic soils, rather than truck-in coastal. An option that saves freight costs, which can then be put towards spreading more of his farm sourced lime over more hectares to improve his soils and crop yields. GRDC project code: LIE1803-002SAX Further Information: Greg Shea, DPIRD 0427 449 398 [email protected] Useful Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2019/locating-and-assessing-on-farm-lime-sources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The speed at which weeds develop resistance to herbicides makes farmer vigilance if paramount importance. On this podcast, weed scientist, Dr Chris Preston reveals the current resistance status of both grass and broadleaf weeds. Contact: Dr Chris Preston [email protected] Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/03/the-war-on-weeds-latest-tips https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/sustaining-our-herbicide-options-into-the-future2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Australian Grains Genebank at Horsham is a critical stop along the long development pathway to deliver new varieties that will increase the profitability of Australian grain growers. On this podcast we go deep inside the facility to see how it works and to learn more about the role of the Australian Grains Genebank plays in your industry. It’s a fascinating story. Contact: Sally Norton 03 4344 3124 [email protected] Resources: http://www.seedpartnership.org.au/associates/agg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entomologists, with the help of growers and grower groups, are looking at whether chaff lines and other harvest weed seed control are having an impact on invertebrate populations in a paddock. Survey work is underway to find out if insect behaviour and movement are affected by extra chaff left in the paddock after harvest. On this podcast, DPIRD entomologist, Svetlana Micic takes us into the paddock to explain what she thinks may be happening. Contact: Svetlana Micic 08 9892 8591 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trials are underway in Western Australia to measure the suitability of Flax (or Linseed) as a viable and profitable break crop in systems that have few other alternatives, at the moment. Flax has been grown in WA’s sandy soils in the past but was dropped for the system when a market disappeared. On this podcast Bronwyn Copestake from Southern Dirt talks about the trials and also potential markets for this new crop that could deliver a lot more diversity for WA farmers. Contact: Bronwyn Copestake 0457 399 677 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DPIRD researchers, led by Dr Craig Scanlan, have been investigating nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) crop use efficiency, soil storage and yield responses. The current body of evidence used to support N, P, and K decisions is inadequate across a range of situations and this uncertainty has led to some lack of grower confidence in fertiliser recommendations. These decision gaps exist in N, P and K fertiliser management because of climate and systems changes that have occurred after most crop nutrition knowledge was first documented in WA. GRDC project codes: DAW1801-001TRX & UWA1801-002RTX Further information: Dr Craig Scanlan 0427 160 376 email: [email protected] https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/5975994/improved-potassium-access-bolsters-grain-yields/ https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/6293818/nutrient-research-guides-fertiliser-decisions/ https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-land-water/soils/managing-soils Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shrinking the difference between your possible crop yield and your actual crop yield is one way of increasing your profitability. On this podcast the “secret” to reducing your yield gap is exposed and it turns out that for most growers there’s plenty of gains to be made. Contact: Harm Van Rees [email protected] Further resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/national-paddock-survey-closing-the-yield-gap-and-informing-decisions4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sandy soils, typical to parts of Western Australia and found in South Australia’s and Victoria’s mallee country, create considerable and costly grain constraints. In WA water repellency, resulting in low nutrient use efficiency and poor crop establishment, affects around 10 million hectares. WA’s annual price tag put on lost production through water repellence is estimated at $250 million. GRDC is investing in a multi-million-dollar soils and crop nutrition strategy aimed at managing nutrition after ameliorating these kinds of soil constraints. Water repellent soils in Western Australia are fairly common in the west midlands region, in the central wheat belt and also on the south coast. So the main problem with water repellence is it leads to uneven wetting of the soil and inefficient use of rainfall and ultimately lower grain yield. Contact: Dr Craig Scanlan 0427 160 376 [email protected] Further Information: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/5975994/improved-potassium-access-bolsters-grain-yields/ https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/6293818/nutrient-research-guides-fertiliser-decisions/ https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-land-water/soils/managing-soils Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new grain cleaning method is being trialled in WA to enable growers to further reduce the presence of snails in their harvested grain and oilseeds. It’s a snail roller, in common use in Victoria, but new to WA. On this podcast Nathan Dovey from Stirlings to the Coast Farmers talks about the advantages and some of the drawbacks that farmers will have using a snail roller. Contact: Nathan Dovey 0429 468 030 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GRDC’s nutrition decisions following a dry season project is looking at a variety of ways to fix multiple soil constraints – pH, sodicity and salinity. The second year of the five year project has thrown up some interesting results which makes researchers optimistic that they may be able to deliver a sub-soil amelioration package for growers. Contact: Ehsan Tavakkoli 02 6938 1992 [email protected] More information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/nutrition-decisions-following-a-dry-season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Esperance-based grower Gavin Egan started using clay spreading, delving and deep ripping to ameliorate soil water repellence and compaction issues seven years ago. For Gavin, the results have paid off. What was typical Western Australian flat Mallee country, producing around 2t/ha cereal crops, is now delivering double those yields. This topic was the focus of the GRDC investment Soil Constraints West project. The project is a collaboration between the GRDC and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and aims to help improve soil constraints and lift yields and grain grower returns. More info: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-land-water/soils/managing-soils Related GRDC project codes - DAW00244 Soil Water Repellence and AVP00003-A (RCSN) projects DAW00252, DAW00236 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a glance you can now determine just how much your local climate has changed over the past 60 years. The Bureau of Meteorology has published climate guides based on your Natural Resource Management (NRM) area. The guides are a part of the Federal Government’s Drought Initiative. On this podcast we speak to one of the authors of the guides and he reveals some data that may – or may not – surprise you. Contact: Joel Lisonbee [email protected] Climate Guides www.bom.gov.au/climate/climate-guides Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Western Australia’s eastern wheatbelt the sand plain soils are prone to acidification. To neutralise the acidity grain growers apply coastal lime usually sources from sites hundreds of kilometres away from their farms. However as part of a project initiated by the Kwinana East Regional Cropping Solution Network group research is being done to locate and assess on-farm lime sources as an alternative to coastal lime. Further information: Greg Shea, DPIRD Great Eastern Highway, Merredin WA 6415 m: 0427 449 398 e: [email protected] GRDC project code: LIE1803-002SAX USEFUL RESOURCES: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2019/locating-and-assessing-on-farm-lime-sources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not everyone can be in the Top 20 percent of growers. But YOU can. And the scale of your operation won’t put you into, or keep you out of, that exclusive club. On this podcast, we hear about some practical ways for you to judge and improve your financial performance. And it’s information that you already have. Contact: James Hillcoat 08 8841 4500 Twitter @JamesHillcoat Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2018/opportunity-for-profit-management-guideline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An astounding $90 million worth of canola is estimated to be lost from the back of harvesters every year in Western Australia. In this podcast Planfarm consultant and harvest loss expert, Peter Newman, talks about practical steps and resources WA canola and cereal growers can use to minimise harvest losses and maximise capacity. Peter is leading a targeted GRDC extension project on this issue, and has developed a harvest loss calculator and popular Twitter handle for sharing information and solutions. He also works directly with grain growers. Further information: Peter Newman m: 0427 984 010 ph: 08 9964 1170 email: [email protected] GRDC project code – PLN1803-001SAX Join the conversation @harvestloss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Decisions around lime applications to acid soils have suddenly become a lot easier with the availability of the iLime Calculator, a smartphone app that is easy to use and reveals the tangible benefits of applying lime over time. The app can be customised to incorporate your own inputs. On this podcast Chris Gazey, the Soil Science and Crop Nutrition Portfolio Manager with the WA Department of Primary Industries and Region Development, explains how it works and the benefits of the new iLime app. Contact: Chris Gazey 0429 107 976 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pulse growers consistently report a greater boost in cereal production following a pulse crop than they would normally get from manufactured nutrients like nitrogen. Why is that? What is so special about the nitrogen delivered to the soil by a pulse crop. Soil scientist Cassie Schefe thinks she has the answer. Contact: Cassandra Schefe 0419 238 798 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Increasing herbicide use over the last two decades has led to concerns over the potential effects herbicides (and their residues) have on soil health. This concern has led to significant, national GRDC investment over the past five years into the potential impacts of increased herbicide use on key soil biological processes. This is being achieved by benchmarking the level of herbicide residues in cropping soils and generating new knowledge about the fate, behaviour and risk of herbicides to productivity and soil biological function. In this podcast we hear the latest project from NSW Department of Primary Industries research scientist, Dr Mick Rose. Contact: Mick Rose [email protected] More information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/herbicide-residues-in-soil-what-is-the-scale-and-significance https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2018/02/impacts-of-residual-herbicides-on-soil-biological-function GRDC project code: DAN00180 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fungicide resistance is inevitable. That’s a tough message to accept, but experts say resistance is like a train travelling to a destination – nothing will stop it arriving but we can slow it down. On this podcast, fungicide specialist, Nick Poole, suggests a new timetable for the fungicide resistance train. Contact: Nick Poole [email protected] More Information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/protecting-the-longevity-of-new-fungicides Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GRDC is leading a $16 million project focused boosting the resilience of mixed farms via successful incorporation of pasture legume species currently not widely grown. In today’s podcast, Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development senior research scientist, Angelo Loi, shares his key steps to successful sowing and establishment of pasture legumes in summer/autumn. Contact: Dr Angelo Loi, DPIRD [email protected] More information: Twin sowing and summer sowing: alternative techniques to introduce annual legumes into pastures https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pasture-establishment/twin-sowing-and-summer-sowing-alternative-techniques-introduce-annual-legumes Pasture Legumes Project To Grow The Fortunes Of Mixed Farms https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/news-and-media-releases/national/2017/10/pasture-legumes-project-to-grow-the-fortunes-of-mixed-farms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big is definitely the case when it comes to spray nozzle sizes, particularly when spraying in sensitive areas during summer. On this podcast, spray expert Bill Gordon details new label requirements, including nozzle sizes, when using 2-4D chemistries. Bill also re-assures us that it’s still possible to do a good spray job with larger nozzles. Further Information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/groundcover-137-november-december-2018/changes-to-2,4-d-registrations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A leading science communicator says rather than educating the general public about farming, farmers should ensure that urban people trust farmers to have their best interests at heart. Heather Bray, from the University of Western Australia, says trust in farmers is more important than how deeply city people understand the business of farming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sandy soils account for five million hectares of Australia’s southern grain growing region. Crop water use and productivity on these sandy soils are commonly limited by a range of soil constraints that affect root growth. In this podcast we hear from CSIRO’s Senior Research Scientist Dr Lynne Macdonald who leads GRDC’s sandy soils program in the southern region. The program aims to improve the diagnosis and management of underperforming sandy soil in the Southern Region. Project code: CSP00203 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Research undertaken by the Northern Grower Alliance has cast new light on the timing and method of nitrogen application. On this podcast, NGA’s Richard Daniel outlines the latest thinking when it comes to applying nitrogen to crops. Contact: Richard Daniel 0428 657 782 [email protected] Links: https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/news-and-media-releases/north/2017/08/tips-for-developing-an-effective-nitrogen-strategy-its-all-about-the-rate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liming to maintain good soil pH levels and avoiding yield losses is just as important as applying fertiliser for maximising yields. If growers let soil pH levels in the topsoil run-down (pH in CaCl2 < 5.0) they are at risk of creating soil acidity issues at depth which are harder and more expensive to treat. In general, not enough lime has been applied frequently enough to address acidification occurring within the whole soil profile, so soil test to depth and calculate lime requirements for 0-10cm, 10-20cm and 20-30cm, not just the top 10cm of soil. Contact: Lisa Miller Southern Farming Systems 23 High St, Inverleigh, Vic 3321 0488 600 226 [email protected] Further Information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/lime-and-liming-managing-soil-health http://www.sfs.org.au/SoilAcidityLimeResponse https://agex.org.au/project/soil-acidity/ https://grdc.com.au/legumes-in-acidic-soils https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/soil-acidity/soil-acidity-frequently-asked-questions-faqs http://vlpa.asn.au/w/product-specification/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Snails may be slow to move, but they are quick to survive baits during late Spring and Summer. This surprising development has been revealed as a result of research into snail mortality on the York Peninsula. This fact and several other tips for managing snails are explained by entomologist Helen Brodie on this podcast. Contact: Helen Brodie 08 8429 0557 [email protected] Link: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/groundcover-138-january-february-2019/autumn-baiting-timely-for-snail-control Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A common pest for canola growers to monitor each Spring is the Cabbage Aphid. DPRID research officer Dusty Severtson describes where within the crop to check for the aphid and the use of monitoring tools such as the Crop Scout app to accurately calculate aphid numbers. Contact: Dusty Severtson Research Officer – Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development m: 0427 196 656 email: [email protected] Further information: https://grdc.com.au/CropAphidsBackPocketGuide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Farmers in blackleg prone areas of Australia are generally competent in managing the disease in their canola crops. That is until the recent advent of blackleg infection of the upper canopy. This new way blackleg has developed ways to attack canola crops is the focus of this podcast featuring Steve Marcroft from Marcroft Pathology. Contact: Steve Marcroft 03 5381 2294 0409 978 941 [email protected] https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/5956950/plan-to-beat-upper-canopy-blackleg-infection-in-canola/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nitrogen fertiliser is arguably a farmer’s biggest variable cost, year on year. Providing the correct amount of nitrogen to a growing crop is the key to success. But how best to deliver that nitrogen without seeing it lost to the environment before it reaches the crop? That was the key question for some recent research in western Victoria – research that is still ongoing in many parts of the southern and northern region. Contact: Ash Wallace [email protected] More Information: https://communities.grdc.com.au/crop-nutrition/mid-row-banding-promising-for-in-crop-nitrogen/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valuable frost research is equipping grain growers with practical information on how to identify frost damage in cereal crops. In this podcast WA Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development research officer, Dr Ben Biddulph, discusses what to look for, when and where, to identify frost damage. According to Dr Biddulph grain growers need to be alert, but not alarmed about frost, and know what management options are available to reduce or mitigate frost risk. Further information: Dr Ben Biddulph DPIRD Grains Directorate 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151 m: 0428 920 654 e: [email protected] GRDC project code: DAW00244; DWA00243; DWA00242; DWA00236 A range of resources to help growers identify and manage frosted crops are available on the GRDC website: Frost Identification Guide, produced by DPIRD with co-investment from GRDC, available at https://grdc.com.au/CerealFrostIDGuide Frost - Frequently Asked Questions, a DPIRD publication produced in collaboration with GRDC at https://grdc.com.au/frost-faq The GRDC YouTube frost playlist which includes segments about the emotional cost of frost and managing the effects of frost https://www.grdc.com.au/GRDC-Video-NationalFrostInitiativePlaylist GRDC Managing Frost Risk Tips and Tactics at https://grdc.com.au/ManagingFrostRisk More information on frost management can be found via the GRDC’s suite of GrowNotes™ publications available at https://grdc.com.au/grownotes Frost resources are also available on the DPIRD website at https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/frost/frost-tools-and-support and https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/frost/management-options-frosted-crop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With water such a valuable commodity nowadays, it’s little wonder that irrigators ask themselves whether they are better off selling their water or using it to grow out a crop. It’s a tough question. So GRDC last year asked the Irrigated Cropping Council to see if they could come up with some answers. Contact: Damian Jones 0409 181 099 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices