GRDC Podcast

Welcome to GRDC’s National Variety Trials (NVT) new variety podcast series, where Australia's leading breeding companies share their latest releases for the 2027 growing season.

This podcast focuses on wheat. There is a separate podcast that focuses on barley, canola, chickpea, faba bean, field pea and lentil.

The NVT program is completely independent, funded and managed by GRDC to provide growers with trusted information to assist in variety choice. Note that seasonal conditions can have a more variable impact on variety performance than geographical location. For this reason, choose a variety with an established track record of at least two years of NVT performance data. The risks associated with choosing an untested variety are greater than sticking with one that has a proven track record. Always ask to see the official NVT results when talking to your seed seller.

Contacts:         

- Australian Grain Technologies (AGT)

- InterGrain

- LongReach Plant Breeders

More Information:  

You can find out more information about the varieties featured in this podcast at www.nvt.grdc.com.au, alongside individual breeder websites.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to GRDC’s National Variety Trials (NVT) new variety podcast series, where Australia's leading breeding companies share their latest releases for the 2027 growing season.

This podcast focuses on barley, canola, chickpea, faba bean, field pea and lentil. There is a separate podcast that focuses on wheat.

The NVT program is completely independent, funded and managed by GRDC to provide growers with trusted information to assist in variety choice. Note that seasonal conditions can have a more variable impact on variety performance than geographical location. For this reason, choose a variety with an established track record of at least two years of NVT performance data. The risks associated with choosing an untested variety are greater than sticking with one that has a proven track record. Always ask to see the official NVT results when talking to your seed seller.

Contacts:

· Australian Grain & Forage Seeds (AGF Seeds)      

· Australian Grain Technologies (AGT)

· Nufarm Seeds

· BASF Australia

· Advanta Seeds Pty Ltd

· AgriVentis Technologies

· AdelaideUniversity

· Agriculture Victoria

· Grains Innovation Australia

More Information:  

You can find out more information about the varieties

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Conway grew up surrounded by agriculture, machinery and problem-solving, watching his family business evolve from a small operation run out of a garage into a nationally recognised grain storage technology company. What began as helping program aeration controllers and fit GPS guidance systems as a kid has turned into a career combining agricultural engineering, grain storage extension and a passion for helping growers better manage risk and protect grain quality. Today, Alex balances his role at Control Unlimited with his work on GRDC’s Grain Storage Extension team, supporting growers across Australia through workshops, industry events and practical on-farm advice.

In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, Alex reflects on the experiences that shaped his pathway into agriculture - from harvesting across Australia and Canada to discovering a fascination with grain storage systems, monitoring technology and the evolving challenges facing growers. He shares insights into the importance of saying yes to opportunities, documenting lessons along the way and building a career by following curiosity rather than a perfectly mapped-out plan.

This episode explores:

- How Alex’s upbringing around machinery, technology and farming shaped his passion for agriculture

- The evolution of the Conway family business, Control Unlimited, from a home garage startup to a national agtechnology company

- Why grain storage became an unexpected but rewarding career pathway

- Lessons learned from harvesting across Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania and Canada

- How international farming experiences exposed Alex to new approaches in grain handling, drying and monitoring systems

- The growing importance of on-farm grain storage in Australian agriculture

- Why curiosity, adaptability and “having a crack” have been central to Alex’s career journey

- How documenting experiences and reflecting on lessons helped reveal long-term passions and career direction

- The role of technology and engineering in improving grain quality, efficiency and decision-making

- Why supporting growers with practical, relevant solutions remains at the heart of the work Alex does today

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube

More information

Alex Conway, Control Unlimited https://www.grainaeration.com.au/

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grower-stories/northern/two-young-guns-take-over-from-guru-of-grain-storage

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2025/11/managing-grain-quality-in-storage

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.

GRDC Project Code

HAG2507-001SAX https://grdc.com.au/grdc-investments/investments/investment?code=HAG2507-001SAX

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Young agronomists Anne Millar and Lachie Biglin share how the TRAIL Emerging Leaders program changed the way they think about leadership, relationships and their own potential. From hiking and camping without phones to honest conversations, journaling and building a nationwide network, both participants discovered that leadership isn't about having one particular style — it's about understanding yourself, recognising others and finding your own way to make an impact.

Contacts:            

Anne Millar

Elders

[email protected]

Lachlan Biglin

Nutrien Ag Solutions

[email protected]

More information:        

https://programs.rural-leaders.org.au/trail-grdc-application

https://rural-leaders.org.au/trail-emerging-leaders-program/

Project/Investment Code:  

ARL2607-001FAX

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Queensland Department of Primary Industries extension officer Henry Baskerville in Toowoomba to unpack the role of extension, soil health and decision making in modern grain farming. 

Although Henry didn’t grow up on a farm, a passion for agriculture, soils and working outdoors led him into the grains industry and eventually into extension. From travelling across Queensland collecting soil samples to working alongside growers on-farm, Henry shares why helping people make better decisions and being part of the learning process is what drives his work. 

The conversation explores grower-led research, soil health challenges, RiskWi$e and how farmers approach risk and decision making. Henry also dives into the future of ag tech, AI, robotics and “digital twins”, while reflecting on why the people in agriculture are what keep him passionate about the industry. 

This episode explores:

- How Henry’s pathway from wildlife science and dairy farming led him into the grains industry and extension 

- Why soil health has become such an important focus across Australian grain growing systems 

- The role of extension officers in connecting growers, researchers and practical on-farm outcomes 

- Why grower-led research and participation creates stronger learning and adoption 

- The importance of collaboration between researchers and growers when designing projects and trials 

- How RiskWi$e is helping growers better understand risk, reward and decision making 

- The hidden complexity behind grower decision making around inputs like nitrogen 

- Why growers often balance profitability with environmental outcomes and long-term soil health 

- The growing role of ag technology, satellite imagery and mapping tools in agriculture 

- How AI, robotics and digital twins could shape the future of farming 

 - Why technology needs to focus on practical decision making rather than just producing more data 

- The value of curiosity, adaptability and learning through doing in agriculture 

- Why the people in agriculture are what continue to drive Henry’s passion for the industry 

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube

https://youtu.be/9ohft-UmPCw

More information 

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/agronomy/soil-and-nutrition/riskwi$e-road-tour 

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. 

GRDC Project Code:

HAG2507-001SAX

https://grdc.com.au/grdc-investments/investments/investment?code=HAG2507-001SAX

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pigeon pea, a mainstay crop grown in India, is now being touted as an alternative summer crop for southern Queensland and northern New South Wales as its hardiness to adverse weather conditions is one of its favoured features. GRDC, Woods Seeds and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries have been running trials over several years around the Toowoomba region with Principal Research Scientist Bruce Winter and Angus Woods of Wood Seeds leading the charge. 

Contacts:     

Angus Woods

Woods Seeds

[email protected]

Bruce Winter

Queensland DPI  

[email protected]

More Information:     

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2026/03/pigeonpea-agronomy,-performance-and-system-fit

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2025/08/field-trials-confirm-the-potential-of-pigeonpea-as-a-summer-pulse-crop-for-the-northern-region

https://grdc.com.au/events/past-events/2024/07/grdc-grains-research-update-goondiwindi

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2025/11/pigeonpea-for-central-qld-agronomy-performance-and-system-fit

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/golden-opportunity-for-the-norths-hot-and-dry-spots

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/new-broadacre-summer-pulse-crop-for-queensland-and-northern-nsw

Project Code: 

DAQ2511-004RTX

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gravel and sand mulches are being tested to improve crop emergence in areas affected by challenging soil conditions, including non-wetting soils, waterlogging and salinity with some unexpected results. Ella Shaylor from SLR Agriculture explains how surface mulches can help conserve soil moisture, reduce evaporation and limit the movement of salts towards the soil surface. Local grower Jake Latham shares his experience with persistent patches where crops have struggled to germinate year after year. While gravel has performed well in previous trials, sand mulch is showing particularly promising results— raising new questions about how and why the treatment is working.

This podcast is part of a 6-part GRDC series looking at managing soil constraints in Western Australia. The project adopting innovative solutions for challenging soils is a GRDC investment led by SLR Agriculture.

Contacts:

Ella Shaylor

SLR Agriculture

[email protected]

Jake Latham

Grower

[email protected]

More Information: 

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2026/02/gravel-mulch-improves-cereal-yield-and-water-use-efficiency-on-alkaline-sodic-soils-in-the-eastern-wheatbelt-of-wa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPqOC5zbwC8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foExvBXRFjo 

Project/Investment Codes:

PLT2409-001SAX

SLR25002-001SAX

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Farm automation adoption isn’t just about technology - it depends on people. Dealers are essential in building trust, proving value in local conditions, and supporting farmers through training, service, and confidence-building. Andrew Speed has spent a lifetime in the grains industry and knows first hand not just the frustration of when technology doesn’t hit the mark, but the jubilation when it does. Now working in the precision ag team at RDO Equipment, he joins Conor McGuckian from eastern Australia’s Boekeman Machinery in a frank conversation around how growers can work with their machinery dealers to move towards an autonomous business. This GRDC podcast series is led by the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia as part of the GRDC Grain Automate Initiative.

Contacts:   

Conor McGuckian

Boekeman Machinery

[email protected]

Andrew Speed

RDO Equipment

[email protected]

More Information:

Grain Automate website

Major initiative: Grain AutomateGrain automate project round up

Momentum builds for on-farm task automation

GRDC invests $35M to drive machine automation and intelligent technology for grain growers

Grain Automate webinar: getting automation farm-ready

SPAA webinar: Paving the way for on-farm autonomy

The latest in ag tech comes to grain

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weeds can be especially challenging in High Rainfall Zones, where favourable growing conditions can drive significant weed pressure. Agronomists Luke Wilkins and Candice Robinson share their insights about proactive weed management strategies for tough seasons, including crop competition, herbicide rotation, harvest weed seed control and emerging technologies. They also discuss changing rainfall patterns, paraquat restrictions, brome grass and the role of research in developing future weed control options.

Contacts:   

Luke Wilkins

Bawdens Rural Trading

[email protected]

Candice Robinson

Seftons

[email protected]

Project/Investment Code:

SPP2502-001SAX

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GRDC investment ‘improving surface and subsurface water management across the medium and high rainfall zones of Australia’ is investigating the benefits and challenges of different drainage options across different production regions, cropping systems and soil types. Grower Jeremy Whyte and agronomist Quenten Knight discuss how landforming uses natural and constructed gradients to assist excess water to flow off paddocks, thereby reducing ponding and waterlogging, and increasing yields. This podcast is part of a 6-part GRDC series on managing soil constraints in Western Australia.

Contact:  

Jeremy Whyte

Warakirri Cropping

[email protected]

Quenten Knight

Agronomy Focus

[email protected]

More Information:

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/announcements/drainage-that-delivers-new-tools-for-profitable-water-management

Project Code:

PAP2510-001RTX

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices