GRDC Driving Agronomy Podcasts
GRDC Research Update Podcasts are available in MP3 file format. You need to have Windows Media Player or other media player software that supports MP3 file format. Windows Media Player comes installed on most Windows computers. If the links below do not work, you can download Windows Media Player for Windows and Macintosh users from Microsoft website.
Choosing the right variety for your farm
21.06.2010
GRDC Program Manager, Stuart Kearns
While the National Variety Trial (NVT) has gone a long way to helping farmers choose varieties, an extension to the program currently being developed will introduce a set of variables to the equation that will allow growers to more closely match trial results to their individual environmental conditions. Growers will not only look for varieties based on yield, but those that yield in similar climate, soil type and nutrient levels, soil water availability and disease pressures experienced on their own farms.
Contact: Stuart Kearns (02) 6166 4500. email
Metatags: national variety trial; nvt; nvtonline; varieties; climate; disease; soil water; nutrients; Kearns; GRDCPlant Tissue Testing - uncovering hidden hunger
14.06.2010
Research Scientist, David Lester, Agri-Science Queensland
Plant tissue testing is a relatively new opportunity for growers to assess the health and well-being of their crop during various growth stages. However, it’s thought that only a small percentage of cereal growers actually test their plants for nutrient levels. So what’s the added advantage of doing a tissue test if you’ve already done a soil test? Find out on GRDC Driving Agronomy.
Contact: David Lester (07) 4639 8886. emailMore Crop Per Drop
07.06.2010
Dr Greg Rebetzke; CSIRO Plant Industry
Getting more crop per drop is how scientists funded by GRDC describe efforts to develop cereals that perform better in a range of conditions from extra dry to extra wet. Research is underway across Australia at three managed environment facilities where for the first time scientists are able to come together and compare the results of their work, hopefully hastening the development of new germplasm and ultimately new varieties. Find out more about the managed environment facilities and the strategy behind them on GRDC Driving Agronomy.
Contact: Dr Greg Rebetzke (02) 6246 5153. emailAudio: More Crop Per Drop
Biochar - The Research
24.05.2010
Dr Evelyn Krull, CSIRO Land and Water
It’s not the ‘silver bullet’ to climate change, but if carbon trading becomes a viable income stream for farmers, biochar could play a significant part in the lives of farmers. In this edition of Driving Agronomy, senior biochar researcher, Dr Evelyn Krull describes the work being undertaken in two major research projects analysing the carbon sequestering potential and nutrient delivery potential of a range of different source materials, when converted to biochar, and how they interact with the major Australian agricultural soils.
Contact: Dr Evelyn Krull (08) 8303 8516 emailAudio: Biochar - The Research
Temperature Controlled Stripe Rust
03.05.2010
Steven Simpfendorfer, Industry and Investment NSW.
Farmers are urged to gain a better understanding of the early development of stripe rust - before it can be seen in the paddock. By being able to recognise the ideal conditions for the development of the pathogen, farmers will have longer warning of its appearance. On this program Steven Simpfendorfer explains the temperature and humidity requirements for the development of stripe rust over a specific time period.
Contact: (02) 6763 1261. emailOvercoming Pests
26.04.2010
Philip Burrill, DEEDI
There are many ways farmers can control insect infestations in stored grain. Temperature controlled sealed silos are becoming more popular as growers understand that using the chemical phosphine in unsealed storages will hasten a build up of insect populations resistant to phosphine. Storage hygiene and regular monitoring for insects anywhere they can live is another way of keeping pests out of the picture. On this program Phil Burrill tells us about some simple tools that can be used to warn us of the presence of grain insects.
Contact: Phil Burrill (07) 4660 3620 emailAudio: Overcoming Pests
Beating Aphids - Naturally
19.04.2010
Lawrence Price, Northern Grower Alliance
Timing foliar sprays to defeat aphids before too much damage is done to a crop is the key to the cost effectiveness of a post emergent chemical response to the pest. But getting the timing right is not easy. Often by the time aphids are noticed in a paddock damage has been done and predator insects are already building sufficient numbers to control the aphids making a foliar spray unnecessary and uneconomical. Early detection therefore is essential to close the gap between emergence of the aphids and detection. This program covers work undertaken by the Northern Grower Alliance in this area.
Contact: Lawrence Price. Ph: (07) 4639 5344. Em Lawrie.price@nga.org.auAudio: Beating Aphids - Naturally
Parasitic Nematodes
12.04.2010
Kirsty Owen, Agri-Science Queensland
Root lesion nematodes can do significant damage to cereal and pulse crops. The key to controlling damage is to know which nematode you have in your paddocks (the 2 common nematodes in Australia are neglectus and thornei) and at what levels. If parasitic nematode populations are at levels that will cause major damage, growers should look at selecting a variety that is resistant to the particular nematode or is at least tolerant to its presence in large numbers. Selecting resistant varieties will help reduce nematode numbers over time whereas selecting tolerant varieties will reduce crop damage but won’t help reduce nematode populations.
Contact: Kirsty Owen (07) 4639 8888 Email: kirsty.owen@deedi.qld.gov.auAudio: Parasitic Nematodes
The New NVT website is here
29.03.2010
Alan Bedggood, CEO National Variety Trials
The National Variety Trials website – www.nvtonline.com.au – has been rebuilt and is now much easier to navigate and locate information relevant to specific crops in specific areas of the Australian grain belt. On this program, National Variety Trials Chief Executive Officer, Alan Bedggood talks about some of the new features of the NVT website and encourages growers and agronomists to become familiar with the website before making variety selections later this year for the 2011 cropping season.
Contact: Alan Bedggood, CEO National Variety Trials (03) 5382 7200Audio: The New NVT website is here
Canola Conquers Acid Throttle
01.03.2010
Mark Conyers, Industry and Investment NSW, Wagga Wagga
Research conducted in southern NSW has revealed that canola plants growing in ideal conditions have the ability to punch through a sub-surface acid layer. Trials have also found that once established canola roots are not deterred by a sub-surface hardpan layer and will track sideways until they find a gap in the hardpan. Results of the research mean that farmers (at least in southern NSW) are able to avoid expensive sub-surface soil treatments.
Contact: Mark Conyers (02) 6938 1830 Email: mark.conyers@industry.nsw.gov.au
