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

    -3 dias

    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

    37 min
  2. Avoid the smashed egg: Improve on-farm communication

    26/05

    Avoid the smashed egg: Improve on-farm communication

    GRDC’s Farm Business Updates play a big role in updating growers about farm management systems, including self-development. Dr Jane Foster teaches emotional resilience and has been a presenter at this year’s events. In this podcast Dr Foster discusses the importance of proactive communication skills on-farm to avoid conflict and keep everyone safe. Contact:          Dr Jane Foster Emotional Resilience Training jane@emotionalresiliencetraining.com.au 0425 718 632   More Information:    Mental health resources https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/farm-business/business-management/a-full-wellbeing-silo-key-to-mental-health https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/industry-insights/boundaries-key-to-preserving-mental-health,-expert-says https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/2025/skills-for-agronomists-to-handle-tough-conversations https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/2024/finding-your-feet-as-an-agronomist https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/2023/talking-mental-health-in-a-tough-year   The Farm business update in February: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/events/focus-on-farm-business-a-priority-this-february   Upcoming Farm Business updates and GRDC events: https://grdc.com.au/events/list Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 min
  3. GRDC in Conversation: Matthew Howell

    19/05

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

    14/05

    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
  5. Staying ahead of lentil diseases with strategies for healthier crops

    12/05

    Staying ahead of lentil diseases with strategies for healthier crops

    Disease prevention is pivotal in any cereal crop. This episode explores recognising and preventing diseases in lentils with research scientist Mohsen Khani from the South Australian Research and Development Institute. Lentils are often favoured because of their profitability, but diseases can undo a season's work in a matter of weeks if not kept in check. GRDC has invested in a multi -year grain legume project in South Australia, with part of that study focused on what to look for and how seasons affect disease development and progress. The SA Grain Legume project: Development and extension to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming systems benefits from grain legume production in South Australia is led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, alongside a number of project partners. Contact:    Mohsen Khani South Australian Research and Development Institute mohsen.khani@sa.gov.au   More Information:   https://grdc.com.au/search?query=%E2%80%AFUOA2105-013RTX&collection=grdc%7Esp-grdc&profile=grdc-global&form=web https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/legume-challenges-addressed    Project Investment Code:         UOA2105-013RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    11 min
  6. What we’ve learned about lentil pod loss

    10/05

    What we’ve learned about lentil pod loss

    In this episode, agronomist Sam Trengove, from Trengove Consulting, and lentil farmer Tim Millard talk about one of the greatest challenges for legume growers - lentil pod loss. Lentil pod loss can be devastating to a crop. In some instances, farmers can lose up to 60 percent and the main cause, wind, is out of their hands to control. GRDC has invested in a multi-year grain legume project in South Australia, in part looking at how to prevent such dramatic lentil seed pod losses between maturity and harvest. While researchers found no silver bullets, they emphasise controlling what you can and using harvest timing, machinery setup, and awareness of conditions to capture as much of the crop as possible, while research continues to search for longer term solutions.   In addition to the comments within this episode, agronomist Sam Trengove emphasises the question of what growers can do now in terms of timing of desiccation and timeliness of harvest with respect to wind events. He states that growers with large programs should stagger their desiccation times in line with their harvest capacity, so that they don't have all their lentil crop ready to harvest on the same day when it will take them 10 days to harvest. For example, if they have capacity to harvest 100ha of lentil per day and 1000ha of lentils to harvest, then staggering the desiccation time over a 10-day period may help to reduce the risks of having the whole crop ready and vulnerable if it is all sprayed within a couple days. A range of sowing dates and/or mix of variety maturities may also help to stagger the desiccation timing.   The South Australian Grain Legume Project, is a joint initiative between South Australian Research and Development Institute, or SARDI and GRDC, led by the South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).  Contact: Sam Trengove   Trengove Consulting Pty Ltd   samtrenny34@hotmail.com    Tim Millard  Grower in Goalpara, South Australia  tmillard01@hotmail.com   More  Information:   https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/fine-tuning-legume-agronomy-to-benefit-sa-growers   https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/closing-the-economic-yield-gap   https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/weeds-pests-diseases/chemical-regulation/herbicide-tolerant-lentils-registration-and-impacts   https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/legume-challenges-addressed   https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/less-haste,-more-speed-for-lentil-desiccation-timing       Project Code: UOA2105-013RTX   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min
  7. GRDC in Conversation: James Hillcoat

    5/05

    GRDC in Conversation: James Hillcoat

    James Hillcoat didn’t grow up on a farm. His journey began cycling five miles to a Lincolnshire farm in England, evolved through painting houses and teaching sailing in France, and eventually led him to Australian grain consulting via Marcus Oldham. Today, as a Partner at Pinion Advisory, his work sits at the intersection of profit, people and perspective. In this conversation, James shares what truly drives high-performing farm businesses, why communication is the hidden lever in family enterprises, and how emotion, succession and robotics will shape the next era of Australian grain. This episode explores: ●    What separates the top 20% of grain businesses ●    Why technical skill is only 30% of modern consulting ●    Emotion in family farming – and how to harness it productively ●    Lessons from the Country Fire Service on leadership under pressure ●    The succession challenge facing Australian agriculture ●    What “Consultant 3.0” looks like Watch this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bdIpp-iCacE Watch highlights from this episode as a video on YouTube: More information James Hillocat, Pinion Advisory: https://www.pinionadvisory.com/ https://grdc.com.au/events/past-events/2025/03/grdc-farm-business-update,-online-should-i-own-trucks-assessing-the-commercial-benefit GRC 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 min
  8. Grain Automate: The Autonomous Agronomist

    28/04

    Grain Automate: The Autonomous Agronomist

    This episode of GRDC’s Grain Automate series speaks with Tim Neale, an expert agronomist and the director of Data Farming, a precision farming company based out of Toowoomba in southern Queensland. Tim works to help the industry get smarter about how to work with technology and managing the influx of automation available now and into the future. Agronomists can spend up to 75 per cent of their time driving, which can be frustrating and unproductive, prompting many of them to look at alternative monitoring options. But Tim is quick to reiterate the autonomous solutions aren't about replacing boots on the ground. Contact:       Tim Neale Data Farming  tim@datafarming.com.au   More Information: -   https://grdc.com.au/research/partnerships-and-initiatives/major-initiatives/grain-automate -   Autonomy proves a game changer | GroundCover -   Expo steps gowers nearer to tomorrow | GroundCover -   https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/precision-agriculture-and-machinery/are-you-ready-for-autonomy -   https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/precision-agriculture-and-machinery/partnerships-and-vision-are-key-to-an-autonomous-future                        Project Code:   SPA2404-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 min
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Sobre

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

Informação

  • Autoria
    Grains Research and Development Corporation
  • Anos em atividade
    2018 - 2026
  • Episódios
    556
  • Classificação
    Para todos
  • Site do programa
    GRDC Podcast

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