GRDC Podcast

In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with Darcy Warren, a leading researcher at Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia based in Geelong. Darcy’s entry into agriculture was far from traditional; growing up in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Greensborough, he discovered agricultural science almost by accident at a university open day. From those early sparks of curiosity, Darcy has built a distinguished career, starting with a joint GRDC and Agriculture Victoria graduate program and progressing to help lead a national research team. 

The conversation explores the rapid growth of Field Applied Research (FAR) Australia from a small team of four to a national organisation. Darcy reflects on the "career-defining" Hyper Yielding Cereals project in Tasmania, the complexities of managing disease burdens, and the shifting landscape of fungicide resistance. Beyond the technical science, Darcy discusses the "people side" of agriculture—the importance of mentorship, the challenges of a travel-heavy career, and why he encourages the next generation of "city kids" to find their place in the grains sector. 

Watch highlights from this episode as a video on YouTube.

More information 

Far Australia

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

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In this episode, Tim Neale from DataFarming explains a new precision ag tool, weedSAT. WeedSAT is a satellite-powered weed detection tool developed with investment from GRDC through the Grain Automate initiative. It uses high-resolution commercial satellite imagery to identify larger, hard-to-kill weeds across broadacre paddocks. This enables targeted spraying using existing boom spray section control systems before growers even enter the field. We also hear from Precision Ag consultant Bindi Isbister, who has been trialling the technology with Western Australian growers with good success.

Contacts: 

Tim Neale

Datafarming

[email protected]

Bindi Isbister

Agrarian Management

[email protected]

More Information: 

Satellites deployed to pintpoint summer weeds

weedSAT turning your conventional boom into a spot sprayer using ultra high resolution satellite imagery

Project Investment Code:   

DFL2304-002RTX

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In this episode, facilitators Amy Wright and Lucy Pedler talk about the rise of young grower groups across South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Supported by AIR EP and the Future Drought Fund, these peer-to-peer networks are creating safe spaces for young growers to build skills, confidence and leadership capacity.

Participants prioritise topics such as soils, technology adoption, drought resilience and business management—while also valuing connection, collaboration and time off-farm with peers. Amy and Lucy highlight increased confidence among members, with some stepping into leadership roles, industry panels and research committees.

With study tours planned and momentum building, these groups are not only strengthening individual businesses but fostering the next generation of resilient, connected agricultural leaders. GRDC is proud to support many of these growers to attend study tours.

Contacts:      

Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula Inc

George Pedler Ag

More Information:    

GRDC Sponsorship

AIR EP

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Have you been thinking of adding a legume to your rotation? In this episode, we are joined by Calingiri legume grower John Young and Glen Reithmuller who is from DPIRD in WA. John shares his experience with implementing legumes into his rotation and Glen shares the surprising efficiency of legume harvestability.

Contacts:

John Young 

WA Grower 

[email protected]  

Glen Reithmuller 

DPRID 

[email protected] 

More Information:

Closing the economic yield gap of grain legumes in WA
Legume Harvesting video

Project Investment Code:

GGA2110-002SAX 

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As we recorded this podcast, the bushfire threat in Victoria was ongoing with lives, homes, and thousands of hectares of cropping land still at risk. In this episode, we hear from Dennis Hoiberg from Lessons Learned Consulting and get some strategies for looking after your mental health in traumatic times such as a bushfire event. We also speak to South Australian grower, Andy Barr, who has firsthand experience dealing with the loss and devastation bushfires can cause. 

Contacts:      

Andy Barr

Grower, South Australia

[email protected]

Dennis Hoiberg

Lessons Learned Consulting

[email protected]

More Information:  

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/publications/2023/reducing-harvest-fires

https://grdc.com.au/events/past-events/2025/10/grdc-farm-business-update,-online-reducing-the-risk-of-harvest-fires

https://lessonslearntconsulting.com

https://www.lifeline.org.au 

https://www.beyondblue.org.au

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What the eef are EEFs? This episode dives deep into not only what EEFs are, but how they can change modern grain farming. On the face of it, they are enhanced efficiency fertilisers, but what it can mean is farmers are able to take control over fertiliser loss in their paddocks and be a lot closer to meeting global emissions targets. A four year multi-million dollar co-investment is aiming to explore how Australian grain growers can improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce on farm greenhouse gas emissions. In this podcast we speak to project lead, Dr Arjun Pandey from The University of Melbourne and also grower, Russell Zwar who has experience using EEFs.

Contact:  

Dr Arjun Pandey

The University of Melbourne

[email protected]

More Information:  

Optimising the use of enhanced fertilisers

Project Investment Code:

UoM2404-007RTX

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Adapting new technology on farm has always been vital to farming success. As modern Australian farming moves further into the digital age, fully automated systems are being considered and in this new Grain Automate podcast series, we'll be exploring innovative stories showing practical real-world examples of autonomy in grain farming. This episode emphasises that autonomy isn't about buying the newest robot. It's about building the right environment for automation to succeed and understanding why each change matters. Looking at the five foundational building blocks of autonomy and the structured process-first thinking required for successful implementation. Listen to Emma Leonard from AgriKnowHow, a consultancy company that specialises in helping farmers deal with change.

Contact:      

Dr Emma Leonard

AgriKnowHow

[email protected]

More Information:  

https://grainautomate.grdc.com.au

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/precision-agriculture-and-machinery/are-you-ready-for-autonomy

Project Investment Code:   

SPA2404-002RTX 

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In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, mixed farmer Wayne Pech shares the sustainable farming practices he’s weaving into his business North Stirling Downs in WA’s Great Southern region; more specifically his focus on emission management, and the importance of family involvement in agriculture.

Host Oli Le Lievre asks Wayne about the on-farm changes he’s made to improve water efficiency, and how his team of core staff members allows him to outsource daily tasks to his manager and free his mind to plan for the bigger picture of his business.

More information

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: HAG2308-001SAX

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In this episode, grower Tristan Baldock and agronomist Brett Masters

Contacts:            

Brett Masters

Research Agronomist, EPAG Research

[email protected]

Tristan Baldock

Grower

[email protected]

More Information:

Buckleboo Deep Ripping Trial

Helping growers manage Sandy Soils

Project Investment Code:    

CSP2403-017RTX

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There are new tools available for durum wheat growers, presenting opportunities to close the yield gap with bread wheat. With a major pasta processing company in South Australia, durum is particularly sought after.

The average area sown over the past five years in SA has been around the 50-thousand-hectare mark, but that area is now being extended into non-traditional durum growing regions such as the southeast of the state. 

With its natural genetic resistance to stripe rust and septoria tritici, and new varieties with improved yield potential, along with advanced techniques for crown rot management and weeds, durum is showing promise. In this podcast we hear from agronomist, Darcy King and local durum grower, Simon Ballinger.

Contact:

Darcy King

Nutrien Ag

[email protected]

More Information:   https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/cereals/padthaway-durum-outclasses-bread-wheat-in-trial

Trials support

Project Investment Code:    

SAD2204-001SAX

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