Grains Convo

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Senior Research Scientist Dr Marty Harries, Senior Development Officer Megan Abrahams and Research Scientist Steph Boyce

In this episode of Grains Convo, Janette Pratt hosts Dr Marty Harries, Senior Development Officer Megan Abrahams and Research Scientist Steph Boyce, as they dive into an update of the WA Farming Systems Project.

The team delve into how the project addresses specific challenges faced by growers in the low, medium-north, and medium-south rainfall regions. Researchers also explain the how the balancing act of reducing nitrogen outputs while maintaining profitability is being approached in the trials.

Episode Links:
Click here to read further details about the project
Click here to read DPIRD media release Future-focused farming systems trials now in the ground

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Principal Research Scientist Dr Catherine Borger and Research Scientist Miranda Slaven

In this episode of Grains Convo, Janette Pratt hosts Catherine Borger and Miranda Slaven as they explain how electric weed control compares to traditional herbicide methods in terms of effectiveness and sustainability for grain crops in WA.

They also discuss how the varying levels of soil moisture impact the efficacy of electric weed control, and what the optimal conditions are for its application.

Episode Links:
Click here to read DPIRD media release Electric weed control trials create a buzz 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist Hamid Shirdelmoghanloo

In this episode of Grains Convo, Janette Pratt hosts DPIRD Research Scientist
Hamid Shirdelmoghanloo, as they discuss one of three projects DPIRD is involved in looking into oat yield and pathways, particularly focusing on the ‘Yield per se’ project.

Hamid then delves into some of the reasons why oats are making a resurgence in the health and wellness space, and how the role of oats in the global landscape is evolving.

Episode Links:
Click here to read about the Processed Oat Partnership (POP) project 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Senior Research Scientist Ben Congdon

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts DPIRD Senior Research Scientist Ben Congdon, as they discuss what exactly turnip yellows virus is, and how to diagnose it in the field. 

Ben also addresses how green peach aphids contribute to the spread of the virus in WA, management strategies, and some of the findings from monitoring in 2024. 

Episode Links:
Click here to read DPIRD webpage Turnip yellows virus in canola: diagnosis, epidemiology and management 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Manager of Crop Protection Portfolio, Senior Research Scientist, Dr Helen Spafford

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts the Manager of DPIRD's Crop Protection Portfolio, Dr Helen Spafford, as they discuss Fall armyworm. 

They go through what it is, whether should growers be worried about it, and when it was first detected. 

Helen also addresses the impact the pest has on crops, and be sure to tune in throughout the episode, as Helen describes what its distinguishing features are and typical breeding habits. 

Episode Links:
Click here to read DPIRD webpage Fall armyworm in Western Australia 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist Ahmed Saad

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts DPIRD Research Scientist Ahmed Saad, as they go through exactly what Rhizoctonia is and whether growers should be worried about it.

Ahmed then delves into typical management strategies, before discussing a new project which is fully funded by DPIRD, and why this research is so important for the grains industry.

Episode Links:
Click here to read Protecting WA Crops article New project to reduce Rhizoctonia impact in low and medium rainfall zones
Click here to read DPIRD webpage Diagnosing rhizoctonia root rot in cereals

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Principal Research Scientist David Hall

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts DPIRD Principal Research Scientist David Hall, as they discuss sodic soils and David's work spanning 30-years (and counting) in this space. 

David then delves into where sodic and alkaline clay soils occur most throughout WA, and explains the reasons why sodic soils are highly productive in above average rainfall years, but have poor outcomes for grain production in dry years.

Episode Links:
Click here to read more about the project Increased grower profitability on soils with sodicity 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Principal Soil Scientist Dr Gaus Azam

In this episode of Grains Convo, Janette Pratt hosts DPIRD Principal Soil Scientist Dr Gaus Azam, as they discuss honour of the Recognising and Rewarding Excellence Award and how Gaus has spent his travel bursary thus far. 

Gaus then delves into the first leg of his trip, Germany, and shares a highlight reel of information he'd like to relay back to colleagues and stakeholders after his trip to the USA and Canada later in the year. 

Episode Links:
Click here to read DPIRD media release Department grains researchers receive award honours at industry event
Click here to read other GRDC award categories

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD senior research scientist Dusty Severtson

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts DPIRD research scientist Dusty Severtson, as they discuss Dusty's research in broadacre grains entomology and the exciting possibilities of using drones in this field.
 
Dusty then looks to the future and discusses whether there is scope to integrate drone technology into standard agricultural practices in Australia.

Episode Links:
Click here to read DPIRD media release Joint project to identify unknown weevil
Click here to read DPIRD media release Project evaluating 'eyes in the skies' technology to detect crop pests  
Click here to read GrainsConvo article Mission to identify an incognito weevil

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Entomologist Svetlana Micic

In this episode of Grains Convo, Janette Pratt hosts DPIRD Entomologist Svetlana Micic, as they discuss a new fly biocontrol program which has commenced on the South Coast, and how to manage snails in broadacre crops. 

Svet delves into the types of species growers are most likely to find, goes through the new program, and answers the question "will these flies become the new cane toad?" 

Episode Links:
Click here to read more on the DPIRD webpage Identification and control of pests slugs and snails for broadacre crops in Western Australia
Click here to read the Slugs and Snails webpage on the GRDC website