Grains Convo

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speakers: DPIRD research scientist Jeremy Curry and senior research scientist Jean Galloway

In this episode of Grains Convo, DPIRD research scientist Jeremey Curry and senior reserach scientist Jean Galloway join Cindy Webster to talk about their respective research relating  to canola.

Jeremys discusses a three-year study he conducted into canola in the high rainfall zone, looking at addressing the gap between potential and realised yield, as well as optimising macronutrient inputs to determine the most profitable and productive strategies.

Jean chats about the three decision support tools created by DPIRD to help growers with on-farm management of blackleg and sclerotinia in canola.

Episode Links:
Click here to access the BlacklegCM app.
Click here to access the UCI BlacklegCM app.
Click here to access the SclerotiniaCM app.

For more information on canola in the high rainfall zone, please contact:
Jeremy Curry - [email protected]

Host: DPIRD research agronomist Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD research scientist Dr Stephen Davies, CSIRO chief research scientist Dr Greg Rebetzke and SLR Agriculture agronomist Michael Lamond

In this episode of Grains Convo, DPIRD research scientist Dr Stephen Davies, CSIRO chief research scientist Dr Greg Rebetzke and SLR Agriculture agronomist Michael Lamond join Janette Pratt to chat about long coleoptile wheats.

Greg talks about what long coleoptile wheats are, why they're being developed and what research and trials have been done over the past few years.

Stephen discusses a DPIRD project he is leading to look at long coleoptile wheats for improved establishment, weed competitiveness and productivity on ameliorated soils. As well, as as further national project which will be taking that research to the next level.

Michael tells us about the fit of long coleoptile wheat for WA growers, including the opportunities and adaptations in shifting climates and landscapes.

Episode Links:
Click here for information about Dr Davies long coleoptile wheat project.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist Craig Scanlan and CSBP Research Agronomist James Easton

In this episode of Grains Convo, DPIRD Research Scientist Craig Scanlan and CSBP Research Agronomist James Easton join Cindy Webster to chat about soil testing.

James details the importance of knowing what the nutrient levels are within the soil profile, as well as the best tips and tricks to attain the best possible soil samples.

Craig talks about a project he has been working on to increase profit from N, P, and K fertiliser inputs, with the research giving growers knowledge about what factors have the greatest influence on yield response to fertiliser.

The project is supported by a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) co-investment and includes collaboration with SoilsWest, Murdoch University, The University of Western Australia, CSBP and Summit Fertilisers.

Episode Links:
Click here for information about soil sampling and testing.
Click here for information about the N, P, K project.

Craig Scanlan will be presenting some of the findings from his project at the GRDC Research Updates in Perth on February 27.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientists Alex Douglas and Dr Harmohinder Dhammu 

In this episode of Grains Convo DPIRD Research scientist Alex Douglas summarises the major weed trends of 2022 for the WA grainbelt and potential summer weeds for 2023.

Research Scientist Dr Harmohinder Dhammu talks about initial findings from a DPIRD research project that is investigating glyphosate alternative herbicides for summer and pre-seeding knockdown weed control.

This podcast was recorded during harvest in December 2022.

Episode Links:
Click here for information about controlling the green bridge for pest and disease management.
Click here for information about summer weeds and how to manage them.

An extensive abstract on the Glyphosate alternative herbicide trial findings will be published by Dr Dhammu after his presentation at the 2023 GRDC Grains Research Updates in February 2023. Watch this space!

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Janette Pratt
Guest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientists Geoff Thomas and Andrea Hills

In this episode of Grains Convo, DPIRD Research Scientists Geoff Thomas and Andrea Hills discuss the crops diseases that were seen in the WA grainbelt in 2022. They also talk about the implications for the coming season and how to prepare and manage these diseases before seeding in 2023.

Episode Links:
Click here for information about controlling the green bridge for pest and disease management.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster
Guest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientists Svetlana Micic and Dr Benjamin Congdon

In this episode of Grains Convo, DPIRD Research Scientists Svetlana Micic and Dr Benjamin Congdon talk about the problematic broadacre pests (and associated viruses) experienced in the WA grainbelt in 2022.  They identify the pests and viruses that are likely to be problematic in 2023 and discuss how to prepare for and manage these before seeding. The potential impact of a summer green bridge on 2023 pest and virus activity is also addressed. 

Episode links:
Click here to view pest and plant viruses reported to DPIRD’s PestFacts WA service in 2022.
Click here for information about controlling the green bridge for pest and disease management.

Host: DPIRD research agronomist, Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD research scientist, Miranda Slaven

In this episode of Grains convo we talk about electric weed control which has been trialled in Australia for the first time by DPIRD in a collaboration with WALGA, AGXTEND Europe, GRDC, Wine Australia and the Cotton Research and Development corporation (CRDC).

DPIRD research officer Miranda Slaven discusses how electric weed control works, what the benefits are and the early results from trials in 2022.

Episode Links:
Positive start to electric weed control trials

Host: DPIRD Research Scientist, Alice Butler
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist, Dr Balwinder Singh

To celebrate World Soil Day on December 5, Alice Butler interviews Dr Balwinder Singh, an Agronomist and Simulation Modeler Scientist working at DPIRD.

Dr Singh  discusses his background, what lead him to a career in agriculture and his pathway to DPIRD.

He is currently using modern research tools, like crop simulation models, to evaluate WA soils and agricultural systems for future challenges.

The outcome of his research will help farmers better understand the constraints for increasing productivity and profitability in WA farming systems and provide potential strategies to address them. 

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist, Brenda Shackley

In this episode of Grains Convo we discuss the recently released 2023 WA Crop Sowing Guide. This annual publication, compiled by DPIRD officers, is a one stop shop for information on varieties for all the major crops grown in WA.

The 2023 guide features information on 31 new variety releases, alongside the latest industry developments.

Episode Links:
Click here to download or order the 2023 WA Crop Sowing Guide.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Janette Pratt
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Officer, Glen Riethmuller

In this episode of Grains Convo we talk about minimising grain losses at harvest through harvester setup.

DPIRD Research Officer Glen Riethmuller discusses how much grain is lost at harvest, where most of the grain is being lost and setting up harvesters to minimise these losses.