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 

  1. Sep 10

    Soil Amelioration: Grower Experiences - Jock's Experience on Farm

    What does soil amelioration actually look like on-farm? In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we hear from Paruna grower Jock McNeil about his experience using soil amelioration practices since 2015 to address non-wetting and other constraints across sandy soils. Jock shares what drove him to start looking at soil amelioration, after seeing crops struggle despite having moisture available in the subsoil. He talks through his experiences with deep ripping, spading, plowing and soil inversion, and how he has adapted his approach over time. Jock’s experience highlights the importance of diagnosing the constraint first, then matching the amelioration approach to the soil, paddock and farming system. This episode was recorded at MSF’s Soil Amelioration Workshop that was held in Loxton in June, where growers and researchers shared their experiences and discussed practical approaches to improving constrained soils. This is episode 1 of a 4-part mini-series of Mallee grower experiences with soil amelioration recorded at the workshop. 🎧 Take a listen to hear Jock’s experience on farm with soil amelioration. 📄Read Jock's Case Study here: Case-study-Jock-McNeil-Paruna.pdf 📘Not sure if your soil will respond to ameliorating, or what approach to take?Check out the Soil Amelioration Decision Tree: https://msfp.org.au/projects/carbon-soil-management-practices-across-the-mallee/#flipbook-df_14443/3/ 📚For more information on the project, visit the project page: Driving On-Farm Adoption of Carbon-Friendly Soil Management Practices across the Mallee - Mallee Sustainable Farming This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate Smart Agriculture program. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Soil Amelioration: Grower Experiences - Jock's Experience on Farm

  2. Aug 27

    Cultivating Change: Takeaways from Loxton's Soil Amelioration Event

    What brings farmers to a soil amelioration workshop and what do they take away from the day? In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we head back to Loxton for MSF's Soil Amelioration Workshop, held in June, which brought together farmers, researchers and advisers to share experiences and explore practical approaches to addressing soil constraints across the Mallee. Throughout the day, MSF's Kylie Matthewson caught up with attendees to find out what brought them to the workshop, what they were hoping to learn, and what stood out to them by the end of the day. Farmers and advisers discuss some of the challenges they're facing, including compaction, sandy soils, water repellence, low water and nutrient holding capacity, and variable results from practices such as delving and deep ripping. A key theme throughout the conversations was the importance of understanding the constraint before treating it. Attendees reflect on the value of targeted approaches rather than a "shotgun" approach, staging investment, protecting ground cover and monitoring results over multiple seasons. The discussions also highlight the importance of ground-truthing trial results, using soil and plant testing, considering nutrition and operational impacts, and sharing experiences with other farmers and researchers. 🎧 Take a listen to hear directly from the people who attended the workshop, find out what they heard and what they took away from the day. 📚Check out the project page for more resources, including grower case studies and a Soil Amelioration Decision Tree: Driving On-Farm Adoption of Carbon-Friendly Soil Management Practices across the Mallee - Mallee Sustainable Farming Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Cultivating Change: Takeaways from Loxton's Soil Amelioration Event

  3. Aug 13

    Lentil Weed Control Part 2: Herbicide Options, Resistance & Soil Chemistry

    What are the key herbicide considerations when managing weeds in lentils, and how can growers protect their herbicide options for the future? In Part 2 of the presentation from agronomist and WeedSmart Extension Officer Chris Davey, we continue the discussion on lentil weed management from the Mallee Research Updates. While Part 1 focused on setting lentil crops up for success through rotation, crop competition and the WeedSmart Big 6, this episode takes a closer look at herbicide options, resistance and soil chemistry. Chris explains why chemical control should be considered as part of an integrated weed management strategy, rather than the first line of defence. He discusses the importance of resistance testing, using multiple herbicide modes of action and getting the timing and application right, particularly given the limited post-emergent options available in lentils. The conversation also explores how soil type, herbicide solubility and soil binding influence pre-emergent herbicide behaviour. Chris highlights the added challenges of sandy soils, where the margin between effective weed control and crop damage can be narrow, and explains how rainfall, deep ripping and seeding systems can influence herbicide movement and crop safety. The episode also covers non-chemical options including weed wiping, desiccation and crop topping, harvest weed seed control, and the use of herbicide-tolerant lentil varieties. This episode provides practical insights for growers looking to improve lentil weed control while managing resistance and protecting crop safety. This is Part 2 of a presentation from Chris Davey. In Part 1, Chris explores soil constraints, crop rotation, crop competition and the WeedSmart Big 6. 🎧 Listen to Part 1 first, then continue with Part 2 for a deeper look at herbicide options and resistance management. This podcast episode is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Lentil Weed Control Part 2: Herbicide Options, Resistance & Soil Chemistry

  4. Jul 30

    Lentil Weed Control Part 1: Soils, Rotation and the WeedSmart Big 6

    Lentils can be one of the least competitive crops when it comes to weed control, but good planning can make all the difference. In this episode of MSF Farm Talk podcast, we revisit the Mallee Research Updates from March, where agronomist and WeedSmart Extension Officer Chris Davey explores practical strategies for managing weeds in lentil crops. This is Part 1 of a two-part series with Chris Davey on lentil weed management. Chris explains why lentils are particularly vulnerable to weed pressure and how decisions made before sowing can set crops up for success. He discusses the importance of crop rotation, improving crop competition and addressing soil constraints to give lentils the best chance of establishing and competing with weeds. The conversation also unpacks the WeedSmart Big 6, a framework for integrated weed management that combines multiple tactics to reduce weed pressure and slow the development of herbicide resistance. From herbicide strategies and double knock tactics to harvest weed seed control, Chris shares practical insights growers can apply to their own farming systems. Whether you're planning your next lentil crop or looking to strengthen your weed management strategy, this episode offers valuable advice to help improve crop competitiveness and support long-term weed control. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Chris explores in-crop weed control options and how to maximise herbicide performance. This podcast episode is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Lentil Weed Control Part 1: Soils, Rotation and the WeedSmart Big 6

  5. Jul 16

    From Trial Strips to N Decisions: VRT Forum Insights

    In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, we revisit Mallee Sustainable Farming's Variable Rate Technology Forum held in Lameroo in March, where Kylie catches up with Pete Treloar after a series of pre-seeding VRT workshops across the South Australian Mallee. Pete shares what recent trial work is revealing about applying phosphorus and nitrogen more strategically using VRT. He explains why many paddocks in a low-yielding season showed little response to additional phosphorus, how test strips can help validate decisions, and why some high-performing soil zones continue to justify greater investment. The conversation also explores how combining soil moisture, nitrogen testing, yield maps and local knowledge can help growers better target inputs, reduce unnecessary fertiliser costs and improve confidence in variable rate decisions across contrasting seasons. Whether you're already using VRT or considering where to start, this episode offers practical insights into making fertiliser decisions that are backed by data and local experience. 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. Subscribe to MSF Farm Talk so you never miss an episode! Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    From Trial Strips to N Decisions: VRT Forum Insights

  6. Jul 2

    Sandy Soils, New Solutions: Insights from Soil CRC Project

    In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, PIRSA’s Amanda Schapel shares insights from the long-running, collaborative, Soil CRC Sandy Soil Project. The project is investigating how clay and organic amendments can improve the productivity and resilience of sandy soils through literature reviews, pot trials and long-term multi-site field research. Amanda explains why sandy soils can behave so differently depending on factors such as depth to clay, grain size and rainfall environment, while also outlining the multiple constraints often present in sandy systems, including compaction, acidity, water repellence, and poor nutrient and water-holding capacity. Drawing on a review of 89 projects and 270 treatments, the episode explores how organic amendments can rapidly improve deep sandy soils, although benefits may decline after several years, while subsoil clay provides a slower but more persistent productivity response. Amanda also discusses the performance of novel amendments including bentonite, zeolite and compost products, highlighting the importance of matching amendments to specific soil constraints and balancing long-term benefits with cost-effectiveness. Project page with additional resources including research report, fact sheets and webinars: https://soilcrc.com.au/projects/new-amendments-for-sandy-soils/ This work has been supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils, whose activities are funded by the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres Program. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sandy Soils, New Solutions: Insights from Soil CRC Project

  7. Jun 18

    Exploring Crop Rotation and Legume Integration: Year 1 Insights from the Millewa - with Louise Brok

    Mallee Sustainable Farming Research Officer Louise Brok shares insights from the Millewa long-term crop rotation trial established in 2025 in the Victorian Mallee. The trial is evaluating pulse-inclusive farming systems, featuring 50% legumes across five fully phased rotations over four years. The project is investigating profitability, nitrogen fixation and fertiliser requirements, and groundcover retention. Designed for the low-organic-carbon sandy soils of the region, the work aims to test and validate farming systems that improve both productivity and resilience in high-risk environments. Despite an extremely dry 2025 season — with crops dry sown on 5 May and receiving only around 90 mm of growing-season rainfall — the trials still delivered valuable early insights. This episode explores the first-year results from the crop rotation and legume integration trial, along with additional demonstrations including wheat–vetch intercropping with varying vetch termination timings and a MAP fertiliser rate demonstration. 📄 Year 1 Results Fact Sheet: Millewa Fact Sheet Year 1📋 Legume based cropping systems project page: Legume Based Cropping Systems - Mallee Sustainable Farming This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Exploring Crop Rotation and Legume Integration: Year 1 Insights from the Millewa - with Louise Brok

  8. Jun 4

    Navigating Carbon Farming and Emissions Accounting - with Ed Scott

    In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast 🎙️, recorded at the March MSF Mallee Research Updates, Ed Scott explores how carbon farming and emissions accounting are evolving in Australian agriculture — and what it means at the farm gate. Ed discusses the shift from carbon credits toward sustainability reporting and Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and why grain buyers and supply chains are increasingly focused on emissions intensity. He also explains how tools like the GAF Tool and AIA platform can help growers benchmark performance over 3–5 years. The conversation highlights practical opportunities to reduce emissions while maintaining profitability, including improving nitrogen efficiency, incorporating legumes, increasing yield potential, and strengthening on-farm data capture and documentation. Ed also links emissions intensity to precision agriculture, discussing variable rate inputs, layering data such as yield, protein, NDVI and soil tests, and the emerging market programs and incentives shaping the future of farming. Emissions Accounting Tools:Greenhouse Accounting Frameworks (GAF) for Australian Primary Industries: Tools | Primary Industries Climate Challenges CentreAIA Environmental Accounting Platform: Home | AIA EAP This podcast episode of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program is supported by Mallee CMA and Mallee Sustainable Farming, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Navigating Carbon Farming and Emissions Accounting - with Ed Scott
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About

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 

Information

  • Creator
    Mallee Sustainable Farming
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mallee Sustainable Farming
  • Show Website
    MSF Farm Talk Podcast

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