MSF Farm Talk Podcast Mallee Sustainable Farming

Can grain legumes still perform with a late start?

In this episode, Paige Cross discusses the potential for grain legume crops with Dr. Penny Roberts, the resident research manager at MSF. They explore the complexities and opportunities of planting grain legumes late in the season, focusing on crop types, subsoil moisture, and best farm practices.

Dr. Roberts shares insights on risk management strategies, the importance of inoculation, and how to ensure maximum crop performance despite a late start. Valuable tips and resources for farmers are also highlighted to support successful legume production.

00:00 Introduction and Key Questions

00:18 Meet Dr. Penny Roberts

01:04 Is It Too Late to Grow Grain Legumes?

02:15 Decision-Making for Paddock Selection

03:06 Time of Sowing Considerations

04:22 Subsoil Moisture and Sowing Tips

05:10 Farm Practices for Late Sowing

06:40 Inoculation and Rhizobia Management

09:02 Final Tips and Summary

10:45 Conclusion and Resources

For the GRDC Doubling inoculant rates fact sheet click here

SA Grain Legume Production in SA 

Grain Legume Extension Hub Victoria
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Mitigating Frost Risks: Strategies from the Frost Learning Centre

In this episode of the Better Frost Decisions podcast, host Paige Cross speaks with Ben Smith from Agrilink Agriculture Consultants about frost management strategies. They discuss the work being done at the Frost Learning Centre in South Australia, including the role of phenology in mitigating frost risks. Ben shares insights on the importance of understanding frost zones, developmental drivers such as temperature sensitivity, photoperiod, and vernalization, as well as strategies like varietal mixtures and timing of seeding.

The conversation also highlights ongoing research and trials aimed at improving frost outcomes in various crops.

Join the discussion for valuable tips and updates on navigating frost management in agriculture.

00:00 Unlocking Frost Management Strategies

00:22 Welcome to the Better Frost Decisions Podcast00:59 Insights from the Frost Learning Centre

03:44 Exploring Phenology and Frost Mitigation

09:03 Advanced Frost Research and Future Directions

10:12 Reflecting on the 2023 Season and Frost Management Outcomes

17:04 Looking Ahead: Frost Management Strategies for the Future

18:40 Wrapping Up: Insights and Acknowledgments
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Navigating Climate Uncertainty in Agriculture for 2024

In this second episode of the 'Better Frost Decisions Podcast' for 2024, hosted by Paige Cross of Mallee Sustainable Farming, the focus is on demystifying climate drivers and their implications for agricultural planning and decision-making.

Joined by Peter Hayman, Principal Scientist at the South Australian Research and Development Institute, the discussion centres on the challenges of forecasting climate conditions, particularly in autumn, and the current neutral El Nino Southern Oscillation Index and what it implies for the upcoming season in southern Australia. They explore the importance of being cautious with autumn forecasts, acknowledging farmers' need for rain and the strategy of dry seeding amidst uncertain weather conditions.

The conversation also touches on climate drivers like the Indian Ocean Dipole and the nuances of making agricultural decisions based on probabilistic forecasts. The episode emphasizes the value of farmer experience and peer learning in decision-making processes, particularly in relation to frost management and preparing for weather-related risks.

It concludes with acknowledgments for the support from GRDC and a reminder of the ongoing project aimed at mitigating the impact of frost through informed decision-making.

00:00 Introduction to Climate Forecasting Challenges

00:27 Welcome to the Better Frost Decisions Podcast

00:47 Expert Insights on Seasonal Climate Outlook for 2024

01:20 Understanding Climate Drivers and Their Impact

03:50 Strategies for Farming in Uncertain Weather Conditions

06:19 The Role of Climate Models and Seasonal Forecasts

09:09 The Importance of Community and Peer Learning in Agriculture

15:43 Frost Management and Weather-Related Risks Discussion

19:43 Concluding Remarks and Acknowledgments

To read the latest issue of the Better Frost Decisions Newsletter click here
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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

To learn more about this project visit the MSF website click here
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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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