GRDC Podcast

Across the country, many growers have not had much of a break between harvest and this season's operations… and this comes on top of a tough couple of years that included the unpredictability of mother nature, as well as a global pandemic. This podcast explores strategies for maintaining a healthy mindset while under pressure. We spoke to Kim Huckerby from ‘The Wellbeing Affect’ who shares practical advice and steps that everyone can take.

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact:

Kim Huckerby

The Wellbeing Affect 

[email protected]

More Information:

The Wellbeing Affect

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with James Hunt.

James Hunt is a Professor of agronomy at the University of Melbourne, but his journey there was interesting and included touring Europe as part of a heavy metal rock band and some home brewing detours. He grew up on a farm in western Victoria and has done quite a bit in the world of grain crop research and farming systems. James talks about the challenge of going from a researcher to a lecturer, how passionate he is about attracting researchers into agriculture and nurturing the next generation of researchers and agronomists.

GRDC Project Code: HOA2202-001SAX

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Dr Kym Perry from SARDI discusses all things snails including how they got to Australia and have spread across the whole country. He also discusses the new GRDC investment looking at monitoring techniques, biological control and a multifaceted approach to dealing with the widespread problem affecting the grains industry.

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact:

Dr Kym Perry

SARDI Entomology 

Project leader 

[email protected]

More Information:

Groundcover Article – Multifaceted approach to combat snails in grain crops  

GRDC Publications – Nail the Snails! (New)

GRDC Publications – Burn’Em, Bash’Em, Bait’Em

Project Code: UOA2205-005RTX

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Lawrence Richmond. 

Growing up in Watchem in western Victoria, Lawrence Richmond had no idea that there were opportunities to be a farmer beyond his farm gate. But at 21, he picked up work in the world of corporate agriculture, opening his eyes to a world of possibility. Fast forward to today and Lawrence joins us from Romania, where he consults and helps to manage properties with farmers in Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. His story is a great one.

GRDC Project Code: HOA2202-001SAX

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Soilborne disease and root health in cereals and pulses often doesn't get the attention it deserves because it's quite literally out of sight, out of mind.

In this podcast, researchers Blake Gontar and Dr Liz Farquharson of the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions in South Australia, share their insight on identifying and managing soilborne diseases in cereals and pulses.

They’re involved in a series of national grower workshops on soilborne disease and root health that have taken place over the past few years, made possible by a GRDC investment and collaboration with grower groups and other industry bodies.

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact:

Blake Gontar

Senior Research Officer

SARDI

[email protected]

Dr Liz Farquharson

Research Scientist

SARDI

[email protected]

More Information:

GRDC YouTube – Identifying and managing soilborne disease

GRDC Project Code: FLR1912-003RTX

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Tanja Morgan. 

Twenty years ago, Tanja took up a job in the Mallee for a better work opportunity but was ‘devastated’ to move to the area. However, the place grew on her and farming in the Mallee has since become a large part of her life. She’s even moved further away from the big smoke residing in the little town of Geranium where she is a dog trainer, farmer and communicator. With an optimistic outlook on life and a refreshing approach to life’s challenges, Tanja has become an influential and involved part of the Mallee farming community.

GRDC Project Code: HOA2202-001SAX

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GRDC, the Irrigated Cropping Council and the NSW Department of Primary Industries have teamed up to explore the influence of soil amelioration and soil amendments on crop yield and profitability in irrigated farming systems. So far there have been mixed results from the project which aims to give growers an understanding of the costs and benefits of deep ripping on sodic soils.

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact:

Irrigated Cropping Council

Damian Jones

[email protected]

More Information:        

Irrigated Cropping Council Research – Optimising Irrigated Grains

Project Code: ICF1906-002RTX

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Professor Andrew Barr.

Andy is a valued SA local and well-known across the grains industry. He joins us to talk about his childhood memories on a mixed farm, where he developed a love for innovation, inspiring him to study agricultural science that led to a 30-year career in plant breeding. Andy shares his experiences of travelling the world and supporting grains research-for-development across some of the most interesting parts of the planet. Despite his successful career, Andrew's ultimate goal was to return to the family farm, which he eventually did. This year Andy was awarded GRDC's greatest honour - a Seed of Gold award - in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Australia’s grain industry.

GRDC Project Code: HOA2202-001SAX

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The southern region is experiencing its worst season of slug infestation. GRDC is so aware of the problems growers are having with slugs, that it currently has a tender out to invest further in slug research. Meantime we catch up with agronomist, Tim Pohlner and invertebrate ecologist, Dr Michael Nash to discuss trouble shooting the problem now and in future seasons. 

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact:

Dr Michael Nash 

Invertebrate Ecologist 

[email protected] 

More Information: 

GRDC Resources – Slugs and Snails 

GRDC Factsheets – Slug Control

GRDC Publications – Slugs in Crops: The Back Pocket Guide

GRDC Tenders – Optimising slug management

Project Code: MAN2204-001SAX

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🎙️ Terry is the chair of Grains Australia Limited and this year was presented with a GRDC Seed of Gold award.

In this episode, Terry talks about his passion for agriculture and how he started his career in the 1970s in Mount Barker, WA. Despite challenges like the collapse of the wool industry, Terry and his peers persevered, transitioning to grain and livestock. He shares his insights into WA’s Great Southern region, such as its Mediterranean climate and its reliance on winter rainfall for dryland agriculture, and his support for the West Coast Eagles football team.

GRDC Project Code: HOA2202-001SAX

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