Episodios
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Warm conditions across much of Western Australia and variable rainfall in 2024 contributed to mixed levels of fungal disease severity in the State’s cereal, pulse and oilseed crops.
With this in mind, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in Western Australia, with investment from GRDC, is urging growers to start thinking about their integrated disease management strategies for the 2025 season as soon as possible.
In this episode, DPIRD plant pathologist Geoff Thomas joins us to discuss the problematic diseases from 2024, and how to get ahead of them for the 2025 growing season.
Download the transcript for this episode
Contact:
Geoff Thomas
DPIRD
Plant pathologist
[email protected]
More information:
Paddock Practices: Start managing 2025 disease risks now
Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network
Decision support tools aid disease management decisions
Project codes
DAW2104-001RTX, DAW2104-002RTX, DAW2404-005RTX
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In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre chats with Merrie Carlshausen, a former nurse turned essential advocate for farming communities in Western Australia.
Merrie shares her journey from her beginnings in nursing to her work with rural financial counseling and the Liebe Group, where she has facilitated impactful change in farming practices and family dynamics. Merrie highlights the importance of succession planning, the role of family meetings, and the collaborative nature of farming families.
She discusses her work with the Rural Financial Counseling Service, her contributions to the Liebe Group’s research efforts, and her commitment to empowering women and youth in agriculture. Through her stories and insights, Merrie provides invaluable advice on navigating family relationships in farming and staying adaptive to agricultural innovation.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube
More information
Liebe Group
GRDC Succession Planning and Communication fact sheet
Rural Financial Counseling Service
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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Chris Warrick and Alex Conway are part of the GRDC's grain storage extension team. Their task is to help growers with their on-farm storage, as well as undertake development activities to try and understand tools and equipment that can be used to better store grain on-farm.
On this podcast episode, Chris and Alex talk about three topics on grain storage - fumigating and venting in grain bags, recirculation systems for large storage when fumigating with phosphine, and monitoring grain temperature in storage.
Download the transcript for this episode
Contact:
Alex Conway
GRDC Grain Storage Extension Team
[email protected]
Chris Warrick
GRDC Grain Storage Extension Team
[email protected]
More information:
Stored Grain Information Hub
Project Codes:
PRB2011-001SAX
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In this episode, we sit down with David Tropiano, a grain farmer from Mullewa, WA, as he shares his journey from a reluctant start in farming to running a multi-generational operation.
David opens up about the realities of farming in Western Australia, from handling different soil types and the competitive land market to the impact of weather on crops.
He also reflects on the evolution of farming practices, the importance of long-term leasing agreements, and how he and his family are planning for the future.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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According to Dr Greg Rebetzke, Chief Research Scientist at CSIRO, plant breeding is the key cornerstone of modern agriculture. Unless we have the best varieties, giving us the capacity to breed high yielding crops, then there's greater risk in farming. This podcast delves into the history of plant breeding and Dr Rebetzke brings us up to date with the latest research into breeding and explains plant genetics.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch the video here https://youtu.be/66ZNzwRi278
Contact:
Dr Greg Rebetzke, Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO
[email protected]
More Information:
Breeding investments
Plant Breeding: securing the world's future food production capability
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In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre speaks with Fiona Dempster, a researcher and grower from Mingenew, Western Australia. Fiona’s unique background in natural resource management and her ongoing research with the University of Western Australia bring fascinating insights into the intersection of scientific study and hands-on farming.
Fiona shares her journey from city life in Perth to rural farm life, her work on projects that tackle herbicide resistance and risk management in grain farming, and her role in the BeefLinks project, which aims to improve cattle industry practices. Her work highlights the importance of connecting research with practical on-ground needs, and she emphasises the complex decision-making growers face every day.
Download the transcript for this episode
More information:
University of Western Australia
BeefLinks Project
RiskWise Project
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship Program provides a bursary of $5000 a year during the final two years of a degree, along with professional development, work placements and networking opportunities.
Supported by the GRDC, the scholarship program fosters the next generation of agricultural leaders who are interested in contributing to the Australian grains industry's success.
In this podcast, we hear from Horizon scholarship recipient, Grace Moloney on how the experience has opened doors for her professionally here in Australia and abroad.
Download the transcript for this episode
Contact
Grace Moloney, AgriFutures Horizon scholar
[email protected]
More information
Cold, wet conditions an eye-opener for travelling grains scholar
AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship
GRDC investment code
RDC2303-002AWX
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In this episode, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with Mike Ewing, a scientist with over 40 years of experience in agricultural research, particularly in farming systems, break crops and whole-farm profitability.
Mike discusses his long-standing passion for plants and their unique adaptations, especially in the challenging environment of Western Australia's grain-growing regions. He shares insights from his career that has trotted the globe and ultimately landed him back in Western Australia to transform the agriculture industry. His research helped introduce and integrate lupins into the farming system as a sustainable legume crop.
Through collaboration between researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders Mike believes the models and systems they work on together can drive meaningful innovation for the future.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube
More information:
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)
Cottesloe Coast Care
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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Mouse populations across a large part of grain growing regions were higher than average across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, requiring an increased effort in mouse management from growers.
To help Australian grain growers reduce crop losses due to mouse damage, a GRDC investment is examining mouse bait application techniques to better understand the performance and likely efficacy of various options.
In this episode, we’re joined by agricultural research engineer Ben White who is leading the project team, as well as CSIRO mouse expert Steve Henry who starts us off with a bit of a history lesson.
Download the transcript for this episode
Contact:
Steve Henry, Mouse expert
CSIRO
[email protected]
Ben White, Agricultural research engineer
[email protected]
More information:
Bait spreading methods examined to combat mouse damage in crops
Mouse tracking project in WA
Project Codes:
BVW2302-001SAX
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In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre speaks with Steve Davies, a soil scientist and researcher based in Western Australia. Steve’s love of dirt spawned from his quirky teacher in high school. That small moment budded into a 20+ year career investigating how to make grain farming more sustainable and productive.
In this episode, Steve explains how he collaborates with researchers, advisers and growers to address some of the west’s most challenging soil constraints. He also reflects on the evolution of the industry, crediting growers' contributions to advancements and discussing the incremental and significant changes in agricultural practices.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube
More information:
CSIRO
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
University of Western Australia
Urrbrae Agricultural High School
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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Being an agronomist is a role with many hats, and while the in season can be demanding, with the right network and support it can be hugely rewarding work.
In this podcast we hear from two successful agronomists that came to the profession in very different ways, Meteora Agronomic Consulting independent agronomist Liz Lobsey and Platinum Ag Services senior agronomist Matthew Howell. They have their own unique stories and recommendations for anyone starting their agronomy career.
Download the transcript for this episode.
Contact
Liz Lobsey - Independent agronomist
Meteora Agronomic Consulting
[email protected]
Matthew Howell - Senior agronomist
Platinum Ag Services
[email protected]
More information
Help never far away in the wide-ranging agronomy network
GRDC investment code
ORM1906-002SAX
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In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre talks to Ryan Skamp, a former carpenter-turned-farmer and co-founder of an ag-tech startup. Ryan shares his unconventional journey from city life in Perth to establishing a career in agriculture, driven by a passion for problem-solving and efficiency.
Now the co-founder of "Skan," Ryan and his team develop technology solutions to optimise farm operations, cutting down on inefficiencies and offering time-saving tools to farmers. This episode provides insights into his transition from a tradie lifestyle to farming and entrepreneurship, the challenges of work-life balance in agriculture, and his vision for innovation in the industry.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube
More information:
GRDC GroundUp Program
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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Rhizoctonia is a soil borne disease that causes a huge impact for farmers in Australia, particularly in the low and medium rainfall zones, with yield loss in the vicinity of $150 million for wheat and barley annually.
With GRDC investment, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia is developing disease risk and management strategies that are practical and economical for growers to reduce the impact of rhizoctonia in the Southern and Western cereal growing regions.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Daniel Hüberli from DPIRD to learn about the integrated and cost-effective approach of cultural, chemical and biological management strategies that the research team is working to create.
Download the transcript for this episode.
Contact:
Dr Daniel Hüberli
Research Scientist, DPIRD
[email protected]
More information:
Epidemiology and management of Rhizoctonia in low and medium rainfall zones
New project to reduce Rhizoctonia impact in low and medium rainfall zones
Project Codes:
DAW2206-006RTX
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In this episode of GRDC’s In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre chats with Erin Cahill. Erin is a fourth-generation farmer and agronomist from Moora, Western Australia. Erin shares his journey from working with agronomy giant CSBP to starting his own farming business which started with a few humble hectares and scaled drastically through the years.
It hasn’t been without challenge though. His farm has been at the mercy of Western Australia's varying soil types and weather. But through the evolution of precision agriculture, and the role of agronomy in making informed decisions for farm profitability, Erin shares how you can stand out as WA farmers in this trying Australian agricultural landscape.
Tune in to hear Erin’s insights on farming, agronomy, and the importance of staying ahead in an ever-evolving industry.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube
More information:
CSBP
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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For many farmers, it’s been a tight finish to the season due to dry conditions or frost. This makes preparing the books and finances for the year ahead more challenging, but as we’ll explore in this podcast, help is available and there are practical steps you can take to get ahead. Tony Hudson is the Director and Founder of Hudson Facilitation. A key part of his business is private financial consulting for farmers across Australia and he has practical advice to share on forward planning with reduced seasonal returns.
Download the transcript for this episode.
Contact:
Tony Hudson
[email protected]
More Information:
‘Planning forward on reduced seasonal returns’ webinar, GRDC Farm Business Update online
Project Code:
ORM2401-001SAX
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More about this podcast
In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, we’re joined by Brianna Peake, Chief Stakeholder Relations Sustainability and Strategy Officer at CBH Group. Brianna’s journey of growing up in Western Australia, shapes how she approaches sustainability today in one of nation’s largest agricultural cooperatives. Enriched with travel and a diverse set of experiences she shares her leadership style and how it aims to address the rapid needs of the industry. We explore her thoughts on women in leadership, the role of cooperatives in sustainability, and the importance of professionals in ag.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f3gbskXMRZU
More information
CBH Group
Australian Rural Leadership Program
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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When a new variety of lentil came out that was a bit more boron tolerant, Scott Wandel thought it was time to give the legume another go. Farming at Mount Ridley, near Grass Patch in WA, Scott increased the hectares planted to lentils quickly after their introduction.
As a member of SEPWA, the South East Premium Wheatgrowers Association, Scott is a part of the cohort of 'Legume Leaders' that has been established by the Grower Group Alliance, with investment from GRDC.
In this episode, Scott tells us how a trip to Horsham in Victoria inspired him to give lentils a go.
Download the transcript for this episode.
Contact:
Scott Wandel
Grower
[email protected]
More information:
Closing the economic yield gap of grain legumes in WA
Legume Leader bios and contact details
Project Code:
GGA2110-002SAX
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More about this podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Bec Kelly, a third-generation farmer from Mingenew, WA, who shares her journey from global adventurer to dedicated farmer. After traveling through America, South America, and Europe, Bec returned to the family farm in 2018, where she has since embraced the highs and lows of agriculture.
She talks about the unpredictability of farming, her passion for wheat, canola, and lupin production, and the importance of surrounding herself with the right team of advisors. As a recent Nuffield Scholar, Bec has also explored how farmers can better negotiate with energy companies, and she offers insights from her global research on the subject. If you're curious about what it’s like to take over a family farm and the role of innovation in modern agriculture, this episode will inspire and inform.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IhKiHATX7DY
More information
Nuffield Australia
Grains Research & Development Corporation
Mingenew Irwin Group
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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While new innovations in farming technology and machinery offer growers incredible increases to productivity and profitability, many of these innovations are released without growers having any hands-on experience with how they work or understanding how they can add value to their farming systems.
That’s why a GRDC National Grower Network investment for Live Machinery Demo Days was created. The first event was hosted the Western Australian No-Tillage Farmers Association (WANTFA) at Cunderdin, with a focus on precision agriculture and variable rate technology.
In this episode, we’re joined by David Minkey from WANTFA and Frankland River grower Ben Beech to find out more about the benefits of hands-on opportunities and practical demonstrations for growers.
Download the transcript for this episode.
Contact:
David Minkey
Executive Director, WANTFA
[email protected]
More information:
WANTFA and GRDC's Cunderdin demo day a huge hit with Wheatbelt growers
Hands-on with the latest farm machinery innovations
Project Code:
WAN2310-001SAX
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More about this podcast
In this episode of the GRDC In Conversation podcast, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Ben White, a highly respected agricultural engineer, researcher, and extension specialist. Ben is known for his work at the Kondinin Group, where he has spent over 20 years testing agricultural machinery, developing cutting-edge research, and providing farmers with practical solutions to improve their operations. The conversation delves into Ben's early life growing up on a sheep and cattle farm, his passion for machinery, and how he transitioned into the grains industry.
Ben talks about his work across a variety of fields, including grain storage, harvester setup, and mobile communications testing. He also shares stories about hands-on research, such as developing glow-in-the-dark bait for mouse baiting trials and reflects on the importance of communication and collaboration in translating complex research into practical advice for farmers. From mobile phone testing to preventing harvester fires, Ben’s work has had a broad and lasting impact on Australian agriculture.
Download the transcript for this episode
Watch this episode as a video on YouTube
More information
Kondinin Group – Farming Ahead
GRDC Harvester Setup Guide
GRDC Stored Grain Information Hub or call 1800 WEEVIL
GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.
GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX
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