MSF Farm Talk Podcast

Mallee Sustainable Farming

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MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC & SA's low-rainfall Mallee region. For more information visit: www.msfp.org.au/podcast

12/11/2025

Test Strips, Tough Seasons: What VRT Is Really Delivering

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🎙️, host Sarah Day catches up with growers David Daniel, Adrian Bormann and Nathan Paech 🚜 to reflect on the season 🌱 and unpack their experiences with variable rate technology (VRT). Together, they explore the motivations behind running test strips and the key insights gained along the way. The growers share honest reflections on using data to guide decisions 📊, optimise inputs 💧🌾, and refine their approach for future seasons 🌤️. Listeners will come away with practical, paddock-ready advice 💡 on integrating VRT and test strips into their own farming systems. 🌾 If you want to hear more, like 👍 and subscribe 🔔 to the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🚜🎙️ This podcast episode is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and the Australian Government through funding from the National Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 min
11/13/2025

Part 2 Curiosity to Commitment - Farmers Navigating Ag Tech Adoption

🎧 Join host Chris McDonough live from the Grain Automate Expo in Loxton 🌾 as he takes you out into the paddock for a deep dive into autonomous machinery 🚜 — featuring SwarmFarm and insights from a local grower 👨‍🌾 In this episode, Chris chats with: Bailey Kilpatrick from SwarmFarm Robotics, who shares insights into how on-farm robotics can transform time, data and spraying management. Harry Brown, a Lameroo grower, who reflects on how autonomy could fit into their farming system 🙌 The Grain Automate event was supported by the GRDC and SPAA, giving growers the chance to see new tech up close, ask questions, and think critically about what fits their farming business. 🌾 If you want to hear more, like 👍 and subscribe 🔔 to the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🚜🎙️ If you missed Part 1 of this podcast, head to https://msfp.org.au/podcast/ For more information on SwarmFarm Robotics head to https://www.swarmfarm.com/ Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 min
08/14/2025

Part 1 Curiosity to Commitment - Farmers navigating ag tech adoption

Join host Chris McDonough straight from the Grain Automate Expo in Loxton as he catches up with 3 growers and a machinery reps about how farmers are tackling the big leap into ag tech. 🎧 Stick with us—there’s about 30 seconds of background noise at the start as we resolve some mic issues, but the audio improves quickly! In this episode, Chris chats indoors with: Mick Caughey, WA grower managing 5,000ha with VRT & trial strips Bryson Rudiger, Mallee farmer about his gradual shift into adopting new technologies. David Daniel, a Pinnaroo grower who shares his thoughts on the learning curve of tech Damien Fielke, machinery expert and rep, providing insights into the gear that’s getting attention. Together, they explore what it takes for farmers to move from curiosity to full commitment when adopting agricultural technology. 📌 Part 2 will take you out into the paddock for a deep dive into autonomous machinery, featuring SwarmFarm and thoughts from a local grower. 🙌 The Grain Automate event was supported by the GRDC and SPAA, giving growers the chance to see new tech up close, ask questions, and think critically about what fits their farming business. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 min
07/30/2025

Salinity and Drought - What every farmer should know

This MSF FarmTalk episode is part of the 101 Soils Questions Series. We explore the basics of dry saline land—how it forms, why it gets worse in drought years, and what steps you can take to support recovery. Dr Chris McDonough, Insight Extension for Agriculture, joins host Tanja Morgan to discuss: What causes dry saline patches to emerge or expand How rainfall and evaporation affect salt movement Realistic strategies for recovery and long-term management This conversation is a must-listen if you’re managing low rainfall mixed farming systems and need practical support navigating drought-affected salt patches. Useful Links & Resources: Dry Saline Land Resources A practical decision tool to assess your site and select appropriate management actions: 🔗 Dry Saline Land Decisions Tree 101 Soils Questions Book (Chapter on Salinity) Explore common questions and answers about managing dry saline land and other soil constraints: 🔗 101 Soils Questions Book Learn about identifying and managing Mallee Seeps (a different form of salinity): 🔗 Mallee Seeps Decision Tree This podcast episode is supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT). Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 min
07/24/2025

Tackling Compaction with Strategic Ripping

In this episode of MSF FarmTalk’s 101 Soils Questions series, we explore what’s really going on beneath the surface when it comes to compacted sandy soils. Nick Paltridge chats with Nigel Wilhelm about the causes of compaction, how to identify it, and how strategic deep ripping can improve root access to water and nutrients. They also discuss why timing, tine design, and ripping depth make a big difference to results. Whether you’re questioning if you’ve got compaction or weighing up the cost of amelioration, this episode offers practical knowledge you can use to assess your paddocks and improve decisions. 📚 Want more soil know-how? This episode is based on questions from the 101 Soils Questions book, developed with support from SAGIT. You can download your free copy from Soils Connect. This episode is part of the MSF FarmTalk – 101 Soils Questions podcast series and is proudly supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT). Special thanks to SARDI's Nigel Wilhelm for sharing his expertise. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 min
07/21/2025

Cutting through the carbon clutter

What does "building soil carbon" really mean on Mallee farms and why should you care? In this episode, we cut through the confusion and get straight to the facts. Nick Paltridge sits down with Amanda Schapel from PIRSA to unpack what soil carbon actually is, how it interacts with soil function, and what practical steps farmers can take to improve carbon levels on broad acre cropping land. We cover: The types of carbon in your soil (and which ones matter) How organic matter breaks down—and how to slow the loss Whether cover crops and stubble retention are worth it What carbon means for water-holding capacity, fertility & resilience Key limitations for increasing soil carbon in low rainfall zones If you’ve ever wondered whether carbon farming is realistic in your paddock—or just want to know how to make your soil more productive and resilient—this episode is for you. Resources mentioned:📘 Explore the 101 Soils Questions Book – www.soilsconnect.com.au 📍 Join the Soils Connect Facebook Group for weekly updates https://www.facebook.com/groups/soilsconnect This episode is part of the Farm Talk – 101 Soils Questions podcast series and is supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT). Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 min
07/17/2025

Feeding the Soil, Fueling the Farm

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we dig into what’s really happening beneath the soil surface. Soil biology expert Dr Gupta Vadakattu from CSIRO joins us to explore the hidden microbial world in our paddocks. We talk through: What soil biology actually is How microbes help crops survive drought, disease, and nutrient stress The role of stubble retention, crop diversity, and nutrients in promoting soil life Whether herbicides and drought impact soil biology Why microbes might be chewing through stubbles faster than they used to And yes… the science behind burying cotton underpants in your soil! Whether you're managing sandy soils or wondering how to build a stronger biological base for crop production, this episode offers practical insights backed by decades of research. 🔗 Want to learn more about soil biology and other soil constraints? Check out Chapter 6 of the 101 Soils Questions Book and more on the Soils Connect website: 👉 https://www.soilsconnect.com.au/resources 🎧 This podcast is part of the “Enhancing Farmer Knowledge of Soil Function to Improve Management Outcomes” project, proudly supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 min
07/14/2025

What it's really like using a SwarmBot

In this episode of MSF Farm Talk, we take a look at on-farm adoption of autonomous spraying technology. Merredin grower Brad Jones chats with Kylie Matthewson about his journey bringing Swarm Bot onto his family farm, how it’s working, what it took to get started, and whether it’s stacking up economically. Brad shares his take on why he made the switch, the efficiencies he’s seeing, and the learning curve that came with handing over the reins (or in this case, the spray boom) to automation. If you’ve been thinking about getting into autonomous machinery, or you’re curious whether it really pays off, this is one worth tuning into. Topics covered: What drove Brad to purchase a Swarm Bot How it compares with traditional spraying methods Efficiency gains and unexpected wins Downtime, learning curves, and what surprised him Future opportunities and how the system might evolve This podcast is part of the GRDC Grain Automate project, supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 min

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC & SA's low-rainfall Mallee region. For more information visit: www.msfp.org.au/podcast

Creator

Mallee Sustainable Farming
Years Active

2020 - 2025
Episodes

100
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Mallee Sustainable Farming
Show Website

MSF Farm Talk Podcast