Fusarium crown rot in cereals is often associated with a tough finish, but the characteristic whiteheads are far from the full picture. It’s a significant disease with hidden yield impacts even in a good year, so pro-active management at pre-sowing is a must. 

In this podcast, senior researcher with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Dr Steven Simpfendorfer shares the latest research and advice to reduce disease impacts. Then, Riverine Plain’s Kate Coffey shares why the Riverine Plain’s area is surprisingly susceptible to the disease and local grower, Lee Menhenett, shares his experience managing the disease on-farm.

Contact 

Dr Steven Simpfendorfer 

Senior researcher, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 

[email protected] 

Kate Coffey 

Senior project manager, Riverine Plains 

[email protected]  

More information 

GRDC investment code 

RPI2309-002SAX 

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New precision weed management technologies are helping Australian grain growers to more effectively target weeds and ultimately reduce their total herbicide costs. 

Optical sensors as well as ‘remote and sensor’ weed mapping systems are becoming more widely available, and that’s why GRDC is investing in a series of case studies to explore the benefits and costs related to these technologies. 

In this podcast we look at a new system developed out of necessity by the Single family in New South Wales and we also hear from Wade Bistrup, a Queensland grower who has been experimenting with this technology. 

Watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ3hyVg3Fv0 

Contact:

Ben Single, Single Ag  

[email protected] 

More  Information:

Single Ag  

Project Code: SRE2310-001SAX 

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This is a test only.

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The National Variety Trials (NVT) Program was established by GRDC in 2005 and since then it has evolved into the largest coordinated variety trial network in the world. Each year, more than 640 trials are conducted across over 300 locations nationwide, encompassing 10 different crop species. 

This year marks the 20-year anniversary of NVT – a great time to reflect on the evolution and success of the program. In this podcast we speak to prominent plant breeder and former GRDC managing director, Dr Steve Jefferies about the value of the NVT to growers and breeding companies. 

Contact

[email protected] 

More  Information

GroundCover Supplement - Celebrating 20 years of NVT

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Victorian agricultural consultant, Cam Nicholson, has had a career spanning more than four decades – and over the years he’s learned a lot but mostly he spends his time passing on his knowledge to others. 

And that’s one of the reasons Cam has received this year’s GRDC “Seed of Light Award” in the south, which recognises the outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment of individuals to communicating research outcomes to people working in the grains industry. We caught up with Cam to discuss the importance of head, heart and gut when it comes to decision making and see if he has any tips or advice for up-and-coming agronomists. 

Contact

Cam Nicholson 

[email protected] 

0417 311 098 

More Information

Victorian agronomist and scientist each win grains award

GRDC awards

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Rhizoctonia is an important disease of cereals in southern and western growing regions, especially in low rainfall areas. Losses have been estimated at about $15 per hectare for wheat and $12 per hectare for barley in the southern region. 

Unfortunately, fungicide control of rhizoctonia has proven to be difficult, often with mixed results with seed treatments.  

In February 2025, we sat down with Blake Gontar from the South Australian Research and Development Institute to talk about a previous GRDC investment that showed streaming fungicide above and below the seed was an effective way to protect cereals from rhizoctonia and get the greatest yield responses. 

Contact

Blake Gontar, SARDI 

[email protected]

More information

Fungicide control of Rhizoctonia 

South Australian cereal root disease update

Project Code

DAS00125

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With the ever-increasing cost of farming, getting bang for your herbicide buck is an important consideration when it comes to chemical handling and sprayer set-up. 

In this podcast Victorian grower, Richard Stecher, shares his experience with getting professional advice on correct sprayer set-up. We also hear from Nutrien Ag agronomist, Chris Dunn, who shares his thoughts on how agronomists and growers can get good advice on chemical usage.  

Contact 

Chris Dunn 

Agronomist, Nutrien Ag 

[email protected] 

More information 

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More is not always better when it comes to adding nitrogen (N) to your irrigated wheat crop. That's one of the key messages from a GRDC investment that’s been set up to investigate profitable, irrigated farming systems.  

In this podcast, FAR Australia Managing Director, Nick Poole, Pinion Advisory senior consultant, Brendan Wallace and Francis grower, Wayne Hawkins, share some surprising findings from focus paddock trials as well as some insights on how to get the most out of applied N under irrigation for a range of crop types. 

This research is part of the GRDC investment, “Facilitated action learning groups to support profitable irrigated farming systems in the northern and southern regions.” 

*Note: this podcast was recorded in July 2023  

Contact 

Nick Poole, FAR Australia 

[email protected]

GRDC investment code 

ICF1906-002RTX 

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A major farming systems initiative, spanning five years, is underway in the low and medium-rainfall regions of Western Australia.  

Its aim is to support growers in navigating evolving climatic conditions, enabling them to make informed business and agronomic choices to bolster both on-farm profitability and sustainability. 

In this episode, we get an overview of the results from the first two-seasons of the project from grower and trial host Kevin Naisbitt and DPIRD’s Martin Harries. 

Contact

Martin Harries 

DPIRD 

[email protected] 

Kevin Naisbitt 

Grower

[email protected]

More information

New farming systems project for WA grain growers 

Comprehensive strategies to enhance western farming systems 

Improving farming system profitability, management of greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilience in the low and medium rainfall zones of WA: Grower Perspectives 

Western Australian Farming Systems project 

Project Codes

DAW2204-003RTX 

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Both yield and performance rely heavily on good crop establishment, which is why GRDC is investing in a range of projects to determine the key factors affecting crop establishment. Getting crops established in hot, dry conditions is the focus of this research, which also looks at soil textures and deep sowing across multiple environments. In this podcast we speak to CSIRO farming systems researcher, Dr Kenton Porker, who provided an update on the current learnings and advancements in crop establishment.  

Contact

[email protected] 

More Information

Crop establishment and precision planting

Project Codes

CSP2212-005RTX,CSP2212-007RTX,CSP2303-017BGX,CSP2307-002RTX

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