How do you take soil samples from your paddocks? A leading soil scientist maintains that many farmers are leaving a lot of valuable information buried in the paddock, which could be easily accessed with a slightly different approach to sampling. On this podcast, Jason Codon invites you to look at soil sampling with soil variability in mind.

Contact:

Jason Codon

02 6933 2278

[email protected]

Link https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/effective-soil-sampling-high-and-low-cost-options-to-gain-soil-fertility-information-for-management.

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And you thought you were responsible for that amazing wheat crop. Think again. There are people in back offices all over Australia who know the seed you sow, infinitely better that you could hope. These are the people of SAGI – Statistics for the Australian Grains Industry. The name does not even hint what SAGI does. Take a listen and find out about the best friends you will ever have in the grains industry.

Contact:

Dr Julian Taylor

08 8313 2077

[email protected]

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They may be tiny but the damage they can potentially do is far from small. Root Lesion Nematodes are well known as a problem, but there is still much to learn about them and their impact on crops. A new investment by GRDC aims to fill in some knowledge gaps in parts of WA and develop further options for growers seeking to better control the nematodes if they are proving a problem in individual paddocks.

Contact:

Blake O’Meagher

0499 166 160

[email protected]

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Trials in Western Australia are showing how well canola can out compete ryegrass if some simple management changes are made. At a trial site in Kojunup, that was blanketed in ryegrass plants, adjusting seeding rates, seed size and row spacing had a dramatic impact on ryegrass plant numbers.

Contact:

Mike Ashworth

08 6488 7872

[email protected]

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Growers with acid soils know full well the risks involved in growing pulses. While new acid tolerant rhizobia are on the way, this podcast focusses on giving you an insider’s view on getting the best performance from your pulses growing in acidic soil.

Contact:

Ross Ballard

08 8303 9388

[email protected]

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Crop competition is one of the key pathways to controlling unwanted weeds in your paddocks. On this podcast we look at one trial in Western Australia that is testing crop competition against prolific ryegrass populations, proving that out-competing weeds really works.

The trial is also looking at the pre-emergent herbicide degradation, particularly in dry times. AHRI’s Mike Ashworth provides some food for thought.

Contact:

Mike Ashworth

08 6488 7872

[email protected]

More Information:

https://bit.ly/2QtqP1j

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A leading soil scientist has argued for a more strategic approach to nitrogen application. One way of doing that is by increasing soil carbon levels. But the CSIRO’s Jeff Baldock goes one step further and argues that putting a value on soil organic carbon would encourage farmers to grow more legumes.

Contact:

Jeff Baldock

08 8303 8537

[email protected]

More Information: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2019/02/nitrogen-and-soil-organic-matter-decline-what-is-needed-to-fix-it

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How economically viable is incorporating organic matters into your sub-soil? That’s what new research funded by GRDC is trying to ascertain.

While it’s been long understood that some sub-soils constrain root growth, just how that could be feasibly addressed has been sticking point.

On this podcast Dr Roger Armstrong from Agriculture Victoria discusses ways sub-soil constraints may be overcome.

Contact:

Roger Armstrong

0417 500 449

[email protected]

Other Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/groundcover-july-august-2018/machine-streamlines-subsoil-amelioration-research https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/story/5889038/shedding-light-on-subsoil/

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Nick Gillett from the WA’s eastern wheat belt has been making use of carbonate rich soils from his own farm to correct the pH of his farm’s acidic soils, rather than truck-in coastal. An option that saves freight costs, which can then be put towards spreading more of his farm sourced lime over more hectares to improve his soils and crop yields.

GRDC project code: LIE1803-002SAX

Further Information:

Greg Shea, DPIRD

0427 449 398

[email protected]

Useful Resources: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2019/locating-and-assessing-on-farm-lime-sources

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The Australian Grains Genebank at Horsham is a critical stop along the long development pathway to deliver new varieties that will increase the profitability of Australian grain growers.

On this podcast we go deep inside the facility to see how it works and to learn more about the role of the Australian Grains Genebank plays in your industry. It’s a fascinating story.

Contact:

Sally Norton

03 4344 3124

[email protected]

Resources: http://www.seedpartnership.org.au/associates/agg

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