The Prosperous Farmer

The Prosperous Farmer meets Emma Gallagher, SARDI Technical Officer and Jason McClure, Agronomist with Elders, and a member of the MFMG Operations Committee to discuss the recent canola herbicide agronomy trial undertaken at Minimay.

Roundup Ready© Herbicide is still relatively new to South Australian growers, with little trial work having been done on the new technology. This trial was designed around comparing the traditional Clearfield© production system and the Roundup Ready© tolerant canola system, with a focus on ryegrass management. How did the three management levels -low input, standard grower practice and high input - compare? What impact did the different treatments have on annual ryegrass control and crop yield? Do the numbers stack up to deliver a financial return?

This trial is included in the MFMG Trial Results Book 2025 (MFMG member login required to access).

To see and hear more on current MFMG trials and what's happening in the paddocks, head along to one of the three Field Day walks in September and October 2026. Head to www.mackillopgroup.com.au/events.

Canary-yellow crops, costly inputs and a surprising solution — what’s really going on with iron deficiency in pulses?

In this episode, SARDI Senior Research Scientist Dr Nigel Wilhelm and Nutrien agronomist Olivia Veronese discuss one of the Limestone Coast’s most frustrating crop nutrition challenges: iron deficiency in pulses grown on highly calcareous soils.

From decades of trial and error to some exciting recent breakthroughs, Nigel and Olivia unpack why faba and broad beans can turn bright yellow, how new iron treatments are changing the game, and what researchers are doing to make those treatments more affordable for growers.

This trial is included in the MFMG Trial Results Book 2025 (MFMG member login required to access).

To see and hear more on current MFMG trials and what's happening in the paddocks, head along to one of the three Field Day walks in September and October 2026. Head to www.mackillopgroup.com.au/events.

Could that patch of poor-performing beans be more than just waterlogging? What are the tell tale signs of something more sinister?

In this episode SARDI researcher Blake Gontar explores Aphanomyces Root Rot (ARR) and its effect on pulse crops—what to look for, how it develops, and why wet, warm conditions can dramatically increase yield losses. Blake shares practical advice on how to manage ARR, the importance of biosecurity, and where to access free diagnostic support. We also discuss the new GRDC Soil Borne Disease Initiative and what it means for the future of pulse disease management.

Phosphorus can be a complex beast, particularly when coupled with managing alkaline black flats and calcareous soils found in the Limestone Coast.

In direct response to growers keen to learn more on how to leverage its potential, Adam Hancock and the team established a trial site at Bool Lagoon comparing novel phosphorus treatment ideas and strategies.

How does liquid application compare with granular? Broadcasting or deep banding? What are the key barriers to uptake, particularly in the face of seasonal challenges?

With the mantra of 'replace what you remove', Adam unpacks how using yield maps and soil variability data to tailor phosphorus replacement rates can improve long-term nutrient management and paddock performance.

This trial is included in the MFMG Trial Results Book 2025 (MFMG member login required to access).

The Prosperous Farmer catches up with spray drift specialist Mary O’Brien following the Best Practice Spray Application Workshop in Naracoorte. Drawing on her experience as a former regulator and industry advisor, Mary shares practical, no-nonsense insights into responsible chemical use, spray drift prevention, and protecting agriculture’s social licence.

From understanding inversion conditions and wind movement to choosing the right nozzle, maintaining accurate records, and managing water quality, Mary outlines the critical decisions that sit firmly in the hands of spray operators. She explains why compliance with chemical labels is non-negotiable, how good record-keeping can protect farmers, and why a few simple tweaks can prevent costly mistakes and industry conflict.

TPF previously caught up with Mary O'Brien in Season 3, Episode 2 with 'Are You Bogged Mate?'.

Having a robust risk management strategy in place is part and parcel of a farming business, a fact Chris Matthews Principal of MGA Naracoorte knows well. Chris is a long time supporter of the MacKillop Group, a former chair and board member serving in its early years throughout the nineties. MGA Naracoorte is a long term sponsor and is currently a Gold Sponsor.

In this episode Chris shares the highlights of his thirty year journey in the insurance industry, underpinned by his strong sense of community and connection with farming businesses.

What does a robust risk management strategy look like? And when a crisis hits, where does a brokers role begin and end?

*content relates to a major Limestone Coast fire event and may be triggering for some listeners.

Armed with a PhD in ruminant nutrition and physiology from the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy College, and with experience in senior research roles at the University and the Thomas Elder Institute, Michael launched his own livestock nutrition consultancy in Naracoorte three years ago.

In this episode Michael unpacks learnings from the Dry Feed to Dollars project as part of SA Drought Hub's Decision Making for Drought.

He dives into smart, cost-effective strategies for managing dry feed during tough seasons, showing how targeted protein, mineral, and nitrogen supplementation can unlock more value from poor-quality pasture. Listen in for practical rules of thumb to boost feed utilisation, protect animal performance, reduce feed costs, turn dry feed into dollars and build more resilient livestock systems.

Nitrogen application doesn’t have to be a guessing game. In this episode, Dr Melissa Fraser and agronomist Lee Menhenett reveal how moisture, measurement and timing can transform your nitrogen strategy—and your bottom line.

Mel and Lee break down the tools, data and on-farm decisions that drive profitable, resilient cropping. Packed with smart tools, practical insights and memorable one-liners (yes—rainfall is a tool, not just pub bragging rights!), this lively, insightful conversation is full of farmer-tested wisdom, good humour, and a reminder that you can’t manage what you don’t measure.

The Mastering Nitrogen Application Seminar was held in July in Naracoorte.

Shownotes:

CliMate website : https://climateapp.net.au/

Yield Prophet Lite: https://www.yieldprophet.com.au/yplite/

Soil Moisture Probe: https://app.outpostcentral.com/remote/MFMGLogin.html

CoTL Mesonet: https://cotl.com.au/mesonet

Tom Kapcejevs is a Durum Breeder with Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) MFMG sponsor, and Australia’s largest plant breeding company and market leader in wheat genetics.

At the recent Southern Australia Durum Growers Association Crop Walk at Bordertown Tom took some time out to catch up with The Prosperous Farmer. Tom dives into the two new releases of durum wheat varieties - Rimfire and Banker - discussing their performance, their limitations, their yield, and how they stack up against common diseases for durum wheat.

Durum wheat in the Limestone Coast is a positive story, with a strong domestic market with San Remo together with a growing export market.

And what's with the variety names? And what do they have to do with the Melbourne Cup?

Is there any money in farming? Cam Nicholson and Nathaniel Modra unpack the biggest challenges farmers face in today's landscape, areas for improvement for calculating costs, and how knowing your cost of production plays an important part in decision making.

Whilst its a retrospective measure, knowing your cost of production can give farmers an understanding of the efficiencies of their business. But what else needs to be considered when it comes to cost management? And what are the volatilities of being in ag? How have they changed over the years?