GRDC Podcast

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series of the GRDC Podcast. It features in depth, long-form interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry. It aims to help growers explore research outcomes and ideas through a different perspective. Barry's 45-year career has seen him combine his on-farm experience with his business acumen to help farm businesses build resilience in risky environments. His work has taken him from his family farm in Port Germein, SA, to working to support the adoption of conservation agriculture practices in north Africa and India. Interviewer Oli Le Lievre – presenter of Humans of Agriculture – weaves a story not just about the technical innovations but the expertise, history and personal background, influences and motivation of each guest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in WA, there’s been a confirmed case of glyphosate and paraquat resistance in annual ryegrass. The discovery has prompted University of Western Australia weed researcher, Dr Roberto Busi, to research alternative double knock solutions. As Roberto explains, the findings have been a quantum leap forward in understanding how these resistant ryegrass populations can be effectively controlled with paraquat and pre-emergent herbicide combinations. Contact Dr Roberto Busi [email protected] More information Frist cases of glyphosate and paraquat resistant ryegrass in WA GRDC project: UWA2007-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wheat growers in the northern grain growing region are currently experiencing one of the worst stripe rust epidemics in recent memory. To help growers tackle the challenging season, Grain Orana Alliance (GOA) have been conducting trials to provide a stripe rust early warning system for the central north region of the New South Wales cropping belt. The trials, supported by GRDC, are focused on identifying and communicating local dominant stripe rust pathogens to help growers and advisers make management decisions without the time delay of individual paddock sampling and pathotyping analysis. In this podcast, GOA CEO Maurie Street analyses how the season has played out for stripe rust so far, and shares the insights that have come out of early warning system trials in such a high-pressure year. Contact Maurue Street – Grain Orana Alliance (GOA) [email protected] More information GRDC Ground Cover - New stripe rust trials to create early warning network for northern growers Grain Orana Alliance – trial results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lupin seed integrity and establishment With split seed resulting in yield penalties higher than 70% in some areas, a new GRDC investment is looking at how growers can manage their handling of lupin seed to ensure better germination of seed in the following seasons. A benchmark study of 27 WA growers looked at germination impacts for lupins, focusing on reducing the incidence of split seed through harvest activities such as machinery impacts, and manganese deficiency. The study which started in 2019 has now wrapped up, with advice around manganese management, going easy on the augers, harvesting with at least 12% moisture and asking the experts to assess seed. But those who know lupins, know there’s still a lot to learn. Contact Katrina Venticinque, Liebe Group 08 9661 1907 [email protected] More information GRDC Investment – Demonstrating the effects of reduced lupin seed integrity on crop establishment GRDC Ground Cover – Retained lupin seed germination puzzle Liebe Group Projects – The Effect On Lupin Establishment As A Result Of Reduced Seed Integrity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GRDC has a history of working with different business accelerators to deliver grains focussed, start-up accelerator programs across Australia. Farmers2Founders is one such programme - set up to help put producers at the centre of innovation by supporting them to have more involvement in the innovation process… leading to solutions that will solve real problems for grains growers on farm. To find out more, we spoke to Skye Raward, co-founder and general manager of Farmers to Founders and Tegan Modra, participant in the National Accelerator Program. Contact: Skye Raward Co-Founder & General Manager, Farmers2Founders [email protected] More Information: www.farmers2founders.com Applications currently open for: National Pre-Accelerator Programe closes 9 October National Accelerator Programme closes 16 October TNQ Innovation Pre-Accelerator closes 9 October GRDC Project Code: FTS2006-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gravel soils account for 24 per cent of land used for crop production in southern Western Australia, and are also characteristic of major production regions in South Australia and Victoria. In this podcast, two growers share their experience managing this challenging soil type. They have distinctly different approaches but share a desire to get the most of their crops in a high rainfall environment. Murdoch University’s Dr Francesca Brailsford also shares an update on the significant GRDC investment underway to help growers better manage ironstone gravel soils from a cropping, nutrition and water perspective. The ironstone gravels soil project is part of a SoilsWest alliance initiative, which also includes The University of Western Australia, Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, Queen’s University Belfast and Bangor University. Contact Dr Francesca Brailsford Murdoch University [email protected] More information - Challenges of ironstone gravels – WA video - Challenges of ironstone gravels – SA video - GroundCover - Unlocking the hidden potential of ironstone gravel soils GRDC project code: UMU2111-001RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Grower Network is a GRDC initiative set up to directly communicate with growers and help progress locally relevant research, development and extension investments. Growers are encouraged to become involved and there are many ways to do that. To find out more about the National Grower Network, we speak to Grower Relations Manager, Vicki Green and Graham Spackman who is on the GRDC’s northern panel. Contacts: Vicki Green Grower Relations Manager [email protected] Graham Spackman GRDC Panel Member, Northern Region [email protected] More Information: About NGN GRDC Events Page Subscribe to GRDC Twitter @theGRDC Instagram @theGRDC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grain growers around Australia have a new tool, in the form of a comprehensive guide, to support informed decision making around machinery purchases. The guide, titled “Machinery investment and replacement for Australian grain growers”, is the result of a two-year GRDC initiated project to assist growers to evaluate decisions around machinery investment. The information has been gathered from contributions from more than 450 grain growers around Australia, who shared their machinery purchase and ownership experiences, resulting in 30 case studies that are featured in the guide. The guide offers a valuable snapshot of machinery ownership levels to help growers compare their position against industry averages for similar farming operations. Contact: Ben White Kondinin Group [email protected] More Information: Download a PDF of the guide here. Project Code: KIS1911-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in Australia, there is a biocontrol option to help tackle flaxleaf fleabane. A rust fungus from fleabane’s country of origin, Colombia, has been rigorously tested by a research team at the CSIRO and approved for release by the Australian regulator. This new tool will be available to help growers bolster their integrated weed management strategy. This research is part of a project called Underpinning agricultural productivity and biosecurity by weed biological control, led by AgriFutures Australia and funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program, with co-investment from CSIRO, GRDC and NSW Biocontrol Taskforce. Contact Ben Gooden CSIRO [email protected] More information Flaxleaf fleabane rust fungus video GRDC/AgriFutures media release Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much does the general public trust the grains industry? Recent community survey work, made possible through GRDC investment, has painted a clear picture – and the results are surprising. Dr Kieren Moffat and his team have been surveying a diverse cross-section of the community to examine areas of uncertainty such as chemical usage and GMO cropping. It’s all part of a the larger Community Trust in Rural Industries project being driven by a number of Rural Research and Development Corporations and industry organisations. Contact Dr Kieren Moffat Voconiq [email protected] More information - Growing community trust video - Groundcover article - Program finds high levels of trust in growers GRDC project code RDC1906-004OPX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weeds are one of the largest costs to Australian growers - affecting management, yields and input costs. That’s why GRDC is a platinum partner in WeedSmart - an industry led initiative designed to deliver weed control solutions. WeedSmart is the united industry voice delivering science backed weed control solutions to growers and advisors for long term productivity in Australian agriculture. To see the full list of financial, in-kind and international in-kind; and research partners visit this page. We explore the WeedSmart initiative with WeedSmart Project Manager, Jessica Strauss and Chris Davey, Agriservices agronomist from YP Ag. WeedSmart Week 2022 is happening in Mildura, Victoria from 30 August - 1 September. Contact: Jessica Strauss WeedSmart Project Manager & Communications Lead AHRI School of Agriculture and Environment (SAGE) [email protected] Chris Davey YP Ag [email protected] More Information: Subscribe to WeedSmart. Project Code: UWA2007-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australia’s canola industry continues to grow from strength to strength - despite the presence of blackleg, a common disease that has the potential to cause more than 90 per cent yield loss. This success story is thanks, in part, to decades of targeted GRDC investment into blackleg management – delivering significant genetic and agronomic advancements to help canola growers reduce the impact of this serious pathogen. Marcroft Grains Pathology Principal Dr Steve Marcroft has been at the forefront of this research for nearly 30 years and he discusses the impact that blackleg research has had. Contact: Dr Steve Marcroft Marcroft Grains Pathology [email protected] More Information: Early-sown canola may escape blackleg clutches Blackleg Management Guide Marcroft Grains Pathology Project Codes: UOM1904-004RTX, UOM1905-003RTX, UWA1905-006RTX, CSP1904-007RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the greatest barriers to improving farm productivity in Australia is water. Over the past ten years, GRDC investment in water use efficiency (WUE) research has resulted in significant yield gains and underpinned an evolution in the management of summer fallows and farming sequences across Australia’s southern and western cropping regions. Southern NSW agronomist Greg Condon has been involved with WUE research projects for more than 12 years, and in this podcast he delves into the research findings that are delivering real impact for growers. Contact Greg Condon Grassroots Agronomy [email protected] More information - Investing in water use efficiency yields results case study Project code CSP00111, DAS00089, CSP1707-019RTX, CSP1703-007RTX, CSP1706-015RMX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Excessive rainfall has hit northern growers over the past six months. With water logging across paddocks, growers are at heightened risk of losing nitrogen from denitrification, and it’s an issue GRDC is keen to understand better. Recent research supported by GRDC and led by Senior Research scientist at the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Dr Graeme Schwenke, found that on average, paddocks with waterlogging could lose 28 per cent of nitrogen from denitrification. To get the complete picture of nitrogen cycling and the conditions under which growers can lose nitrogen from the soil, GRDC has launched a new project to investigate how to better predict nitrogen cycling and losses in Australian cropping systems with a focus on augmenting measurements to enhance modelling. In this podcast Dr Schwenke discusses the state of play on the ground right now, and the value of further research into nitrogen cycling. Contact: Graeme Schwenke NSW DPI [email protected] More information: GRDC Update Paper: Nitrogen volatilisation: Factors affecting how much N is lost and how much is left over time Project code: UOQ2204-010RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long coleoptile wheat is getting a lot of grower interest and some new research been delivering some exciting results. This genetic approach is focused on wheat lines that produce a long first shoot, or a coleoptile, allowing for deeper sowing into soil with residual moisture. After successful paddock-scale trials, the research is helping growers mitigate the risk of poor or failed establishment because of unpredictable summer rain and sowing breaks. Led by CSIRO plant geneticist, Dr. Greg Rebetzke, we talk about the research that's got growers and the GRDC excited about the future potential of the long coleoptile wheats. Contact Dr Greg Rebetzke CSIRO Agriculture and Food 02 6246 5153 [email protected] More information - Are long coleoptile wheats an early sowing game-changer? - GRDC Grains Research Update Online, Southern Region 2022 - Day 1, Agronomy & management for a shifting climate (Adelaide & Bendigo) - On-farm assessment of new long-coleoptile wheat genetics for improving grain yield with deep sowing - Early learnings from multi-site, multi-system assessment of new long-coleoptile genetics for deep sowing of wheat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to maximising the productivity of irrigated crops, research is proving it isn’t as simple as adding water and lots of nitrogen fertiliser. The Optimising Irrigated Grains project team have two seasons of impressive agronomy data under their belt –helped along by back-to-back mild spring conditions which has seen them achieve some pretty exceptional yields Contact Nick Poole Managing Director FAR Australia [email protected] More information - Optimising irrigated grains video - Grower insights on grazing crops under irrigation podcast - ICC website - Optimising irrigated grains podcast GRDC code: FAR1906-003RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 90-day summer chickpea crop could soon be a reality for the north, giving growers a pulse option to plant in February and harvest in June. Researchers involved in the summer chickpea project, made possible through GRDC investment, have spent the summer assessing the performance of 20 chickpea lines across five different locations. As project lead Dr Angela Pattison from the University of Sydney explains, the trial results and yield potential of the system are showing real promise. Contact Dr Angela Pattison The University of Sydney [email protected] More information - Summer chickpea video - GroundCover story - Turning necessity into opportunity with summer chickpeas - GroundCover story - International resources tapped for heat-tolerant chickpea germplasm for Australian breeding programs GRDC code: UOS2112-003RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to optimise mungbean yields in Australia’s northern growing region? It's the focus of a significant GRDC investment underway with Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. In this podcast, project participant Paul McIntosh from Pulse Australia shares the latest agronomy research findings on maximising productivity in mungbean systems. Contact Paul McIntosh Pulse Australia industry development manager [email protected] More information · Mungbean agronomy video · Mungbean yield gap and agronomy webinar - Marisa Collins · Exploring interactions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), rhizobia and root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei) in mungbeans, Update Paper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fusarium wilt is significant mungbean disease that can result in up to 80 per cent yield loss. In an effort to arm growers with information about this costly disease, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) in Queensland has set up a variety of tolerance trials across the state as part of a wider GRDC and DAF co-investment on optimising mungbean yield in the northern region. In this podcast, DAF Extension Officer, Jayne Gentry, shares the latest research findings and her recommendations for managing fusarium wilt. Contact Jayne Gentry Principal Development Extension Officer, Crop and Food Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries [email protected] More information Mungbean disease webinar Project code: DAQ1806-003RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Oat Breeding Program, backed by joint $5.4 million investment from AgriFutures Australia and GRDC, is being propelled into a new era under the leadership of commercial breeding company, InterGrain. In this podcast, Intergrain’s Dr Allan Rattey shares all the details of the new program and how it will increase the genetic gain per dollar invested. The program is strengthened by significant collaboration with oat pre-breeding investments across Australia. This national research network provides valuable support to the success of the breeding programs and industry. Contact: Dr Allan Rattey Intergrain [email protected] More information February 2022 GRDC update presentation GRDC code IGP2103-001AWX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most irrigated crop research involves wheat or cotton - but the Optimising Irrigated Grains project is different. It’s focused on the agronomic and amelioration levers for maize, chickpeas, faba beans, canola, barley and durum. The three-year irrigation project has delivered some impressive results so far. Contact Ben Morris FAR Australia [email protected] More information · Optimising irrigated grains video · Optimising irrigated grains research report · WaterCan Profit calculator · WaterCan Profit calculator demo video. GRDC project code: FAR1906-003RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vetch got a bad rap back in the 1990s when a variety that looked like red lentils was substituted for the higher priced commodity and sold into export markets. Since then, this versatile crop has gone from strength to strength, thanks largely to the National Vetch Breeding Program. In this podcast, program leader Stuart Nagel explores the history of vetch and its adaptability in cropping and mixed farming systems. The breeding program has been trialling and releasing new varieties suited to Australian growing conditions since 1992. Contact Stuart Nagel, SARDI National Vetch Breeding Program Leader [email protected] More information: National Vetch Breeding Program video https://youtu.be/iiAo0C2jJHo GRDC code - DAS1711-015RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As many southern growers know, good growing conditions for crops also means good ground conditions for slugs. After favourable springs in both 2020 and 2021, slug populations are on the rise and sliding into regions that don’t normally see them. As Dr Michael Nash explains, it’s about being proactive, understanding the risk factors and making informed management choices for the different species. Contact Dr Michael Nash [email protected] Ruth Peek [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dual-purpose crops under irrigation offer an attractive graze and grain return. But what's the best set-up to maximise potential at the paddock level? In this GRDC podcast, we hear from three growers who put forward paddocks in an ambitious effort to answer just that, as part of the Optimising Irrigated Grains investment. Contact Kate Coffey Riverine Plains [email protected] More information · Optimising irrigated grains video · Optimising irrigated grains research report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weed seeds and herbicide resistant genes have the potential to move across farm boundaries and between different land uses. A collaborative project, called area wide management for cropping systems weeds, is taking a unique approach to traditional weed control by collaborating beyond fence lines with varying land users across three pilot regions - the Sunraysia, the Darling Downs and the Murrumbidgee irrigation area. In this podcast, we hear from CSIRO's Dr Rick Llewellyn, and Mallee Sustainable Farming’s Tanja Morgan, about how the project is taking shape in the Sunraysia area. This project is supported through funding from the Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment as part of its rural R&D for profit program and the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation. The project also involves 11 research and development partners: Grains Research and Development Corporation, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, AgriFutures Australia, CSIRO, University of Queensland, University of Adelaide, University of Wollongong, Mallee Sustainable Farming, Millmerran Landcare Group, Irrigation Research & Extension Committee Inc, and the Toowoomba Regional Council. Contact: Dr Jason Emms, GRDC Manager Weeds [email protected] Dr Rick Llewellyn, CSIRO [email protected] Tanja Morgan, Mallee Sustainable Farming [email protected] More information: Could collaboration be the best weapon against weeds CSIRO Area wide management for cropping systems weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across Western Australia’s grain growing regions, farmers are reporting increased mouse activity, sparking new concern about risks heading into the 2022 season. To help growers keep ahead of this issue, the CSIRO’s Steve Henry and Dr Wendy Ruscoe delivered GRDC mouse control workshops over 21 locations and 4 days across WA’s grain belt in March, speaking with 245 growers and advisers. In this podcast, Steve Henry shares key insights and recommendations from the workshops. Contact: Steve Henry Research Officer, CSIRO [email protected] Georgia Megirian Crop Protection Manager - West, GRDC [email protected] More information: Mouse management CSIRO mouse control. GRDC code: FMO2201-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The main summer grain crop in the northern grains region, sorghum is ordinarily planted between September and January. But for the past two years, scientists from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at the University of Queensland have been trailing sowing the summer crop in winter. And while the trials have taken place in cool conditions, the results have proved to be red hot. Contact: Professor Daniel Rodriguez [email protected] More information: · Video: Beating the heat – maximizing productivity with late winter sown sorghum https://youtu.be/U-q9O5vHMl8 GRDC code: UOQ1808-001RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time ever, a national survey on herbicide resistance has been conducted as part of a GRDC investment. As Dr Peter Boutsalis from the University of Adelaide explains, there's good news on the resistance status of annual ryegrass to pre-emergent herbicides. Contact Dr Peter Boutsalis The University of Adelaide [email protected] More information Annual ryegrass weed management and paraquat resistance GRDC project code UCS2008-001RTX - Determining the incidence of herbicide resistance in Australian grain cropping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2022 is likely to be a high-risk year for rust, based on the widespread distribution of rust in 2020 and 2021 and the wet summer. Dr Grant Hollaway from Agriculture Victoria and Professor Robert Park from the University of Sydney share all the details on the latest variety disease ratings and recommendations to help growers make informed stripe rust management decisions this season. Contact: Dr Grant Hollaway Agriculture Victoria [email protected] Professor Robert Park The University of Sydney [email protected] More information: · 2022 NVT disease ratings · University of Sydney cereal rust interactive map · Information on the stripe rust WM app For more details about StripeRustWM and other disease management apps, search for ‘mobile app centre’ on AGRIC. Project code: UOS1801-004RTX Australian Cereal Rust Control Program (ACRCP) - University of Sydney: Delivering genetic tools and knowledge required to breed wheat and barley with resistance to leaf rust, stripe rust and stem rust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perth Update Event 2022 – Dr. Mike Ashworth The cost of constantly evolving weed infestations in Australia is staggering. Growers spend around $2.5 billion every year on the problem, with annual ryegrass the number one ranking Australian cropping system weed. In WA, a series of trials over several years has been studying the interaction between wheat seeding timing and pre emergent herbicides choice on annual ryegrass seed production, with some helpful results on offer. In this podcast, we talk to Dr Mike Ashworth, research agronomist, who’s heading the trials with the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative at the University of WA about the trials and his top tips for reducing annual ryegrass and wild radish seed production in wheat using crop competition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grain storage is a long-term investment so it’s important to get it right from the start. Considerations need to include storage design and structural integrity, effective pressure testing and knowing how to seal silos correctly to achieve successful fumigation. Manufactures are a good source of information, but make sure they’re not your onlysource. And that’s where GRDC’sGrain Storage Extension Projectcan help. In this podcastnational extension team member Ben White takes youthrough the latest evolution in Silo features and pressure testing methods. Contact: Ben White e: [email protected] Phone 1800 WEEVIL (1800 933 845) Chris Warrick e: [email protected] Phone 1800 WEEVIL (1800 933 845) Resources: storedgrain.com.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Seed of Gold is one of the grains industry’s most prestigious awards. First presented in 2007 only four people have received this honour. The latest recipient is globally recognised research scientist Emeritus professor Stephen Powles from Western Australia who was presented with his Seed of Gold in 2021. The award is given in recognition of an individual’s outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment to communicating research outcomes to the Australian grains industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s an unusual thing to see – a mob of cattle grazing contentedly in a patch of paddock, held there by an invisible border. But virtual fencing technology is really taking offand is showing promise as a tool to help mixed farmers control weeds. On Heath Nickolls’ cattle and grain property near Pinnaroo in the South Australian mallee, the CSIRO’s Dr Rick Llewellyn is leading a GRDC and Australian Wool Innovation investment trialling virtual fencing to gain better crop integrated weed management. As Rick and Heath explain, a strip grazing trial of 40 Angus heifersis delivering promising results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Poole from FAR Australia provides an excellent explanation of how to target fungicide applications for the best economic return. He describes the value of focusing on critical growth stages and their ‘money leaves’, the best way to manage disease risk in crops before tillering, and the importance of protecting fungicide effectiveness for the long term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been common practise across the southern grain growing region to wait for opening rains, before applying a knockdown herbicide, then seeding the crop. But new research is revealing weedsare better controlled by adopting a three-pronged approach of sowing early, at a high density crop seeding rate while also applying an efficient herbicide. As the University of Adelaide’s Dr Gurjeet Gill and Ben Fleet explain, the mid-trial results come from a five-year GRDC investment looking into weed management across a range of rainfall zones in SA, Vic and WA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While farmers typically spray fungicide to manage one disease, applications should be considered in a broader context. Dr Steven Simpfendorfer describes how spraying one pathogen can inadvertently encourage resistance in other pathogens that may be present. He outlines some typical examples, including rusts and powdery mildew in wheat; blackleg and sclerotinia in canola; as well as net blotches and powdery mildew in barley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The start of 2021 has seen widespread waterlogging in the Great Southern and Esperance regions. Sub-surface drainage, one of many water management options, is not widely adopted, for reasons that will be better understood during this project, with surveys used to understand current grower practice and opinions. Sub-surface drainage, one of many water management options, is not widely adopted, for reasons that will be better understood during this project, with surveys used to understand current grower practice and opinions. In total, the GRDC invests about $2 million nationally in projects addressing waterlogging, with work ranging from the new sub-surface drainage projects through to genetic research. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The seedbank is the link between the current weed populations and future infestations. While the seedbank life is well understood for major weed species such as annual ryegrass, new research has filled the knowledge gap on the seedbank life of emerging weed species. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Western Australia’s South West agricultural zone there are 3 million hectares of lateritic gravels or ironstone gravel soils. These are sandy soils that have a cemented laterite surface or caprock. Many growers are using contractors with specialised machinery that rips and pulverises this top-layer, making sowing easier and improving the likelihood of good crop establishment. What is also needed for developing crops is good nutrition and Lateritic soils bind-up phosphorus, an essential nutrient for young plants.With GRDC investment,on-farm trial are underway to test for nutrient levels in these soils and development nutrient packages for crop management. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Western Australian Ag Research Company TrialCo signed on with GRDC to run a trial on non-wetting sandy soils in low rainfall country the last thing anyone expected was a wet start to the growing season. In this podcast TrialCo field operations manager and TrialCo’s executive officer outline the reasons for the trial and the methodology applied to evaluate the use of surfactants in sandy non-wetting soils. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Innovative lab technology has helped uncover new information on the water and nutrient use efficiency of ironstone gravel soils. It's a first for the grains industry and a big step forward in managing this often-underperforming soil type. As Murdoch University’s Dr Fran Brailsford explains, the process of discovery involved analysing more than 400 gravel samples from across Australia’s growing regions. Made possible through GRDC investment, the research aims to increase the knowledge and profitability of cropping on ironstone gravel soils. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Generous rain and high prices have increased the economic risk from Sclerotinia and blackleg of canola this season. Dr Steve Marcroft outlines the very real risk of fungicide resistance developing in blackleg of canola in Australia – and how growers can achieve sustainable disease control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ‘Fungicide Resistance Five’ is the basis for an integrated disease management strategy that growers can use on-farm to reduce fungicide resistance pressure on crop pathogens. This six-part podcast series, produced through the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN), unpacks the individual elements of the strategy to inform growers why and how they should minimise the risk of fungicide resistance developing in their paddocks. AFREN is a significant GRDC investment that brings together a national network of regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts and communications and extension specialists. It is co-ordinated through the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM), a co-investment between the GRDC and Curtin University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ‘Fungicide Resistance Five’ is the basis for an integrated disease management strategy that growers can use on-farm to reduce fungicide resistance pressure on crop pathogens. This six-part podcast series, produced through the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN), unpacks the individual elements of the strategy to inform growers why and how they should minimise the risk of fungicide resistance developing in their paddocks. AFREN is a significant GRDC investment that brings together a national network of regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts and communications and extension specialists. It is co-ordinated through the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM), a co-investment between the GRDC and Curtin University. South Australian plant pathologist Dr Tara Garrard covers the range of agronomic practices growers have at their disposal to reduce disease pressure, limit fungicide applications and lower the risk of promoting fungicide resistance in their crops. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ‘Fungicide Resistance Five’ is the basis for an integrated disease management strategy that growers can use on-farm to reduce fungicide resistance pressure on crop pathogens. This six-part podcast series, produced through the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN), unpacks the individual elements of the strategy to inform growers why and how they should minimise the risk of fungicide resistance developing in their paddocks. AFREN is a significant GRDC investment that brings together a national network of regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts and communications and extension specialists. It is co-ordinated through the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM), a co-investment between the GRDC and Curtin University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ‘Fungicide Resistance Five’ is the basis for an integrated disease management strategy that growers can use on-farm to reduce fungicide resistance pressure on crop pathogens. This six-part podcast series, produced through the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN), unpacks the individual elements of the strategy to inform growers why and how they should minimise the risk of fungicide resistance developing in their paddocks. AFREN is a significant GRDC investment that brings together a national network of regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts and communications and extension specialists. It is co-ordinated through the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM), a co-investment between the GRDC and Curtin University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ‘Fungicide Resistance Five’ is the basis for an integrated disease management strategy that growers can use on-farm to reduce fungicide resistance pressure on crop pathogens. This six-part podcast series, produced through the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN), unpacks the individual elements of the strategy to inform growers why and how they should minimise the risk of fungicide resistance developing in their paddocks. AFREN is a significant GRDC investment that brings together a national network of regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts and communications and extension specialists. It is co-ordinated through the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM), a co-investment between the GRDC and Curtin University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ‘Fungicide Resistance Five’ is the basis for an integrated disease management strategy that growers can use on-farm to reduce fungicide resistance pressure on crop pathogens. This six-part podcast series, produced through the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN), unpacks the individual elements of the strategy to inform growers why and how they should minimise the risk of fungicide resistance developing in their paddocks. AFREN is a significant GRDC investment that brings together a national network of regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts and communications and extension specialists. It is co-ordinated through the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM), a co-investment between the GRDC and Curtin University. Using fungicide mixtures and rotating between Mode of Action groups is vital to eliminate resistant pathogen strains. Fungicide resistance specialist Dr Fran Lopez Ruiz from the Centre for Crop Disease Management at Curtin University highlights the importance of a dynamic spray program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growers in the north could consider fungicide resistance less of a threat than growers in the south and west, however there is no room for complacency. As Professor Levente Kiss from the University of Southern Queensland’s Centre for Crop Health points out in this podcast, as long as there are fungal crop diseases there is a risk of fungal resistance. Barley, wheat and pulses can all be affected. Northern growers need to appreciate the importance of rotating and mixing fungicides, including as seed treatments, in order not to encourage fungicide resistance in important diseases such as barley net blotches, mung bean powdery mildew, wheat powdery mildew and septoria tritici blotch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Australian grain growers have been alerted to several cases of fungicide resistance in recent growing seasons, including in net form net blotch of barley, and wheat powdery mildew. In this podcast, Dr Hugh Wallwork, from the South Australian Research and Development Institute, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions’ research division, talks about the factors that contribute to fungicide resistance and how fungicide management needs to begin with variety and seed treatment selection before sowing. He explains that growers should be using all available agronomic practices to reduce disease pressure and should avoid repeat applications of a single fungicide active or chemical Mode of Action. This will help protect the effectiveness and availability of their essential fungicide controls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices