For the 2024 growing season, some Western Australian growers are chasing moisture deeper than ever before, by successfully planting conventional wheat varieties down to around 60 to 80mm.  

This new thinking stems from positive findings from long coleoptile wheat (LCW) research. In this podcast, we hear from Tammin-based grower, Simon York, and SLR agriculture CEO Michael Lamond, on the benefits LCW will have accessing deep moisture and the success growers are having with planting conventional varieties deep this year. 

There's currently a four-year national GRDC investment underway to provide growers with the knowledge and tools to integrate long coleoptile wheat into their farming systems once the genetics become commercially available.  

The $12.7 million investment is being led by CSIRO along with research partners including the University of Melbourne, NSW Department of Primary Industries, QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, SLR Agriculture, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, the University of South Australia and EPAG Research.

Image courtesy of ABC Midwest Wheatbelt/Jo Prendergast

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Michael Lamond 

SLR Agriculture

[email protected]

GroundCover – GRDC announces $12.7M project for long coleoptile wheat

GRDC Code: CSP2212-007RTX

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In the Lake Grace area, grower Ed Naisbitt has been growing lupins on the family farm for 40 years. It was a crop initially established by his father, and one that has remained a constant in the rotation as the years have gone by. 

Ed is a part of the cohort of 'Legume Leaders' that has been established by the Grower Group Alliance, with investment from GRDC. These leaders are sharing their insights on the various legume crops over a seven-part series throughout 2024. 

In this episode, Ed tells us about why he has stuck with lupins for four decades and the many benefits they bring to his farming operation.

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Ed Naisbitt, Grower

[email protected]

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

Airtable – Legume Leader bios and contact details

GRDC Code: GGA2110-002SAX

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Long coleoptile wheat (LCW) varieties are proving to be a good insurance policy to ensure emergence in ameliorated soil.  

This is one of the many positive findings so far from the national $12.7m GRDC investment to help Australian growers integrate long coleoptile wheat into their farming systems once the genetics are commercially available. 

In this podcast, we hear from Dr Stephen Davies from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the CSIRO’s Dr Greg Rebetzke on the trial results and insights on how long coleoptile wheat varieties can improve establishment in ameliorated soils. 

This four-year long coleoptile wheat project, made possible with GRDC investment, is being led by CSIRO along with research partners including the University of Melbourne, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, SLR Agriculture, DPIRD, the University of South Australia, and EPAG research.

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Dr Greg Rebetzke

[email protected]

Dr Stephen Davies

[email protected]

GroundCover – GRDC announces $12.7M project for long coleoptile wheat

GRDC Code: CSP2212-007RTX

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Does the term 'regenerative agriculture' make you want to high-five the farmer next to you, or send you running for the hills?

In this week's podcast we talk to Dr Hanabeth Luke (Southern Cross University) and Victorian grain grower and GRDC Southern Panel member Tim McClelland about regenerative agriculture - what it means and what indicators we could use to measure progress towards improved soil health and farm resilience.  

The research team is looking for a broad range of growers to get involved, whether they see the type of farming they are doing as regenerative, sustainable, or something in between. To start with growers can help by doing survey. 

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Dr Hanabeth Luke, Southern Cross University

[email protected]

Farming practice survey

GRDC Code: SCU2307-001RTX 

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🎙️ Today's 'GRDC in Conversation' podcast interview is with Steve Madden 

Steve Madden has over 30 years experience as an agronomist and is the inventor of an insect management device called Crop Capsule. In this GRDC in Conversation episode with Oli Le Lievre, Steve discusses his career progression, advancements in agricultural technology, using beneficial insects to manage pests in crops, the process in commercialising a product, agricultural community, evolutions and opportunities in the sector and learning from the generations before. 

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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.  

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The GRDC Emerging Leader Award recognises the commitment of a professional with less than ten years’ experience in the grains industry. At the Perth GRDC update event in February 2024, Robert Harrison was presented with the Emerging Leader Award for his valuable work in legume and pasture agronomy.  

Robert is a research scientist at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Murdoch University. 

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Robert Harrison, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)

GroundCover – WA grains extension and innovation recognised with GRDC awards

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🎙️ 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.

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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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.

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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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