GRDC Podcast

For a long time the European Union has been known as the home of tough regulation of farm chemicals. Several chemicals in common use in Australia are now banned or soon will be in some jurisdictions – something that is likely to surprise many Australian growers. So what has been the impact of regulation on the development of new chemistries? And will technology fill the void left by those pesticides now leaving the European marketplace? On this podcast we speak with British farm consultant, Keith Norman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The role of an agronomist is unique. At one end of the scale is simply working to sell a product, while at the other end of a scale is being a trusted advisor to clients. What does it take to become a trusted advisor, what skills are needed and what commitment required? And should you be a trusted advisor to every client? Contact: Dennis Hoiberg [email protected] More Information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/getting-to-the-trusted-advisor-grower-relationship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New region specific fact sheets detailing the latest research into Crown Rot Fact Sheets are now available for farmers and their advisers. The fact sheets are the result of more than six years of research and detail the very latest information on detecting the disease and limiting losses. On this podcast Agriculture Victoria Senior Plant Pathologist, Grant Hollaway discusses the disease and some recent developments on controlling its impact. Contact: Grant Hollaway [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rhizobium is a tiny microbe with a big dollar impact. Ensuring this beneficial soil bacteria has an optimal effect requires a number of key conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dry sowing pulse crops is the norm rather than the exception today, however, maximising nitrogen fixation is dependent on a number of factors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rhizobia are microbes that play an important role in nitrogen fixation in pasture and pulse legumes, but acid soils can have a big impact on the success of rhizobia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An important role of pulse crops is nitrogen fixation, and key to that process are nodules – what are they and why do growers need to know more about them? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The speed at which fungicide resistance can develop leaves no room for complacency. For example there are examples where spot form of net blotch has developed resistance in just one or two seasons. On this podcast Fran Lopez Ruiz from the Centre for Crop and Disease Management gives details of research which proves that some fungal diseases can start independently of the normal disease spread mechanisms, and also describes a recent discovery of a double mutant population which is resistant to two modes of action. Contact: Fran Lopez Ruiz [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like any other industry, agriculture needs to know where it’s going so it can create a pathway to the future. That’s where deep thinkers like Professor Tim Reeves comes into play. On this podcast Tim addresses the big issue facing agriculture right now – a doubling of production with the same amount of water and land and doing it sustainably. Contact: Professor Tim Reeves [email protected] Link: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/is-sustainable-intensification-of-cropping-systems-achievable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growers and advisers are urged to go beyond a visual inspection of crops to determine the exact cause of ill-thrift in a crop. Research that followed the devastating impact of beet western yellows virus in 2014 canola crops in South Australia has thrown up some anomalies causing scientists to urge more precision when it comes to diagnosing potential crop disease. Contact: Piotr Trebicki [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grazing dual purpose crops can be very profitable with high livestock prices. So doing it well quickly translates into extra dollars on the bottom line. Farm advisor, David Harbison says getting the fundamentals right takes planning and active management, with the result being significant shifts in profitability. Contact: David Harbison [email protected] Useful information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/wire,-water-and-grazing-management-in-dual-purpose-crops Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the 2020 Grains Research Update at Goondiwindi digital soil mapping specialist Ed Jones from the University of Sydney, gave a presentation on mapping soil properties and their impact on yield. It’s what in the near future will become the way growers and their advisors calculate what management a paddock, or section of a paddock needs to increase crop yield and maximise grower profit. The technique uses data from multiple sources, applies machine learning and delivers recommendations in weeks that until recently took decades to record, digest, trial and apply. Contact: Edward Jones Sydney Institute of Agriculture & Precision Agriculture Laboratory The University of Sydney 02 8627 1109 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Snails are one of those pests that can’t be controlled by any one tool – but a significant amount of research is happening across the country to give growers effective control options. In this podcast, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) entomologist Helen Brodie shares the latest research findings and insight on controlling snail populations. More Information: Helen Brodie [email protected] Resources: Update paper – Snail Management – Learnings from recent studies: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2020/02/snail-management-learnings-from-recent-studies Autumn is the best time to bait snails https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/news-and-media-releases/south/2020/april/autumn-is-the-time-to-bait-snails GRDC Snail bait application factsheet https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/factsheets/2015/01/snail-bait-application Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A grain grower survey conducted across 25 farm businesses in Western Australia’s northern agricultural region found the majority considered their cereal crop yields were being adversely affected by the inefficient use of micronutrients. In this podcast, grower Dylan Hirsch, based at Latham in WA, talks us through this survey and the broader GRDC investment behind it. The investment is a two-year project that aims to identify the requirements for, and benefits of, micronutrient foliar application in medium-to-low rainfall areas of WA’s Northern Agricultural Region. The research project is led by Western Australian grain grower group, the Liebe Group, in partnership with Murdoch University. Mr Hirsch is a member of the research group. Contact: Dylan Hirsch [email protected] Resources: Managing micronutrient deficiencies video: https://youtu.be/2CfXK8aJI7I Micronutrients and trace elements GRDC factsheet: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/factsheets/2013/11/grdc-fs-cropnutrition-micronutrients Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New research has shown just how deep canola roots will travel in their search for moisture late in the season. Trials have shown that there are significant yield advantages from early sown canbola that experiences a dry finish. But there are trade offs. In this podcast CSIRO’s John Kirkegaard reveals just how low canola roots go and the benefits that can be derived from early sown canola. Contact: John Kirkegaard CSIRO [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GRDC has invested in a two-year project that aims to identify the requirements for, and benefits of, micronutrient foliar application in medium-to-low rainfall areas of WA’s Northern Agricultural Region. The research project is led by Western Australian grain grower group, the Liebe Group, in partnership with Murdoch University. Murdoch University’s Professor Richard Bell talks us though the research and what it means for growers. Contact: Richard Bell [email protected] Resources: Managing micronutrient deficiencies video https://youtu.be/2CfXK8aJI7I Micronutrients and trace elements GRDC factsheet https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/factsheets/2013/11/grdc-fs-cropnutrition-micronutrients Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Controlled Traffic Farming is in simple terms driving your heavy vehicles on the same wheel tracks every time you’re in the paddock. In Australia’s southeastern grain growing region Controlled Traffic Farming has been widely adopted in high and medium rainfall zones but not so much in low rainfall zones. With investment from the GRDC a research project was undertaken to find out why this farming system was not being adopted in Low Rainfall Zones and if there are benefits in doing so - and there are! Contact: Nigel Wilhelm | Farming Systems Leader Affiliate-Senior Lecturer, The University of Adelaide South Australian Research and Development Institute - SARDI | Primary Industries and Regions SA - PIRSA Government of South Australia DX number P: +61 8 303 9353 | M: + 61 407 185 501 | W: www.pir.sa.gov.au/research Resources: https://grdc.com.au/CTF-in-LRZ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda was detected in Australia for the first time in January 2020 and a warning was issued to grain growers to inspect crops for signs of the pest’s presence. The larval stage of the moth is similar in appearance to many caterpillars already present in agricultural and horticultural crops and can cause severe economical damage, even total crop destruction. At the 2020 Grains Research Update at Goondiwindi principle entomologist with Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Melina Miles provided background to the Fall Armyworm’s detection in Queensland, explained what damage to look for and described what features identify this caterpillar from the many other caterpillar pests commonly found in Australia. Contact: Melina Miles Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries 203 Tor St, Toowoomba, Qld [email protected] Useful Resources: FAW identification https://bit.ly/3d66KqR Report sightings to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ironstone gravels are important cropping soils and a better understanding about the mineralogy and physical characteristics of these soils, especially their soil moisture holding capacity and high rates of phosphorus ‘fixation’ is urgently required. So the GRDC has invested in new research, led by the University of Western Australia, to study and understand these soils to help growers maximise crop productivity from these soils. Contact: Dr Matthias Leopold The University of Western Australia School of Agriculture and EnvironmentAustralia +61-(0)8-6488-2769 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GRDC’s investment in faba bean breeding has contributed to the delivery of new and improved Faba bean varieties to grain growers. In Western Australia’s Esperance Port Zone the high rainfall makes Faba beans a suitable legume to include in crop rotations and WA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development senior research scientist Mark Seymour has been working with growers to make the most of the benefits a pulse in the rotation can bring to cropping systems. Contact: Mark Seymour, Senior Research Officer Grain Crop Agronomy Department of Agriculture and Food t: + 61 (0)8 9083 1143 | f: + 61 (0)8 9083 11002 | m: + 61 (0)428 925 002 www.agric.wa.gov.au Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2020/2020-western-australian-crop-sowing-guide https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grownotes/crop-agronomy/faba-beans-western https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/groundcover-137-november-december-2018/faba-beans-emerging-from-the-shadows-in-wa https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/groundcover-137-november-december-2018/new-faba-beans-show-promise-as-hrz-break-crop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new research project in the Southern Region will take the principles of Precision Agriculture and apply them to addressing sub-soil constraints. Simply put, this innovative approach will identify the location of poorly performing soil, potentially reducing the areas within a paddock that need soil amelioration work to be done. Professor Roger Armstrong from Agriculture Victoria explains more on this podcast. Contact: Roger Armstrong [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Farmers and their advisers, naturally, are mostly focused on growing better grain – finding those incremental improvements that can often mean so much to the bottom line of farming businesses. But there are people also working at the other end of the grain trail – a long way from the farm – focused on improving market access and even developing new and innovative grain products to make Australian grain more valuable to customers. One such story is the work being undertaken by AEGIC – the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre – on making changes to the way Australian malting barley can be used by Chinese beer makers. Contact: Mark Tucek 08 6168 9900 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Esperance Port Zone grain grower Neil Wandel has been including faba beans in his crop rotations for 4 decades. While they might not be the highest value legume he could grow, the range of benefits faba beans bring to his paddocks make them a favourite rotation crop. Contact: Mark Seymour, Senior Research Officer Grain Crop Agronomy Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia PMB 50 | Esperance WA 6450 t: + 61 (0)8 9083 1143 | f: + 61 (0)8 9083 11002 | m: + 61 (0)428 925 002 Useful Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2020/2020-western-australian-crop-sowing-guide https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grownotes/crop-agronomy/faba-beans-western https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/groundcover-137-november-december-2018/faba-beans-emerging-from-the-shadows-in-wa https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/groundcover-137-november-december-2018/new-faba-beans-show-promise-as-hrz-break-crop Contact: Neil Wandel [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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