The Prosperous Farmer

Why are alternative methods of weed control systems important? Which options will become commercially available for farmers?

Michael Walsh from the Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga details the new technologies on weed control. With the development of electrical and chemical weeding systems, targeted tillage, and automated laser delivery system through robotics, Michael unpacks the opportunities, challenges and potential adoption of these technologies.

Michael Walsh presented at the GRDC Update at Keith in August 2025, on 'Novel weed control technologies with potential for use in Australian grain production systems'.

Did you know that the majority of fertiliser spreaders deliver highly variable spread patterns? This compromises production rates and farm profitability as some areas within the paddock receive too much fertiliser and others too little. Understanding your spreader pattern using different products can result in higher productivity and healthier waterways.

In this episode, we catch up with Australia’s leading Accu-Spread trainer Russell Nichol sharing his knowledge on the types of spreaders, how to test and calibrate spreading equipment, how frequently farmers should be check their calibration. What's the elusive spreader mark, why is it important and how can it be achieved? And if you're in the market for a spreader what should you be looking for?

Together with farm business consultant Chris Scheid, Pine Hill farmers - father and daughter team Ted and Clare Langley - share the learnings from their participation in the recent AgRi-Silience program. Kicking off with the 'Now, Where, How' business planning process, profitability, return on assets, key business ratios and goal setting, the program was an excellent opportunity to work on the business and identify challenges and opportunities.

The business planning 'roadmap' provides pathways when challenges arise, using risk analysis and actionable strategies for individual businesses.

AgRi-Silience is delivered by Livestock SA and jointly funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.

New germplasm in the Limestone Coast - Upper (Bordertown) and Lower (Millicent) - offers insight into the future of wheat and barley disease management for the region. The Prosperous Farmer checks in with FAR Australia's Senior Research Manager Darcy Warren and Research Manager Max Bloomfield on the trials undertaken in the Limestone Coast. What were the key results in terms of yields and fungicide response for the selected varieties and how will these results assist with farmer decision making?

This episode was recorded on 29 May 2025.

Related episodes:

Season 3, Episode 3 'Grain Legume production with Max Bloomfield.

Season 6, Episode 5: The GRDC Hyper Yielding Crop Project - reflections with Jen Lillecrapp and Sam Ballantyne

Upcoming events: FAR Australia Crop Technology Centre Field Day at Millicent on October 24.

Related Projects: GRDC Hyper Profitable Crops Project

The Prosperous Farmer catches up with Vet Jo Ward and farmer Haydn Lines to learn more about the post weaning project for beef weaners, looking at how they grow - or not - from the time of weaning until there is sufficient feed on the ground. What are the factors that influence the profitability of beef weaners? And what management strategies can be used to optimise their growth? Keith-based Haydn explains why he got involved in the project and how it has changed his approach to managing beef weaners.

We take a look at the agtech product of virtual fencing with SARDI Senior Research Officer, Megan Willis and Mallee based mixed farmer Paul Roberts.

Megan explains how virtual fencing is changing the way we think about managing rotational grazing for cattle using this collared technology.

Trial participant Paul Roberts explains why this exciting technology is the next step in their system for crop management and its benefits for soil, pasture and productivity on farm.

What are the limits, and will commercialisation of virtual fencing come to South Australia?

Related podcast: Virtual fencing in agriculture with James Pitchford and Megan Willis

Prof. Wayne Pitchford explains that the losses that occur in maternal productivity in southern beef herds often aren't disastrous, but there is still plenty of room for the 'one-percenters' to be addressed, making breeder herds as efficient as possible.

He steps through the reproductive cycle and the losses that may occur in each.

Through strategies relating to joining weight - and weight gained during joining - calving time and bull genetics, productivity and profitability opportunities can be realised.

Related podcast: Benchmarking Beef with Michael Cobiac and Elke Hocking

The Prosperous Farmer previously caught up with Simon Quilty in June 2024.

In this episode, Simon shares key insights from his March 2025 presentation at the Westpac Regional and Agribusiness Breakfast Forum at Lucindale, including the impact of potential US tariffs, global markets, supply and demand, the cycle of production and where beef and sheep prices will land in 2025.

Simon Quilty is a leading independent meat and livestock analyst and broker of physical meat products worldwide, works with international companies and is founder of ‘Global Agritrends Downunder’.

MFMG CEO Sally Klose catches up with Soil Consultant Dr Mel Fraser on soil amelioration - what it is, why it's important, and how it's achieved. What effect does it have on crop production, and how does it relate to a knee reconstruction? Find out more in this highly informative update on the current project 'Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA'.

Resources

MFMG Project: Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA

GRDC: Sandy soils of the southern region

CSIRO: Water repellent soils

GRDC: Clay Spreading and delving in light, sandy soils

Spread, delve, spade, invert - a best practice guide to the addition of clay to sandy soils

Coorong Tatiara LAP: Soil Amelioration and Sand Stabilisation

Coorong Tatiara Soil Hub: Supporting growers and advisors for better economic outcomes

In this episode MFMG CEO Sally Klose catches up with Jen Lillecrapp, Project Lead for the recently completed GRCD Hyper Yielding Crops Project, together with Mt Burr based farmer Sam Ballantyne as they share their learnings, reflections and ideas on future crop varieties.

MFMG Project: GRDC Hyper Profitable Crops - cereal paddock benchmarking and innovation groups