GRDC Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Through the careful analysis of more than 18 years of paddock data, we now know that cropping weeds constantly evolve to evade all forms of weed control, including non-herbicide strategies. In this podcast, Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) research agronomist, Dr Mike Ashworth, discusses the evolution of annual ryegrass and wild radish in our cropping systems, and how this information can be used to make strategic weed management decisions. Contact: Dr Mike Ashworth Research agronomist, AHRI [email protected] More information: Evolving weeds video on GRDC YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_NwE2ZdC7U&t=1s Groundcover online story https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/weeds-pests-diseases/weeds/evolving-weeds-dodge-multiple-management-controls Integrated weed management tactics https://weedsmart.org.au/the-big-6/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The next wave of productivity improvements will come from … the soil itself.” That’s a quotation from a valuable online resource for growers and their advisers – a series of E-books on improving the soils that make up Australia’s grains belt. The E-books are interactive and easy to digest and promise users a unique experience when it comes to learning and the application of the information for practical application of the knowledge. On this podcast we speak to one of the authors Associate Professor Fran Hoyle from The University of Western Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though consultants haven’t traditionally seen discussions with growers about stress management and mental health as part of their role it actually makes good business sense. The ‘slow creep’ of drought-related stress is detrimental to growers if unaddressed, but supporting growers to understand and manage their stress helps to prevent developing mental health problems, while also supporting future relationships and business outcomes. Consultants are skilled to support grower’s decision-making, and this becomes crucial in adverse times to assist them to understand the facts, their options and ways of making informed decisions. Contact: Letitia Cross, Rural Mental Health Coordinator 02 6757 0221 [email protected] Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/droughts-drain-driving-profit-through-supporting-good-mental-health Rural Adversity Mental Health Program RAMHP coordinator www.ramhp.com.au Beyond Blue help line 1300 224 636 Lifeline 13 11 14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rhizoctonia will cause yield losses especially where cereal crops have had a dry finish, but because this disease doesn’t like moist soils, those growers who have received late spring rains are unlikely to notice any impact. What this season does emphasise, however, is the need to monitor crops as what might appear completely healthy above ground could be significantly impacted below ground. One of the country’s leading authorities on rhizoctonia is Alan McKay, principal scientist soil biology and molecular diagnostics with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), which is the research division of the SA Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA). In this podcast, Dr McKay discusses rhizoctonia identification and management. Contact: Dr Alan McKay South Australian Research and Development Institute (08) 8429 2216 [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/factsheets/2016/02/rhizoctonia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An estimated 12.5 million hectares of sandy soils in southern and Western Australia are deemed at moderate and high risks of water repellence. In this podcast, researcher Dr Jack Desbiolles from the University of South Australia evaluates the effectiveness of available soil wetter chemistries and seeding tactics to improve crop productivity in non-wetting sandy soil. The research findings explored in this podcast are the result of two field trials that were run in 2018 and 2019, made possible through GRDC investment. The trials were conducted in a 270mm growing season rainfall zone at Murlong on the Eyre Peninsula, namely a soil wetter evaluation trial and a seeder strategy evaluation trial, aiming to compare a number of seeding strategies. Contact: Dr Jack Desbiolles Agricultural Machinery Research and Design Centre [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/seeder-based-approaches-to-reduce-the-impact-of-water-repellence-on-crop-productivity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all look for disease ratings when selecting a variety. Is it moderately resistant (MR) or moderately susceptible (MS)? What do MR and MS and all of the other designations actually mean? When it comes to pulses, in the past those ratings have meant different things to different people – but now a uniform description has been developed. Agriculture Victoria plant pathologist, John Fanning explains how it will work. Contact: Josh Fanning [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A key consideration when growing a cereal grain crop such as wheat is knowing a variety’s Optimal flowering period. With that knowledge sowing times can be planned to minimise risks such as frost damage and heat stress, and maximise crop productivity. But what happens when the Optimal Flowering Period moves, as a result of climate change. Contact: Andrew Fletcher, CSIRO Agriculture and Food 08 9333 6467 [email protected] Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/03/what-are-the-optimal-flowering-periods-for-wheat-across-western-australia-and-how-will-they-change-with-potential-climate-change https://www.nvtonline.com.au/crop-guides/wa/ https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2020/2020-western-australian-crop-sowing-guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Accessing the latest information on fungicide resistance has never been easier – thanks to the newly established Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN). In this podcast, Dr Kylie Ireland from the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM) discusses what the network has to offer, and the top five fungicide best management practices. AFREN has been established by the GRDC to develop and deliver a fungicide resistance management guide, workshops, information sessions and webinars, as well as crop-specific factsheets, updates and email alerts. The project brings together regional plant pathologists, fungicide resistance experts, and communication and extension specialists from across the country. Project partners include AgCommunicators, Agriculture Victoria, CCDM, Centre for Crop Health at the University of Southern Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Research Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia, Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) Australia, Independent Consultants Australia Network (ICAN), Marcroft Grains Pathology, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) which is the research division of Primary Industries and Regions SA, and the University of Melbourne. Contact: Dr Kylie Ireland Extension Coordinator, CCDM, Curtin University [email protected] More information: www.afren.com.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frost damage to Canola is a significant annual issue for the nation’s grains industry. Spring frosts in particular are the most economically damaging for growers as crop yields and quality are developing at this time. In this podcast NSW DPI crop physiologist and frost researcher Dr Rajneet Uppal discusses when and where to search within a canola crop for frost damage, how to identify pod damage and recommendation for minimising frost risk generally. Dr Uppal’s work is being conducted as part of the NSW DPI and GRDC Grains Agronomy and Pathology Partnership (GAPP). Her work is pioneering infield testing methodologies to help better understand the impacts; single and multiple frost events occurring at different growth stages in canola have on grain production. Contact: Dr Rajneet Uppal, Crop physiologist NSW Department of Primary Industries Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute 0403 896 513 [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2019/frost-identification-guide-for-canola-and-pulses https://youtu.be/6uruleESKk8 https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/effect-of-heat-stress-on-canola-grain-yield-and-quality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A missing link will soon be added to the pulse chain. A new and quite simple way of measuring the quality of pulses on farm is being developed that has the potential to add some serious cash to the bottom line of farmers. Work is being undertaken at the Agriculture Victoria laboratory at Horsham in Victoria, where this podcast was recorded. Contact: Cassandra Walker [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Western Australian growers are urged to be on alert following the discovery of succinate dehydrogenase (SDHI, Group 7) resistance in spot form of net blotch (SFNB) in barley crops in the WA grainbelt. The resistance has been uncovered by the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), which is a co-investment by the GRDC and Curtin University. In this podcast, CCDM researcher Dr Fran Lopez shares the details of this significant discovery and its consequences for the grains industry. Contact details: Dr Fran Lopez [email protected] More information: https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/news-and-media-releases/national/2020/september/sdhi-resistance-in-sfnb-of-barley-discovered-for-the-first-time-in-australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deciding on what portion of your winter cereal crop will be cut for hay, can be a complex decision. One important factor is the amount of nutrient that is exported in the hay and the cost of replacing that nutrient. On this podcast, crop nutrition specialist Rob Norton discusses some of the critical issues you need to keep in mind when deciding your hay cutting strategy. Further information: Rob Norton [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spot Form Net Blotch is the most common foliar disease of barley in Australia and given the right season, it can cause significant losses. A new fact sheet is now available that details the very latest knowledge about the disease and its management. This podcast features Agriculture Victoria plant pathologist, Mark McLean who has devoted the better part of two decades researching the disease. Contact: Mark McLean [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/391834/GRDC_FS_SpotForm_2002_05-003.pdf?utm_source=website&utm_medium=download_link&utm_campaign=pdf_download&utm_term=&utm_content=Spot%20Form%20Net%20Blotch%20Factsheet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A summer rainstorm can restore your soil moisture profile after harvest, but it could also deliver enough of the wet stuff to grow a summer crop. On this podcast we look at a series of trials that are testing the growability of a range of legumes that have been grown mostly much further north. Further information: James Nuttall [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to managing subsurface acidity, the message is clear - it’s much better to prevent subsurface acidity than it is to treat it. Across Australia’s growing regions, subsurface acidity has largely gone undetected and untreated, but a significant amount of research is underway to help growers address this important issue. In this podcast, Primary Industries and Regions SA soil consultant Melissa Fraser shares the latest subsurface acidity research findings and management advice. More information: Dr Melissa Fraser [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/subsurface-acidity-how-far-has-the-research-advanced https://youtu.be/0bUfCwpfBxo https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2018/legumes-in-acidic-soils Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The farm is one of Australia’s most dangerous workplaces. According to year-to-date figures from Safe Work Australia, which compiles data on work-related traumatic injury fatalities, 21 of 104 workplace fatalities in 2020 have occurred on-farm, that’s roughly 20 per cent of the total. The only other workplace with a higher number of fatalities is the transport, postal and warehousing sector which would employ much bigger numbers than farming. Of the 104 deaths up until early August, 34 were from this sector. While those figures don’t tell us what caused the fatalities, it’s a reminder to us all to never underestimate risk. And one area of potential risk on-farm is the handling of hazardous chemicals. In this podcast, Safe Farms WA executive officer Maree Gooch discusses chemical safety on farm, relevant government legislation and what growers should know to legally comply with the legislation. Contact: Safe Farms WA Maree Gooch, Executive Officer 0438 374 136 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Western Australian grain grower Duncan Young farms at Beverley in the west of the State’s central wheatbelt. Duncan is a well-respected grower and is the immediate past president of the WA Farmers Grains Council. One of the things that makes Duncan Young a good operator is his approach to chemical safety on farm and, with National Farm Safety Week a recent event, Debra Bishop speaks in this podcast with Duncan about the steps he takes to keep everyone safe on farm when working with hazardous chemicals. Useful resources: https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/A-guide-to-the-management-of-pesticides-in-local-government https://safefarms.net.au [email protected] www.Auschemwa.com.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new resource for grain growers called Profit from Precision Agriculture offer grain growers an easy to follow step by step approach to adopting PA. Put together for GRDC by consultants Rural Directions and Think Agri, the resource acts as an implementation guide and cautions against rushing too quickly to buy the latest PA equipment without first understanding how the principles of precision agriculture would apply on your farm. On this podcast, we speak to one of the authors, Patrick Redden from Rural Directions. Contact: Patrick Redden [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2020/profit-for-precision-agriculture https://grdc.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/394078/Profit-from-Precision-Agriculture-Output-3-Report.pdf?utm_source=website&utm_medium=download_link&utm_campaign=pdf_download&utm_term=South&utm_content=Profit%20from%20precision%20agriculture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The five-year iMapPESTS project is using the latest in-field technology to rapidly and accurately monitor and report on airborne pests and pathogens. In this podcast, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) researcher Rohan Kimber discusses that the project has achieved so far and what opportunities exist for this in-field technology. iMapPESTS is a $21 million dollar research, development and extension (RD&E) endeavour funded by the Australian Federal Government through the Rural R&D for Profit Program, as well as investment from all seven plant industry Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), and in-kind contributions from national and international partner organisations including, SARDI, Agriculture Victoria and Rothamsted Research (UK), to name a few. The seven plant industry RDCs involved in this project are Hort Innovation, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Sugar Research Australia, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Wine Australia, AgriFutures Australia, and Forest and Wood Products Australia. Contact: Rohan Kimber, SARDI [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/imappests-sentinel-surveillance-for-agriculture https://www.imappests.com.au/ https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/weeds-pests-diseases/diseases/sentinel-takes-watch-of-plant-pests-and-diseases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They say travel broadens the horizons and that was certainly the case when Riverine soil scientist Cassandra Schefe visited North America to look at farming systems in Canada and the US. In Canada Cassandra found researchers extracting protein from pulse crops for use in domestic food products, making growing pulses more valuable, while in the US her focus turned to the use of cover crops in Summer. An established practice in the US but could it work in Australia was the question Cassandra wanted to answer. Contact: Cassandra Schefe [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Knowledge gained from six years of research on root lesion nematodes has been compiled into easy to read region specific fact sheets. Growers and advisers will be able to better assess the risk that root lesion nematodes pose to a paddock across a range of scenarios – from doing nothing to a full control program. Agriculture Victoria plant pathologist, Josh Fanning talks us through the new facts sheets in this podcast and you can click on the link below to find your fact sheet. Contact: Josh Fanning [email protected] Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/factsheets/2019/root-lesion-nematode-southern https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/factsheets/2019/root-lesion-nematode-western https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/factsheets/2019/root-lesion-nematode-northern Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The national Hyper Yielding Crops initiative is the GRDC’s new investment to push crop yield boundaries in high yield potential grain-growing environments across Australia. The initiative will involve five centres of excellence. Attached to each centre of excellence will be five focus farms (25 farms in total) and a lead grower network aimed at taking research and development learnings from small plot to paddock scale. Grower and adviser involvement is now being sought to inform the research direction. Through the new investment, high yield potential cultivars suited to local environments will be identified and the most appropriate agronomic management tactics – including paddock selection and preparation, canopy management, disease, weed and pest control, and crop nutrition strategies – will be explored to assist grower and adviser decision making. Extension co-ordinator: Nick Poole, Managing Director Foundation for Arable Research Australia +61 499 888 066 Jon Midwood, TechCrop Services 0400 666 434 [email protected] @Crop_Watch Regional contacts: Ashley Amourgis SFS, VIC [email protected] Ian Herbert SFS, TAS [email protected] Kate Coffey Riverine Plains, NSW [email protected] Jen Lillecrapp MFMG, SA [email protected] Phillip Mackie Stirlings to Coast farmers, WA [email protected] Useful resources: o https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/hyper-yielding-cereals-project https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2PndQdkNRHHNrRus6zZ2v5QKw8hIwVvs o https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/03/hyper-yielding-cereals-are-extra-inputs-needed-and-if-so,-do-they-pay o https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/cereals/new-hyper-yielding-investment-to-push-crop-production-boundaries https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/07/tasmanians-are-on-the-frontline-of-fungicide-resistance-what-options-are-available-to-slow-the-train Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Delivering nitrogen to your crop is one of the more difficult decisions you make each year. Have you supplied enough, or have you supplied too much. This year you have a new friend, in the form of the Nitrogen Reference Manual for the Southern Region. The release of the manual comes at the perfect time for growers who are poised to do top up nitrogen applications. On this podcast, we hear from ag consultant Bill Long about the manual, soil scientist Cassie Schefe about what’s happening in your soil right now and grower Andrew Russell about his nitrogen program and the pleasant surprise he got this year. Useful resources: https://grdc.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/392136/A-Nitrogen-Reference-Manual-for-the-Southern-Cropping-Region-FINAL.pdf?utm_source=website&utm_medium=download_link&utm_campaign=pdf_download&utm_term=South&utm_content=A%20nitrogen%20reference%20manual%20for%20the%20southern%20cropping%20region Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices