Grains Convo

Host: DPIRD Research Scientist, Alice Butler
Guest Speaker: DPIRD  Agricultural Scientist,  Mandy Curnow

Mandy Curnow is an Agricultural Scientist with DPIRD, based in Albany. She has worked on various livestock research and Landcare projects throughout her career. 

More recently Mandy has focused her research on greenhouse gas accounting for mixed farming enterprises.

In this podcast you'll learn how carbon emissions are calculated, and how to create a carbon account for a farming business.

Mandy also provides an overview of the work she is undertaking at the Katanning Research Facility to meet a 2030 carbon neutral target.

Episode links:
There are a number of online tools to available via the DPIRD website to assist landholders to begin the process of calculating on-farm carbon emissions.

Contact Mandy Curnow:
M. 0429 082 755
E. [email protected]

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Janette Pratt
Guest Speakers: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster

DPIRD Research Agronomist Cindy Webster discusses the recently renamed PestFacts WA service. Previously known as the PestFax service, this interactive service provides timely information and advice on pests and diseases threatening crops and pastures throughout the grainbelt. PestFacts WA is upgrading their reporting app and map and will deliver various tools (e-newsletter, insecticide spray guides, webinars, free pest and disease diagnoses, identification training events and more) for WA growers and consultants throughout the growing season.

PestFacts WA operates under the IPMforGrains project which is delivered by the National Pest Information Network (Cesar Australia, DPIRD, QDAF, NSW DPI, and SARDI). It aims to provide grain growers and advisors with information on invertebrate grain pest occurrence and equip industry with the knowledge needed to implement integrated pest management practices. This initiative is a GRDC investment and includes in-kind contributions from all project partner organisations. 

Episode Link:
To learn more about the PestFacts WA service click here .
To subscribe to the PestFacts WA e-newsletter email [email protected] .

Contact Cindy Webster:
P. +61 (0) 9881 0201.
M. 0404 819 534
E. [email protected] 

Host: DPIRD Research Scientist, Alice Butler
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Senior Soils Research Scientist, David Hall

In this podcast DPIRD Research Scientist Alice Butler chats with DPIRD Senior Soils Research Scientist David Hall about how sodic soils are formed and the different management options for these soils.

David currently leads up the Sodic Soils project, funded by GRDC, where he and his team are trialling everything from gypsum applications, ripping, organic amendments and mulching to increase soil stability and ultimately lead to better water infiltration and crop growth.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster
Guest Speakers: DPIRD Research Scientist, Svetlana Micic

 DPIRD Research Scientist Svetlana Micic discusses the importance of correctly diagnosing snails, their impact on crops and the importance of managing snails before they lay their eggs. Egg laying can occur anytime from mid-March to mid-April depending on rainfall. 

 Episode Link:
 DPIRD’s Identification and control of pest slugs and snails for broadacre crops in Western Australia

 Contact Svetlana Micic:
 P. +61 (0) 9892 8591.
 M. 0427 772 051
 E. [email protected] 

In this podcast, Alice Butler speaks with Steve Davies about his pathway to becoming a Senior Research Scientist working on soils in Geraldton, and what inspired his career in this field.

Steve explains his understanding of water repellence on sands versus gravels and discusses the new SoilsWest eBook, Soil Water Repellence, that he contributed to.

Steve currently works on the Post Amelioration Project, co-invested by DRIRD and GRDC, which focuses on minimising risks when undertaking strategic tillage and ensuring longevity of soil amelioration benefits.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Janette Pratt
Guest Speakers: DPIRD Epidemiologist Jean Galloway and  Entomologist Dusty Severtson.

In this episode you'll learn about important early warnings for diseases and insects, and the new technologies that are being researched to aid in crop monitoring. We also discuss why it's necessary to monitor crops and identify some key resources to learn more about crop diseases and insects.

Host: GGA Grains Research, Development and Extension Communications Manager, Amber Atkinson
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Senior Research Scientist, Mark Seymour

In this episode DPIRD Senior Research Scientist, Mark Seymour, explains the work he’s doing with chickpea crops. If you’ve been considering growing chickpeas, Mark offers some expert advice on soil types, treating the seed with fungicide and weed control.

Host: DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Research Scientist, Sarah Collins

DPIRD Research Agronomist, Cindy Webster provides an informative overview of Root lesion nematodes (RLN) and their impact on crops and pastures. In this episode you'll learn about the effect a green bridge will have on RLN for season 2022 and key management strategies.

Host: Grains Research, Development and Extension Communications Manager, Amber Atkinson
Guest Speaker:  DPIRD Research Scientist, Jeremy Curry

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a common quality constraint of wheat that can result in downgrading of grain quality upon receival. In WA, the falling number test is conducted at receival sites where suspected pre-harvest sprouting damage has occurred, determined by detection of visually sprouted grains. In this episode DPIRD research scientist Jeremy Curry explains pre harvest sprouting and discusses the research he is doing in this area. Learn about his findings to date and the advice he has for WA growers.

For more information on pre harvest sprouting click here. 
You can reach Jeremy on 
P. +61 (0)8 9083 1160
M. 0403 789 505
E. [email protected]

Host: DPIRD Research Scientist Information Delivery, Alice Butler
Guest Speaker: DPIRD Portfolio Manager, Soil Science & Crop Nutrition, Chris Gazey

 December 5, 2021 is World Soil Day and to celebrate, we invited DPIRD’s Soil Science and Crop Nutrition Manager Chris Gazey to the podcast.

 With more than 40 years’ industry experience, Chris reflects on some of the milestone findings throughout his career and where his team of 35 staff are currently devoting their resources.

 No matter the soil type or individual constraints, Chris has been dedicated to finding techniques and solutions to see Western Australian grain growers maximise productivity, water and nutrient use efficiency.

 In this episode you’ll learn about strategic soil renovation and the key learnings from comparison work done on soil acidity, from 2004/2006 and 2010/2012. 

 Chris also provides insight into plans for funding from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation towards further soil sampling in the central wheatbelt.

 If you’re interested in soil, this episode is a must listen. 

Episode Links:
Visit the iLime webpage here: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/apps/ilime