GRDC Podcast

🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Tony Lockrey

Tony Lockrey is both a farmer and agronomist based in the farming community of Moree, New South Wales. Tony's contributions extend beyond aiding farmers with their cropping programs; he has emerged as a prominent figure in fostering safe spaces and facilitating important conversations. In this GRDC in Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Tony discusses farming practises and cropping rotations in the area, his career path in agronomy and farming, innovation and sustainability, mentorships, importance of community and connection, fostering relationships, religion, legacy and a near-death experience in a helicopter accident.

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Join the conversation visually and see our reactions on the video podcast on YouTube

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 Code: HAG2308-001SAX

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Precision agriculture has been around for a while and it's meant to make a difference for the better, but does it always? In this episode we’re joined by two growers in similar parts of South Australia who have different takes on the value of precision ag or PA. James Venning, near Bute, has continually experimented with everything from variable-rate seeders to protein monitors. Nearby at Crystal Brook, Andrew Sargent's family were early adopters of precision ag.

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James Venning   

Bute grower 

[email protected]

Andrew Sargent 

Crystal Brook grower 

[email protected]

GroundCover – What value can precision ag tools bring to your business?

GroundCover – New SPAA manual brings grower insight to precision ag

GRDC Code: SPA2201-001SAX

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with John Hamparsum  

John Hamparsum farms on black soil plains near Gunnedah, New South Wales, in partnership with his sister. His father purchased the property from a soldier-settler in 1961 and it is now 1500 hectares of mostly irrigated land. In this GRDC in Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, John discusses his family history, the challenging period and learnings following his fathers passing, sustainable farming practices, soil health, business and emotional implications from adversity and mental health support through fishing. 

Download the transcript for this episode

Join the conversation visually and see our reactions on the video podcast on YouTube

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 Code: HAG2308-001SAX

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Research into snails over the past decade has largely focussed on baiting and while a lot has been learned, baiting is only one part of an effective integrated management strategy for snails. 

That's why a new national GRDC investment is tackling the snail problem from multiple angles by combining technology and biological research to inform control management. 

The project is being led by the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Research and Development Institute or SARDI, and involves setting up cameras in paddocks to track snail movements and migration habits, while for biological control, a parasatoid fly has been released in WA for the first time to help suppress conical snails.

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact:

Kim Perry, SARDI

[email protected]

Stirlings to Coast Farmers

[email protected]

SEPWA

[email protected]

More information:

GroundCover – Multifaceted approach to combat snails in grain crops

GRDC Code: UOA2205-005RTX

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Matthew Durack

Matthew Durack started his career as a Veterinarian, but always wanted to try his hand at farming. When he was offered the management position on a property near Moree, New South Wales, he jumped at the opportunity and has been addicted ever since. In this GRDC in Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Matthew discusses decision making and learnings throughout his career, water-use efficiency, challenges and opportunities in the grains industry, supply chain transparency and vertical integration and empowering the next generation.

Download the transcript for this episode

Join the conversation visually and see our reactions on the video podcast on YouTube

GRDC Code: HAG2308-001SAX

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.

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What are the reasons to use fallow in rotations and just what is the economic value of this farming practice? These are just some of the questions asked by growers in the west – questions that are now being answered by a current GRDC investment - Maximising the profitability of fallow. Dr Darren Hughes from Laconik – is leading this investment – and has some advice for growers on how to get the most out of fallow.

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact

Dr Darren Hughes

[email protected]

GRDC Code: LAK2301-001SAX

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Ben taylor.  

Ben Taylor returned to the family farm near Condamine in 2000. They operate a structured cropping program in their broadacre operation and have some irrigated country. In the last ~20 years, they have invested heavily in a levelling program to mitigate the impact of Summer storms on their dryland country. In this GRDC In Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Ben discusses their long-term farming decisions and investment, managing a team and staff, learnings from farming culture in Canada, prioritising work-life balance and his role in establishing a grower group in his farming community. 

Download the transcript for this episode

More information

Join the conversation visually and see our reactions on the video podcast on YouTube

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.  

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The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a dry start to Western Australia's 2024 growing season.

It's a prediction that’s seeing many growers kick into gear early with dry seeding. But without the knock down herbicide opportunity, growers are relying heavily on their pre-emergent herbicide choice to remove weeds from the system after the breaking rain.

In this podcast, we hear from consultant Blake O’Meagher and research agronomist Dr Mike Ashworth on their recommendations to growers and the latest pre-emergent herbicide degradation research.

Download the transcript for this episode

Contacts

Dr Mike Ashworth

AHRI, University of Western Australia

[email protected]

Blake O’Meagher

Farmanco Consultants

[email protected]

More information

GroundCover – Spotlight on pre-emergent herbicides for early sown wheat

GRDC Paddock Practice – Dry sowing and pre-emergent herbicides

GRDC code: UOA1711-005RTX

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Stuart and Lyndall Tighe

Stuart and Lyndall Tighe found home farming in Moree, New South Wales. They built their farming scale through share-farming, contracting and more recently a direct to customer business model. In this GRDC in Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Stuart and Lyndall Tighe discuss their backgrounds, supply chain optimisation and farming models, business ownership and growth, developing a product their customer cares about, mindset and dedication to business and ideas around sustainability and carbon.

Download the transcript for this episode

More information:

Join the conversation visually and see our reactions on the video podcast on YouTube

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.

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A cohort of Legume Leaders has been established by the Grower Group Alliance in Western Australia, with investment from GRDC and the help of grower groups located from Yuna to Esperance. The Legume Leaders will be sharing their insights over a seven-part series, which will be released throughout 2024.

In this introductory episode, we’re joined by GGA project manager Daniel Kidd and DPIRD senior research scientist Mark Seymour to discuss the benefits and constraints to adoption of grain legumes in the farming system, as well as the overall aims and outputs of the project.

Download the transcript for this episode.

Contacts:

Daniel Kidd

Grower Group Alliance

[email protected]

Mark Seymour

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

[email protected]

More information:        

Grower Group Alliance – Closing the economic yield gap of grain legumes in WA

WA 'Legume Leaders' Gallery

GRDC Code: GGA2110-002SAX

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