MSF Farm Talk Podcast

In this episode of MSF Farm Talk, host Nick Paltridge speaks with livestock consultant Geoff Duddy, Sheep Solutions Principal Consultant, about effective strategies for managing livestock during dry periods. Geoff shares his extensive experience and insights on overcoming feed shortages, implementing confinement feeding, and making crucial decisions about finishing stock or selling stores. 

Listeners will gain valuable advice on maximising feed efficiency, designing containment systems, and improving livestock health to navigate challenging seasons. Tune in for practical tips and expert recommendations to help producers maintain productivity and reduce costs.

00:00 Introduction to Livestock Management in Dry Times

00:55 Meet the Expert: Geoff Duddy's Background

01:55 Current Conditions and Challenges in NSW

03:01 Confinement Feeding: Benefits and Strategies

03:32 Deciding Between Finishing Stock or Selling Stores

07:28 Containment Design and Management Tips

17:09 Health Considerations in Containment

18:52 Future Outlook for the Sheep Industry

20:50 Conclusion and Resources

Useful links

NSW DPI Feed Calculator

Links to Geoff's presentations - click here

This podcast was supported by the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, which is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate Smart Agriculture Program. The Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator is an important member of the Western Local Land Services team, helping land managers make better decisions for a more sustainable future.

Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/

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Join host Paige Cross and Weed Smart agronomist Chris Davey (CD) in this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast as they discuss the GRDC field day focused on optimising soil amelioration efficiency.

CD explores how weeds can indicate underlying soil health issues and shares various soil amelioration techniques to mitigate weed pressure. The conversation also touches on crop competition, soil health improvement strategies, and considerations for future growing seasons, particularly in the context of dry conditions.

This episode is full of practical advice for long-term weed management and crop success.

00:00 Introduction to MSF Farm Talk Podcast

00:52 Exploring Soil Amelioration Techniques

01:33 Understanding Soil Health Through Weeds

05:08 Strategies for Soil Amelioration and Weed Management

11:11 Considerations for Dry Seasons and Future Planning

14:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This podcast was brought to you by the GRDC NGN project 'Optimising soil amelioration costs in typical Mallee soils'.  

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In this episode of the MSF FarmTalk podcast, host Kylie Matthewson discusses the issue of acid soils affecting farms in the Mallee region with David Woodard, a soils consultant from Primary Industries and Regions in South Australia.

They explore how acid soils impact productivity, the use of gypsum and lime in soil treatment, and the different results from long-term soil trials at Lameroo. David goes through the benefits of early action, how higher lime rates and clay spreading can effectively manage soil pH levels, and addresses the challenges posed by rising input costs and dry seasons.

David also shares where listeners can find more information about these long-term lime trials and their results.

00:00 Introduction to the MSF Talk Podcast

00:16 Understanding Acid Soils

00:49 Trial Insights and Results

01:50 Lime and Gypsum: Differences and Applications

03:00 Managing Soil Acidity: Techniques and Observations

04:33 Economic Considerations for Farmers

06:20 Long-term Benefits and Future Prospects

07:36 Resources and Conclusion

Acid Soils Resources

Acid Soils SA website

GRDC Resources

GRDC update paper

Soil acidification factsheet

This podcast was brought to you by the GRDC. project development and extension to close the economic you'd gap and maximise farming systems benefits for grain leg in production in south Australia.

 

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In this episode of MSF Farm Talk, host Nick Paltridge speaks with John Leys, a soil management expert, about tools for monitoring paddocks and current ground cover conditions across the tri-state Mallee. 

John shares insights from his career, including his work with Dust Watch, and discusses trends in dust storms, ground cover management strategies, and the challenges farmers might face heading into summer.

They explore various tools available for ground cover monitoring, such as VegMachine, RAPP Map, and PastureKey, and the importance of effective grazing and stock management to minimise erosion risks. 

00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode

00:45 John Leys' Journey in Land Management

02:13 Understanding Dust Trends and Ground Cover

03:16 Current State of Ground Cover

08:06 Tools for Monitoring Ground Cover

09:59 Strategies to Minimise Erosion Risks 

12:50 Conclusion and Resources

Visit the Dust Watch website here

This podcast was supported by the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, which is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.

Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/

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In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, Dr. Ali Bajwa from Latrobe University discusses the challenges and current research efforts in managing Gazania, a resilient weed affecting cropping systems in Southern Australia.

Dr. Bajwa elaborates on the biology of Gazania, its rapid spread, and the ongoing field trials and herbicide screenings aimed at finding effective management strategies.

Key discussions include the impact of the weed's life cycle on control measures, the importance of early-stage treatment, and potential chemical options. The episode also addresses the adaptability of Gazania and the need for comprehensive management approaches.

Listeners can learn about the progress of the Gazania project and the resources available for tackling this invasive species.

00:00 Introduction to the Gazania Wars

00:50 Project Progress and Initial Findings

01:53 Survey Insights and Management Options

03:50 Challenges in Controlling Gazania

05:57 Field Trials and Future Research

08:39 Impact of Drought Conditions

10:14 Summer Strategies for Growers

12:06 Surprising Traits of Gazania

13:26 Conclusion and Resources

Contact details Dr Ali Bajwa (X @a1bajwa): [email protected] or 0431 194 862

NGN - Gazanias incidence and impact on grain cropping in the Southern region. GRDC Code: ULA2402-002RTX

 

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In this episode of the MSF FarmTalk podcast, host Nick Paltridge is joined by Deb Scammell and Felicity Turner to discuss insights from recent sheep management webinars funded by the SA Drought Hub.

With South Australia experiencing one of its driest seasons on record, the trio explores the tough decisions farmers face, such as feed management, culling, and containment strategies.

They also delve into practical tools and tips for navigating these challenging times, including feed budgeting, containment pros and cons, and strategic culling.

The team emphasise the importance of planning, mental health, and community support as farmers work through the drought.

This episode is packed with valuable advice for managing the difficult season ahead.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:01 Reflecting on the Dry Season

01:58 Early Decisions and Strategies

02:55 Decision-Making Tools and Tips

06:10 Containment Strategies

09:59 Feed Budgeting and Management

18:00 Final Thoughts 

Useful links

Containment feeding

Feed cost calculator

This podcast was brought to you by the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. 

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In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Tanja Morgan is joined by zoning project regulars Peter Treloar Law and Sean Mason to discuss the impact of this exceptionally dry season on harvest data collection.

The episode emphasises the importance of gathering data to make informed decisions for the next season. The team also provides practical tips for ensuring equipment is ready for harvest and discusses the implications of different soil types, frost, and drought conditions on yields.

They highlight the significance of good record-keeping, monitoring nutrient balances, and the potential to reduce fertiliser inputs next year due to residual nutrients.

The podcast is supported by the SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:51 Current Harvest Conditions

02:33 Importance of Data Collection

05:43 Trial Strips and Observations

06:43 Equipment Preparation for Harvest

09:18 Nutrient Management for Next Year 1

1:14 Conclusion and Future Outlook

For more info on the project check out the project page on the MSF website click here

Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/

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In the inaugural episode of 'Farming a Growth Mindset' from the MSF Farm Talk podcast series, hosts Tanja Morgan and resident mindset expert Dennis delve into the importance of restorative sleep.

They discuss the differences between restorative and regular sleep, share techniques for creating an optimal sleep environment, and explore procedural habits for quality rest.

The episode covers environmental factors, bedtime routines, and mindset preparation to improve sleep quality. Dennis emphasises the role of sleep in maintaining mental and physical health and offers practical advice tailored for farmers' unique lifestyles.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:23 Exploring Restorative Sleep

01:01 Understanding Sleep Quality

06:29 Environmental Factors for Better Sleep

09:29 Procedural Tips for Quality Sleep

12:55 Mindset and Sleep

14:49 Dreams and Sleep Quality

17:10 Conclusion and Future Topics

This podcast was brought to you by the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.

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In this episode of the Better Frost Decisions podcast, Tanja Morgan discusses advanced frost management techniques with Chaiyya Cooper, a Research Scientist from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Western Australia.

Chaiyya explains the impact of ice-nucleating bacteria on frost damage in crops and shares new findings on products being tested to mitigate this risk. Discover how these research efforts could transform frost damage management for growers and where to find more information on this groundbreaking study.

00:00 Introduction to Frost Management

00:53 Interview with Chaiyya Cooper

01:12 Understanding Ice Nucleating Bacteria

03:31 Research on Frost Management Products

05:29 Field Trials and Future Research

07:36 Conclusion and Further Information

The following links have more information on ice nucleating bacteria 

Agronomy Conference Proceedings 

GRDC publications

This podcast was brought to you by the GRDC project 'Applying current knowledge to inform, grower decision-making to mitigate the impact of frost now and in the future'. 

Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/

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In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, Paige Cross converses with Peter Boutsalis from Plant Science Consulting on the intricate challenges of managing weeds during one of the driest years on record in Southern Australia.

The discussion delves into the complexities of herbicide resistance, especially concerning ryegrass and broadleaf weeds, and emphasises the importance of strategic weed management tactics such as residual herbicides, resistance testing, and soil moisture conservation.

Peter provides valuable insights and practical advice on assessing resistance, managing costs, and employing long-term weed control strategies for the upcoming seasons.

00:00 Introduction to Weed Management Challenges

00:34 Meet the Expert: Peter Boutsalis

02:00 Current Weed Challenges in Southern Australia

04:15 Ryegrass and Other Problematic Weeds

06:30 Strategies for Effective Weed Management

07:00 Sampling and Testing for Herbicide Resistance

10:25 Impact of Residual Herbicides and Dry Conditions

12:51 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

14:49 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

This podcast was brought to you by the GRDC project 'Demonstration of summer fallow weed management strategies to reduce input costs in soils of the Wentworth region'. 

For more info on the project visit the MSF project page click here

For more info on Herbicide Resistance Testing visit Plant Science Consulting 

Other useful resources - Kondinin Group Research Report June 2024 Managing Weeds and Pests During Drought

Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/

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