GRDC Podcast

Grains Research and Development Corporation

GRDC podcasts cover the latest grains research, development and extension knowledge and outcomes to help grain growers improve their profitability.

  1. GRDC in Conversation: Jessica Koch

    2 June

    GRDC in Conversation: Jessica Koch

    Jessica Koch grew up around farming and technology, developing an early interest in precision agriculture as a way to better understand variability in low rainfall environments. What began as curiosity about soils, mapping and machinery has evolved into a career focused on helping growers make clearer, more confident decisions using the right information at the right time. Now a precision agriculture consultant, grower and founder of Breezy Hill Precision Ag Consulting, Jess reflects on her journey from working at a local John Deere dealership to building her own business and backing herself to step out independently. She shares a practical perspective on precision ag - not as perfection, but as using available tools and data to reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making. Beyond the farm gate, Jess discusses her involvement with SPAA and her role in establishing Ladies on the Land in South Australia’s Upper North, highlighting the importance of creating spaces where people feel included, supported and confident to build skills and contribute. This episode explores: - What precision agriculture really means in practice - How Jess built a career in precision ag through dealerships, consulting and on-farm experience - Why facts and good information lead to better, more confident decisions - How a leadership program helped Jess back herself and build her own consulting business - The role of self-awareness, humour and energy in leadership and communication - Why Ladies on the Land was created and the impact it has had in regional communities - How women can build confidence, farm knowledge and stronger pathways into business and leadership - Why precision ag doesn’t have to start with expensive tools, but with better use of the data already on hand - How drought shaped decision making and reinforced the value of practical, low-cost precision ag - Why autonomy, spot spraying and better farm data systems are exciting the next wave of ag innovation Watch this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pfN9ceGUzWQ More information https://www.breezyhillpas.com/ https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2022/08/using-common-precision-ag-data-layers-to-accurately-and-economically-ground-truth 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 Project Code: HAG2507-001SAX https://grdc.com.au/grdc-investments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  2. GRDC in Conversation: Matthew Howell

    19 May

    GRDC in Conversation: Matthew Howell

    Matthew Howell is an agronomist, grower and regional advocate based in South Australia’s Upper South East. Over the past two decades, he has worked alongside growers through a major shift from mixed farming to large-scale continuous cropping, driven by rainfall, soil development and opportunity. In this conversation, Matt reflects on his journey from Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula to building a life and career in Meningie, sharing what it’s been like to work in a rapidly changing region where former dairy country has been converted to broadacre cropping and growers have had to adapt quickly. Matt speaks to the value of being actively involved through agronomy, mentoring, trials and advocacy. He explores what real practice change looks like, how tough seasons sharpen learning, and why regional leadership matters, highlighting the balance between profitability and sustainability and the need for stronger support in precision ag, data and training. This episode explores: How Matt’s upbringing in Cummins shaped his connection to agriculture and regional community Why he moved to the Upper South East and what kept him there How the Meningie region shifted from mixed farming and dairy into large-scale cropping What it actually takes to convert farming systems at scale Why profitability and sustainability are driving decisions more than market hype What tough seasons reveal about water use efficiency, management and system weaknesses How local innovation sites and farmer-led trials can accelerate regional learning Why Matt believes regional communities thrive when farms are profitable and successful What holds back wider adoption of variable rate technology and precision ag How the next generation of agronomists will need both technical skill and people skills Why speaking up, getting involved and influencing policy matters for regional agriculture Watch this episode as a video on YouTube https://youtu.be/_rNR6XSV2u8 More information 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. More info: https://grdc.com.au Subscribe: https://grdc.com.au/grdc-subscriptions For LIVE Events go to https://grdc.com.au/events/list Get the latest from GroundCover: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  3. Keeping crops clean and productive with disease management in faba and broad beans

    14 May

    Keeping crops clean and productive with disease management in faba and broad beans

    Controlling disease in crops has traditionally been the ultimate game of chance. However, work being done in faba and broad bean crops in South Australia has taken some of the risk out of the equation. In this episode, Max Bloomfield, a research manager at Field Applied Research Australia or FAR Australia explores strategies to manage major foliar and soil-borne diseases in faba and broad beans, reducing yield losses and improving profitability. Max and his team were involved in the South Australian Grain Legume Project, a joint initiative between South Australian Research and Development Institute, or SARDI and GRDC, looking specifically at keeping faba and broad bean crops clean and productive and led by the South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA). Contact:            Max Bloomfield FAR Australia Max.bloomfield@faraustralia.com.au   More Information:     https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/nvt-crop-sowing-guides/sa-crop-sowing-guide https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/closing-the-economic-yield-gap https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/legume-challenges-addressed https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/grain-legumes-initiative-aims-to-close-the-yield-gap-in-sa https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/past-update-proceedings/2026/grdc-grains-research-update-bendigo-2026   Project Code:    UOA2105-013RTX https://grdc.com.au/grdc-investments/investments/investment?code=UOA2105-013RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

GRDC podcasts cover the latest grains research, development and extension knowledge and outcomes to help grain growers improve their profitability.

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