GRDC - Driving Agronomy Podcasts

February 2007 presented by Nigel Wilhelm Nigel Wilhelm from the SA Research and Development Institute (SARDI) discussed the lessons that could be learned from drought at the recent Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Advisor Update in Adelaide. The Advisers Updates are aimed at positioning growers for a rapid recovery from the worst drought on record. Mr Wilhelm spoke about crop nutrition in 2007. He said while 2007 is not the year to use phosphorus fertiliser rates to boost soil...

8 February 2007 presented by Mr Peter Carr At the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Advisor Update in Adelaide recently, Peter Carr of Carr Consulting and Services discussed the widespread adoption of GM technology and GM crops across the world in contrast with the situation in Australia. About 100 million hectares around the world (including some 40 million hectares in developing countries) have been planted to GM crops, mostly canola, soy, cotton and corn. Even countries of the European...

8 February 2007 presented by Dr Peter McIntosh Dr Peter McIntosh, a CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research scientist, has discussed the conditions that led to the 2006 drought at the recent Adelaide Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Adviser Update. The Advisers Updates are aimed at positioning growers for a rapid recovery from the worst drought on record. While South Australia enjoyed a promising start to the 2006 cropping season, it became very dry from May onwards. Dr McIntosh explains...

February 2007 presented by Dr Chris Preston Dr Chris Preston of the CRC for Australian Weed Management discussed the lessons that could be learned from the drought at the recent Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Advisor Update in Adelaide. The Advisers Updates are aimed at positioning growers for a rapid recovery from the worst drought on record. Dr Preston spoke about herbicide residues, and how herbicide carryover problems in the soil were usually worse after drought due to reduced...

12 February 2007 presented by Dr Allan Mayfield Dr Allan Mayfield, agronomic consultant and Southern Panel member, discussed the lessons that could be learned from the drought at the recent Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Adviser Update in Adelaide. The GRDC Adviser Updates are aimed at positioning growers for a rapid recovery from the worst drought on record. While South Australia enjoyed a promising start to the 2006 cropping season, it became very dry from May onwards. Dr Mayfield...

This edition of Harvest Radio looks in some detail at the disease which some say costs Australian graingrowers $78 million per year. To find out more on the stubble borne fungal disease, Crown Rot, Chris Brown caught up with Steven Simpfendorfer (NSW DPI), Hugh Ball (Graingrower from Moree, NSW ), and Hugh Wallwork (SARDI) as part of the upcoming special feature in Ground Cover on cereal crown and root diseases. For further information: Steven Simpfendorfer, NSW DPI, 02 6763 1100,...

Chris Brown speaks with Chris Preston (Weed CRC), Professor Abul Hashem (Agriculture WA) and Professor Jim Pratley (left) (Charles Sturt University) about annual ryegrass control, specifically genetics, minimising chemical resistance and non-chemical farming techniques. For further information: John Sandow, GRDC, 02 6272 5525

With a greater focus on pasture production for mixed livestock this issue of Harvest Radio looks at cost effective fodder options including forage brassicas and the benefits for mixed farming systems. Sowing time is discussed with an emphasis on trial results assessing the impact on yields. For more information contact: Mike Gout, Seed Force, 02 6944 9001

With major frosts affecting crops across the grains belt in recent years, this month's Harvest Radio concentrated on measures that can be taken to minimise the risk of frost damage. Harvest Radio caught up with Garren Knell (ConsultAg) and Melissa Rebbeck (SARDI) to discuss frost minimisation strategies for the southern and western regions and Jack Christopher of QDPI to discuss issues relating to frost in the northern region. Further information can be found on the Frost Fact Sheet, included in...

This edition of Harvest Radio looks at some of the new technologies available to combat grain storage constraints such as phosphine resistance while focussing on methods to maximise grain grower productivity. Harvest Radio talks to Peter Botta (Victorian Department of Primary Industries) on sealed storage and aeration systems, Peter Hughes (Department of Primary Industries Queensland) comparing phosphine effectiveness in sealed and unsealed silos, James Darby (CSIRO) concentrating on aeration technologies, Pat Collins (Department of Primary Industries Queensland) on controlling pests...

February 2007 presented by Paul Higgins Biofuels represent a potential alternative market for Australian grain growers, but it's not that simple according to futurist Paul Higgins of Emergent Futures Pty Ltd who was a speaker at the GRDC Adviser Updates in February. Futurists make forecasts about the future but they don't predict it, according to Mr Higgins, who says there is a great deal of uncertainty about biofuels' effects on Australian agriculture. This is because the industry is driven by...

This edition of Harvest Radio looks at management options for fungal diseases in this years grain crop. Chris Brown caught up with Gordon Murray (NSW DPI), Col Wellings (Australian Cereal Rust Control Program), Greg Platz (QDPI&F) and Nick Poole (Foundation for Arable Research, NZ)) at the recent series of GRDC workshops for farm advisers. The workshops were organised to get advisers ready to help graingrowers deal with what could be another big year for fungal disease. For further information: Gordon...

This edition of Harvest Radio takes a look at climate forecasting and how to minimise the risks associated with climate variability in this years grain crop. Harvest Radio caught up with Dale Baker (Graingrower from Hyden, WA and Chairman of the GRDC supported Managing Climate Variability Program), Harm Van Rees (Birchip Cropping Group, Yield Prophet), Howard Cox (QDPI, Whopper Cropper) and Peter McIntosh (CSIRO, Ocean to Grains) as part of developing the new weather page in the grains industry's premier...

This edition of Harvest Radio looks at irrigation in southern NSW and northern Victoria and focussing on the challenge of achieving 20 tonnes per hectare. To discuss the likelihood of achieving this target, Harvest Radio caught up with Bryan Clark (Irrigated Cropping Forum) and Rob Fischer (DPI VIC) to outline the aims of new irrigation research. Harvest Radio also examines potential options for growers in irrigated zones such as the potential for beds in rice bays (Geoff Beecher, NSW DPI)...

This edition of Harvest Radio concentrates on the management of nutrients in the cropping system. Harvest Radio caught up with Wayne Pluske (Nutrient Management Systems) to outline the nutrient management survey conducted as part of the initiative. Mike Bell (QDPI) discusses the application of fertilisers and implications for growers in the northern region, while Roger Armstrong (DPI Victoria) discusses matching nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to cropping demand. For more information contact: Wayne Pluske - nutrientmswa@optusnet.com.au Mike Bell - mike.bell@dpi.qld.gov.au Roger...