MSF Farm Talk Podcast Mallee Sustainable Farming

Improving Yields with VRT and Managing Technology Hurdles

The discussion revolves around the outcomes and experiences from Variable Rate Technology (VRT) workshops and field implementations in the Mallee region.

Tanja Morgan interviews experts Sean Mason and Peter Treloar, focusing on the successes in phosphorus management through VRT, the variability of rainfall effects on harvests, and the economic benefits observed across different soil types and yield scenarios.

Additionally, the conversation highlights the ongoing technological challenges farmers face, such as integrating GPS with farm equipment, and the importance of problem-solving to overcome these barriers.

The dialogue also touches on future focuses, such as mapping for acidity management and the significance of test strips for verifying farming strategies. The project is part of the efforts funded by the SA Drought Hub aimed at enhancing soil zone mapping for variable rate nutrition management, with an invitation for more participation.

00:00 Welcome to the Mallee VRT Workshop Recap00:39 Summarizing VRT Paddock Results and Insights01:29 Exploring the Impact of Variable Rainfall on Harvest03:26 Addressing Technology Hurdles in Farming04:40 Advancing Farming with Easy VRT and Zoning Techniques05:20 Tackling Soil Acidity and Crop Management06:42 The Importance of Test Strips and Future Plans07:43 Project Funding and How to Get Involved

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Navigating Frost Management: Insights and Strategies for the 2024 Season

This episode of the Better Frost Decisions podcast series delves into reflections on the 2023 season's frost experiences and discusses innovative frost management strategies for the upcoming 2024 season. Hosted by Paige Cross of Mallee Sustainable Farming, the episode features conversations with Mallee farmers Andrew Hanson and Brian Peter, who share their approaches to mitigating frost damage through farm management practices and crop selection.

Additionally, pulse researcher Sarah Day from SARDI explores the role of legumes in frost management and offers advice for incorporating pulses into farming strategies to combat frost risks.

The discussions cover personal anecdotes, the implementation of diverse farming methods to lessen frost impact, and the importance of continuous adaptation and strategic planning in farming operations.

00:00 Welcome to the Better Frost Decisions Podcast Series for 2024

00:52 Insights from Andrew Hansen: A Mallee Farmer's Frost Management

06:21 Brian Peter's Experience with Frost in 2023 and Future Strategies

09:33 Expert Advice from Sarah Day on Pulses and Frost Management

14:23 Concluding Thoughts and Looking Ahead to 2024

This podcast has been created as part of the GRDC project "Applying current knowledge to inform grower decision making to mitigate the impact of frost, now and in the future". (MSF2007-001SAX). 
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In this podcast episode, results from Anthony Rowe's vari-rate and sowing time demonstration in Millewa are discussed. Pete Treloar and Anthony Rowe talk about the outcomes presented to the Millewa agronomy group, focusing on the benefits of increasing seeding rates on sandhills for crop yield and ground cover, and the mixed results on different soils.

Despite the underwhelming response to reduced rates on heavy soils, the importance of seed over fertilizer was highlighted. The discussion also explores the role of phosphorus in vari-rate fertilization, the prospects of further optimization in seeding and fertilization strategies, and the usage of EM38 mapping for soil analysis.

Anthony mentions a sowing time trial showing significantly better yield for crops sown earlier, reinforcing the value of early and optimal sowing times.

The project, supported by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund, underscores advancements in agricultural practices aimed at bolstering profitability and sustainability in the face of drought.

00:00 Introduction to the Millewa Agronomy Group's Findings00:39 Unpacking the Results: Seeding Rates and Soil Types01:39 Exploring Nutrient Prioritization and Future Steps02:58 VRT Adoption and the Role of EM38 Mapping04:17 Sowing Time Trials: Early vs. Late Planting05:30 Concluding Remarks and Acknowledgements
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In this year's first episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we are thrilled to announce the winner of the prestigious 2024 David Roget Award for Excellence. This award is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy and contribution of David Roget, a principal research scientist at the CSIRO, who revolutionized the field by taking research out of the lab and into the paddock.

David's passion, enthusiasm, and research had a profound impact on reducing soil erosion and increasing profitability in dry land farming production systems in the Mallee. To honor his work, MSF (Mallee Sustainable Farming) has been recognizing individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the farming community each year. But this year, in 2024, we are thrilled to announce the award's very first group winner.

The recipients of the 2024 David Roget Award for Excellence is the Lowbank Ag Bureau. Tanja Morgan and Nick Paltridge caught up with them recently at a local Big Ag Day Out event in Waikerie, and we could feel the excitement and pride from the group as they discussed their journey over many years as an Ag Bureau group. 

To learn more about the Lowbank Ag Bureau and their achievements click here
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The flashback podcast episode features a discussion with Tanja Morgan from MSF and Jess Koch from Breezy Hill Ag Services in 2021. Jess has been investigating the impact of frost in the Murray Town Valley, an area prone to heavy frost conditions.

They discuss the use of precision ag data, temperature sensors, and landscape change maps in identifying frost-prone areas. Jess shares observations from the data collected, revealing that specific locations experience frost events more frequently than assumed.

She emphasizes the value of this data in making informed farming decisions, including determining areas for haying.

The episode is part of the GRDC frost extension project, aimed at enabling better frost decision-making in agriculture.

00:20 Mapping Frost Zones for Better Management

00:41 Interview with Jess Koch on Frost Mapping

00:54 Understanding the Impact of Frost on Farming

01:53 The Role of Sensors in Frost Detection

03:19 The Impact of Frost on Different Areas of the Field

04:47 The Importance of Frost Data for Farmers

05:07 Future Plans for the Frost Project

05:48 The Benefits of Frost Mapping for Farmers

06:27 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

A copy of the fact sheet written by Jess is available here
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The episode discusses the issues of Mallee seeps and introduces a new digital support tool called AgriSolve. The new tool uses satellite NDVI maps for the early identification of Mallee seeps. This tool is a product of collaborative work between MSF and independent consultant Chris McDonough with funding from the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board Grassroots Grant. 

Chris and Tanja discuss the five key steps in assessing and managing Mallee seeps and the functionality of AgriSolve in aiding this process. The podcast concludes with an offer for listeners to reach out for personal assistance with their Mallee seep issues.

00:00 Introduction to NDVI Maps and Mallee Seeps01:32 Understanding Mallee Seeps and Their Identification03:17 Introduction to AgriSolve: A New Tool for Mallee Seep Management04:03 Steps for Mallee Seep Management05:59 Success Stories and Surprising Transformations in Mallee Seep Management08:43 Introduction to AgriSolve: A New Tool for Early Seep Identification08:59 How to Use AgriSolve for Mallee Seep Identification and Management11:42 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

To view AgriSolve visit

https://agrisolve.com.au/ 

To view the Mallee Seeps Decision tree visit

https://msfp.org.au/mallee-seeps-decision-tree/ 

For more information on Mallee seeps or to seek independent advice for your own situation, contact MSF,  admin@msfp.org.au 

This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies. 
Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/
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