GRDC Podcast

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. 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. 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

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

In Western Australia, outbreaks of fungicide resistance have occurred in several important diseases of barley. Resistance is a significant but preventable problem that can largely be managed by taking care not to repeatedly expose a pathogen to the same product or chemical Mode of Action Group. It is important for growers to recognise that this management regime can include fungicide seed treatments and in-furrow fungicide applications, as well as foliar sprays later in the season. Fungicide rotations to manage and prevent fungicide resistance need to take all of these applications into account. Geoff Thomas, plant pathologist from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, discusses the importance of using an integrated disease management program to reduce disease pressure and manage fungicide use and resistance in WA cropping systems. 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

Some ground breaking research has resulted in a breakthrough for growers and agronomists wanting to measure the potential impact of disease on yield. A national network of trials over five years will result in a new ability to quickly and accurately assess potential disease impact on some of the more popular cereal varieties. On this podcast we look at the results of that research and also how it all came about and salute the hard work of the many agronomists, scientists and biometricians involved. Useful resources: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/grains/prototype-yield-loss-disease-model-online-tool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Farmers across the Western Region are using a variety of stubble strategies to protect soil moisture over summer and to protect those soils from harsh winds. Noel Keding has taken stubble strategies to the next level using a stripper front on his cereals. Noel has some experience using stripper fronts in both low and higher rainfall environments, so his experience may help other growers who are wondering whether stripper fronts might be an option. On this podcast Noel talks about the advantages of using stripper fronts in his experience including significantly greater harvest efficiency but also some of the challenges such as getting the crop germinated and out of the ground because of the extra shading from the straw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Losing just one millimetre of topsoil in a wind erosion event can result in significant changes to soil fertility and cause yield losses in subsequent crops of up to six per cent. But there are some measures growers can take to protect their topsoil and reduce the impact of severe wind. In this podcast, Cropfacts consultant Harm van Rees, Agronomy Solutions director Sean Mason and South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions consultant Mary-Anne Young join in a discussion on dealing with the effects of wind erosion via ongoing soil management or tactics when multiple dry seasons have ruled out other options. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GRDC has for the first time committed to a multi-million-dollar global investment into dedicated research programs to address crop production constraints and the opportunities machine learning can provide, with the aim of driving profitability gains for Australian grain growers. Nine “use-cases” will form the core of the investment which will involve national and international research partners. Contact: Tom Giles Senior Manager, Enabling Technologies Grains Research and Development Corporation T: 08 8198 8400 W: www.grdc.com.au E: [email protected] Useful resources: GroundCover Supplement: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/industry-insights/machine-learning-set-to-offer-new-solutions-to-grains-industrys-challenges Update Paper 2021: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2021/02/examples-of-using-machine-learning-for-mapping-soil-constraints-and-soil-moisture-to-support-improved-decision-making Update Paper 2020: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/lasers,-machine-learning,-weed-recognition-and-new-innovations-in-weed-management Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online Farm Trials (OFT) is a website that contains a wealth of cropping data from the nation’s leading research organisations, and it’s proving to be an invaluable resource for both growers and researchers alike. This podcast shares how growers can use the platform to make informed management decisions, and how research organisations can benefit from getting involved and contributing trial information. This podcast features Federation University OFT project lead Nathan Robinson, GRDC emerging technologies officer John Rivers and Denielle Smith from Northern Growers Alliance. The OFT platform is a GRDC and Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation collaboration. It hosts a range of past and present research trials undertaken and contributed by a range of grower and farming systems groups, government researchers, universities and private industry throughout Australia. Contact: John Rivers [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Changing rainfall patterns in the drier parts of the western region have prompted a rethink of strategies for grower Clint Della Bosca. On this podcast focusing on stubble management in Western Australia, Clint talks about the vital importance of stubble in his system as weather patterns unfamiliar to his area begin to emerge. Clint is undertaking a soil amelioration program while adjusting to less rainfall overall and during the growing season which makes conserving moisture and protecting topsoil from wind erosion top priorities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plant Available Water, is key to determining potential crop yield. It’s also the basis for sowing decisions and fertiliser applications. Many things affect how much stored soil water is available, rainfall before and during the growing season, infiltration, evaporation and transpiration. And then there’s Plant Available Water Capacity, which is the total amount of water a soil can store and release to a crop which differs depending on the crop. Contact: Brett Cocks, CSIRO Agriculture and Food 07 4571 3280 / 0427 583 7564 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As many Western and Southern region grain growers start preparations for sowing this year’s winter crops, there are still a few areas in the eastern states northern region where late sown summer crops such as sorghum are still standing. In this podcast you’ll hear from a leading authority on Mouse behaviour and management, about the challenges facing growers yet to harvest and those needing to plan a mouse baiting strategy pre-sowing. Contact: Steve Henry e: [email protected] Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/resources/mouse-control Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foliar diseases are a major constraint to profitable barley production across Australia, affecting both yield and quality. In this podcast, senior plant pathologist Dr. Lisle Snyman from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland discusses the presence and spread of barley foliar pathogens across Australia's growing regions. Dr Snyman was part of the barley foliar pathogen project. The four-year GRDC investment successfully characterised major barley pathogens in Australia and identified effective resistance genes from around the world. Part two of this podcast focuses on a new three-year research initiative that is leveraging the findings from this completed research, by progressing the most promising NFNB, SFNB and scald resistance genes for use in Australian breeding programs. Contact: Lisle Snyman, DAF [email protected] More information: Barley foliar pathogens – the global search for resistance video https://youtu.be/J06bS6sgqCQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New research is harnessing advanced computer capabilities and artificial intelligence to fast-track the development of new barley varieties with improved foliar pathogen resistance – shaving years off conventional breeding program processes. Dr Kai Voss-Fels is the project lead and senior research fellow with the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, based at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. The program is off to a strong start, thanks to the findings from the four-year barley foliar pathogen project. Part one of this podcast explores these findings in more detail, with focus on pathogen presence and spread across Australia’s growing regions. Contact: Kai Voss-Fels, UQ [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growers are set to get better variety recommendations faster through a new GRDC investment, INVITA, which is adding value to the National Variety Trial (NVT) program. The investment is led by Prof Scott Chapman from the University of Queensland (UQ) which is working in collaboration with Australian partner, CSIRO. The investment, INVITA, leverages off a major EU investment INVITE (Innovations in plant Variety Testing in Europe), a consortium led by INRA in France (INRA being the French equivalent of CSIRO). The main INVITE collaborator with INVITA is Prof Fred van Eeuwijk, a statistician from Wageningen University and Research (WUR), the world's number one agricultural university. Contact: Prof Scott Chapman, University of Queensland [email protected] Useful resources: https://youtu.be/2hOQPRb-z1A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Until now, only limited information has been available about in-paddock summer weed distribution and abundance in Western Australia. However, a two-year survey, which will be completed in 2021, will provide hard numbers for the entire wheatbelt. The survey, completed with investment from the GRDC, has been coordinated by Albany-based agronomist Andrew Storrie, of AGRONOMO. Contact: Andrew Storrie, AGRONOMO +61 (8) 9842 3598 0428 423 577 [email protected] @AgronomoOz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new GRDC publication containing the latest research into canola production in Western Australia’s low rainfall zones is now available. This detailed GRDC publication also contains grower case studies outlining how growers manage their crops to get the best results in these challenging environments. In this podcast you’ll hear from one of those growers Tony Murfit, who farms near Merredin, about a three hour drive east of Perth. Debra Bishop travelled to the eastern grain belt to record this account of Tony Murfit’s experience as a canola grower. Contact: Tony Murfit [email protected] GRDC resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2021/golden-rules-for-canola-in-the-low-rainfall-zone Other resources: https://grdc.com.au/chemical-weed-control-in-canola https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/04/spraying-for-rlem-could-become-a-thing-of-the-past https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/understanding-the-double-effect-of-high-temperature-on-crop-yield https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/exploring-the-effects-of-seed-size-and-target-plant-densities-on-the-yield-of-hybrid-canola-across-australia https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/canolas-deep-roots-agronomy-to-capture-benefits-and-manage-legacies https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/earwigs-an-appetite-for-destruction-or-are-they-beneficial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australia’s ongoing reliance on a limited range of chemicals has set a concerning trajectory for insecticide resistance. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies play an important role in curbing future resistance cases, however there’s a strong social dynamic at play when it comes to growers and advisers adopting these strategies on-farm. In this podcast, Bruce Howie from C-Qual Agritelligence and Kelly Angel from Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) delve into the social dynamic of IPM and share how advisers can help drive positive long-term change. This podcast has been developed as part of the investment, "Supporting the sustainable use of insecticides and local on-farm implementation of IPM strategies in the GRDC southern region”. The investment aims to provide knowledge and skills to growers so they are equipped with a range of appropriate IPM strategies for their situations. It is being delivered by BCG, Cesar Australia, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) which is the research division of Primary Industries and Regions SA, C-Qual Agritelligence, and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF). Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/insect-pest-control-are-you-advising-for-today-or-the-future https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/using-all-our-tools-for-pest-management-redlegged-earth-mite https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/using-all-our-tools-for-pest-management-diamondback-moth https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/using-all-our-tools-for-pest-management-green-peach-aphid https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2020/redlegged-earth-mite-best-management-practice-guide-southern https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2020/green-peach-aphid-best-management-practice-guide-southern https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2020/diamondback-moth-best-management-practice-guide-southern Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the December 2020 Crop Protection Forum in Perth, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development research scientist Ben Congdon spoke about the collaborative research effort underway to develop better proactive management strategies for Green Peach Aphid. GPA is a major vector for the transmission of Turnip yellows virus, a serious disease of canola crops which can result in yield losses of up to 46%. Contact: Ben Congdon [email protected] Resources: www.ahri.uwa.edu.au www.ccdm.com.au www.cesaraustralia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roberto Busi from the GRDC-supported Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative is working on the use of herbicide mixes as a powerful tool to combat resistant weeds. Dr Busi gave a presentation on this subject at the Crop Protection Forum in Perth in late 2020. Contact Roberto Busi [email protected] Useful resouces Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) Centre for Crop and Disease Management Cesar Australia WeedSmart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many decisions growers make are the result of trials undertaken to test any number of variables. These small plot trials are replicated and the results are reliable because they are small plots with little chance of spatial variability. However, the same analysis that is used to decide the results of small plot trials can not be transferred to large plot trials. On this podcast, Katia Stefanova and her colleagues from SAGI - West outline the problems with statistical analysis of large plot trials and the work being undertaken to solve the problem. Contact: Katia Stefanova [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kuhlmann family has been farming on the western side of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula for more than a hundred years. Peter Kuhlmann is the latest generation to farm the challenging calcareous soils in this part of the state. Like many growers, Peter has been keen to see more done to better understand these soils and has welcomed the new GRDC calcareous soils investment. The $6.75 million GRDC investment is an industry collaboration with the Soil CRC, CSIRO, Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, and the New South Wales DPI. Contact: Eyre Peninsula, SA grain grower Peter Kuhlmann [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/news-and-media-releases/south/2020/september/hostile-soils-the-target-of-major-new-research-effort https://soilcrc.com.au/grdc-co-invests-in-soil-crc-calcareous-soils-project/ Update papers: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/03/understanding-factors-affecting-the-effectiveness-of-p-and-pk-fertilisers-when-deep-banded http://soilquality.org.au/factsheets/soil-ph-south-austral https://cdn.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/3246539/Australian-Agriculture-in-2020-Pt2Ch8.pdf https://cwfs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Making-WUE-Work.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Calcareous soils are very common in the southern grain-growing region and cover 60% of the region’s cropping country. These soils are high in calcium carbonate, resulting in poor crop establishment and low grain yields compared to less hostile soils. But a new research initiative is set to improve the grain industry’s understanding of these soils and how they constrain crop yield and profitability. Behind the initiative is the Grains Research and Development Corporation in conjunction with the Co-operative Research Centre for high-performance soils, the Soil CRC. Also collaborating on this project are CSIRO, NSW DPI and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia. GRDC is investing 6.75 million dollars over 3 years in this initiative to build on previous research knowledge into calcareous soils. Contact: Nigel Wilhelm, Farming Systems Leader South Australian Research and Development Institute + 61 407 185 501 www.pir.sa.gov.au/research Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/news-and-media-releases/south/2020/september/hostile-soils-the-target-of-major-new-research-effort https://soilcrc.com.au/grdc-co-invests-in-soil-crc-calcareous-soils-project/ Update papers: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/03/understanding-factors-affecting-the-effectiveness-of-p-and-pk-fertilisers-when-deep-banded http://soilquality.org.au/factsheets/soil-ph-south-austral https://cdn.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/3246539/Australian-Agriculture-in-2020-Pt2Ch8.pdf https://cwfs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Making-WUE-Work.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For grower James Heggaton who farms around Kojunup in Western Australia, stubble is a crucial part of his farming system but one that must be actively managed year on year. On this podcast, which is one of a limited series looking at how farmers are managing stubble across the western region, James explains the role of stubble in a climate where moisture retention is just one of the factors that guide his stubble system. Contact: James Heggaton [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stubble retention is practiced by farmers across the western cropping region for a variety of reasons. A special series of GRDC/West Australian No Tillage Farmers Association podcasts have been produced featuring growers and advisers who explain how stubble retention fits into their systems, the advantages it brings and how they manage the issues sometimes heavy stubble loads create. On this podcast we speak to Bill Crabtree, a well known champion of conservation agriculture, who talks to us about his experience farming in a low rainfall area and the role that stubble retention plays in his farming system. Contact: Bill Crabtree [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the past three years, researchers in Western Australia have been trialling innovative new pasture legume species suited to low to medium rainfall areas. The findings are clear - new species can overcome traditional barriers to use and deliver significant benefits to mixed farming enterprises. In this podcast, Professor John Howieson from Murdoch University discusses the research findings so far and shares how growers can use this insight to boost productivity and profitability on-farm. It’s all part significant $18 million-dollar dryland pasture legume research initiative being led by the GRDC. This national project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program. In addition to the GRDC, the five-year project is also supported by Meat and Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation, and involves the South Australian Research and Development Institute the research division of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, Murdoch University, CSIRO, the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and NSW Department of Primary Industries, as well as 10 grower groups across WA, SA, Victoria and southern NSW. Contact: Ron Yates [email protected] John Howieson [email protected] More information: https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/choosing-the-best-pasture-legumes-for-lower-rainfall-areas 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

The extraordinarily high winds experienced by growers around Geraldton in May 2020 emphasised the importance of retaining stubble as a means of protecting the soil. This podcast is one of a limited series looking at how farmers are managing stubble across the western region, brought to you by GRDC and the Wester Australian No Tillage Farmers Association. Farm consultant Craig Topham talks about the lessons learned from that wind event and about the importance of fitting stubble retention into your farming system and the benefits that can bring. Contact: Craig Topham [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now is the time of year to test your paddock for dispersive soil. Many soils in south-eastern Australia have naturally dispersive topsoils that are prone to compaction, temporary water-logging and reduced seedling emergence. In this podcast, NSW Department of Primary Industries research Dr Ehsan Tavakkoli shares a simple one-hour soil test that quickly tells growers if dispersion is an issue in their paddocks, allowing them to make informed gypsum application decisions. Contact: Dr Ehsan Tavakkoli [email protected] Useful resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_6zHhlNyBU&t Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes calculating fertiliser toxicity risk in the paddock, the tools and resources available to growers haven’t really changed over the past 70 years. But exciting new research at the University of Adelaide is modernising our understanding and approach to this important industry issue. In this podcast, research lead Jacinta Dockerill shares the latest fertiliser toxicity research findings and insights. Contact: Jacinta Dockerill [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Agricultural technology has a long way to go. That was the message mixed enterprise farmer and Nuffield scholar Andrew Slade delivered to those attending the 2020 Perth Grains Research Update. In this podcast, Andrew talks about what conclusions he came home with after his Nuffield study tour and what that means for the adoption of digital technology in the Australian farming sector. Andrew Slade, Mix enterprise farmer Kedenup, Western Australia 0433 779 426 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices