Grains Convo

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 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Senior Research Scientist (Climate) Meredith Guthrie and the Bureau of Meteorology Senior Meteorologist, Jonathan How.

In this episode of Grains Convo, Janette Pratt hosts DPIRD Senior Research Scientist (Climate) Meredith Guthrie and the Bureau of Meteorology Senior Meteorologist, Jonathan How.

Meredith goes through the latest seasonal climate outlook for 2024 and what’s in store for the South West Land Division from April to June. 

Jonathan then delves into what the Weather Bureau's ACCESS-S model is is predicting for the season, as well the times of the year predictions are more accurate/inaccurate than others. 

Episode Links:
Click here to read and subscribe to DPIRD's Seasonal Climate Outlook
Click here to access DPIRD's Extreme weather events tool
Click here to discover more about the Bureau of Meteorology ACCESS-S Model 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist and wheat commodity lead, Dr Dion Nicol

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts DPIRD Research Scientist Dr Dion Nicol. Dion goes through the reasons why heat stress is a constraint to wheat yield potential, and shares insights into the ways to mitigate the impacts of heat stress. 

Dion then delves into the advantages and disadvantages of sowing early. 

Episode Links:
Click here to read more about project Increasing wheat yield and yield stability through improved heat tolerance during grain filling
Click here to read media release Heat tolerance research to deliver improved wheat varieties 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Development Officer for Regional Intelligence and Adoption in the Farming Systems Innovation directorate, Natalie Pearce. 

In this episode of Grains Convo, Janette Pratt hosts DPIRD Development Officer for Regional Intelligence and Adoption, Natalie Pearce. Nat goes through some of the unique challenges that come with the WA landscape in the winter growing season, as well as a current rainfall outlook for the WA grainbelt. 

Nat shares support services available to assist growers in WA who are, and have been, experiencing challenging situations.

Episode Links:
Click here to access DPIRD's Season 2024: Information for WA farmers

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speakers: DPIRD Principal Research Scientist Dr Gaus Azam

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts DPIRD Principal Research Scientist Dr Gaus Azam. He goes through the necessity of liming acidic soil after harvest, and some of the unique benefits and challenges. 

Gaus more specifically explores the agronomic and operational benefits of delaying until after harvest, and shares a success story/case study where liming had a significant positive impact on crop yields and soil health.

Episode Links:
Click here to listen to the Grains Podcast 'How does liming change soil acidity over 20 years?'
Click here to read Agric article on applying lime
Click here to read DPIRD Media Release 'Visionary soil reengineering research redefining grains yield potential for WA soils.'

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientist Amanuel Bekuma 

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts DPIRD Research Scientist Amanuel Bekuma, as they go through an overview of DPIRD's research being showcased at the Grains Research Updates 2024 (GRU 24')

Amanuel shares his insights into managing Ice Nucleating Bacteria to mitigate frost damage in crops, while sharing success in DPIRD's work in developing new protocols for rapidly testing chemicals that reduce frost damage.

Amanuel also delves into why it's so important this research is being presented on the GRU 24' stage. 

Episode Links:
Click here to read DPIRD media release 'Bacteria the key to cool new frost research'
Click here to read Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC) research paper 'Stubble and senesced leaves are the main sources of ice nucleation activity in wheat' 

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientist Alex Douglas and DPIRD Research Scientist Dr Arslan Peerzada 

In this episode of Grains Convo, Cindy Webster hosts DPIRD Research Scientist Alex Douglas and DPIRD Research Scientist Dr Arslan Peerzada, as they go through an overview of the biology of weeds and what growers can expect in the 2024 season as the biggest threats to agricultural production. 

Alex takes a look back at the 2023 season, and the various weeds growers can expect  to emerge in the upcoming season.

While Arslan delves into what farmers should be focusing on for effective weed management throughout the 2024 season, and how to make the most out of soil amelioration. 

Episode Links:
Click here to read Agric article on about Pre-emergent herbicides
Click here to read media release 'Research focus on weed management for ameliorated soils'
Click here to read Agric article on Improving control of summer weeds
Click here to read GrainsConvo newsletter article 'Investigating the effects of soil amelioration on weed management in WA's wheatbelt