Grains Convo

Crops are emerging and can be vulnerable to damage from insects or infection from viruses such as turnip yellows virus which is vectored by the green peach aphid.    

In this episode Research Scientists Benjamin Congdon, Dusty Severtson and Sveltana Micic discuss what insects (pests and beneficials) growers and consultants can expect to find at crop establishment. They also discuss the importance of regularly monitoring crops and correctly diagnosing the cause of plant damage and not assuming it’s caused by an invertebrate pest or virus. They also mention the importance of targeted and registered insecticide applications if insect pests are accurately identified and plants are not outgrowing damage.

Episode Links:

• DPIRD’s PestFacts WA service 
• Cesar Australia’s Redlegged earth mite hatch tool 
• Cesar Australia’s Beneficials Chemical Toxicity Table 
• GRDC’s Manage turnip yellows virus in canola factsheet 
• DPIRD’s Insecticide spray guides 
  

Enjoyed this episode? Visit the Grains Convo podcast on the DPIRD website for related links, show notes and more episodes.

New research is showing what's possible when multiple soil issues are addressed together. In this episode, DPIRD principal research scientist Dr Gaus Azam discusses findings from the Soil Water and Nutrition Management (SWAN) investment. From soil reengineering to large scale grower trials, Gaus shares insights into building more productive, resilient soils that can support stronger crop performance now and into the future. 

DPIRD economists have analysed how different nitrogen strategies perform under urea prices ranging from $600 to $1,500 per tonne. In this episode, agricultural economist Sud Kharel discusses the findings, which compare common crop rotations across multiple WA environments and soil types using decades of weather, price and production data. 

Sud explains the difference between fixed rate and economically targeted nitrogen strategies, explores how rising fertiliser costs can shift the profitability of crop rotations, and highlights the role legumes can play in reducing risk. The conversation also looks at how growers can use gross margin analysis to support paddock and whole farm decision making when fertiliser prices and supply remain uncertain.

DPIRD research scientists Meredith Guthrie and Steve Bradshaw discuss the 2026 seasonal outlook for WA and how growers can use climate and weather information, and DPIRD tools, to support decision making throughout the season. The episode explores current rainfall conditions, the potential development of an El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole later this year, and what those climate drivers could mean for winter and spring rainfall across the grainbelt.

The discussion also highlights the newly upgraded DPIRD Weather App and DPIRD’s statewide weather station network, which provides growers with real time weather data, radar overlays, and customised alerts to help monitor seasonal conditions.

Episode Links:

‎DPIRD Weather Stations App - Apple

DPIRD Weather Stations App - Google Play

DPIRD Season 2026 webpage

Potential yield tool

Soil Water Tool

Rainfall to date tool

Extreme weather events tool

This episode explores how growers can adjust inputs to maximise economic yield potential, not just crop yield. DPIRD economist Nick Thorsager explains the importance of focusing on return on investment, particularly in seasons with high input costs and variable rainfall. The discussion highlights practical ways to balance risk and reward, using tools, data and whole-farm thinking to support more confident decision making.

Episode links:

MyEconomic tool
Potential yield tool
Soil water tool
Rainfall to date tool

In this episode of Grains Convo, Tim Scanlon speaks with Greg Shea about getting the most from lupins this season.
They cover practical agronomy, soil testing and nutrient decisions to maximise nitrogen benefits and manage input costs.
The discussion highlights how lupins can set up following crops and support better returns over multiple seasons.

Episode links:

Producing Lupins 

Crop Sowing Guide

Rainfall to date tool

Soil water tool

In this episode of Grains Convo, Tim Scanlon speaks with Mark Seymour about how to get the most from pulse crops this season.
They cover key decisions around soil type, inoculation, nutrient management and crop selection to reduce risk and maximise returns.
The discussion highlights how pulses can improve soil health, manage weeds and deliver valuable nitrogen benefits for following crops.

Episode links:
​​​​​​​Potential yield tool
Crop Sowing Guide

With diesel prices and input constraints front of mind, making the right call on deep ripping has never been more important. In the latest Grains Convo episode, Tim Scanlon speaks with Wayne Parker about the EasyDiesel Calculator, a simple tool designed to help growers understand the financial impact of deep ripping before committing valuable resources.

Episode links:

Easy Diesel Calculator

DPIRD/GRDC Deep Ripping factsheet

Soil Water Tool

In this episode of Grains Convo, host Tim Scanlon speaks with DPIRD Senior Research Scientist Jackie Bucat about managing canola under tight seasonal and input constraints.

With rising costs and uncertainty around rainfall, Jackie outlines strategies to help growers make sound decisions.

Episode Links:

• Crop Sowing Guide
• Potential yield tool
• Rainfall to date tool
• Soil water tool
• WA crop sequence calculator
• Canola seeding rate calculator

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy and Janette are joined by Dr Dion Nicol to explore practical strategies for nitrogen management across the WA grainbelt.

Dion outlines how growers can approach pre-season planning and adapt in-season decisions to improve returns, with a focus on allocating nitrogen where it is most likely to deliver yield and gross margin benefits. He also emphasises the importance of continually reassessing cost–benefit as conditions change, and how timely follow-up applications can be used to respond to the season as it unfolds.

Episode Links:

Click here to access the Rainfall to Date tool.

Click here to access the Potential Yield tool.

Click here to access the Soil Water tool.