GRDC Publications
This section contains publications produced by the GRDC. Click on the link below to view more:
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GRDC Corporate Publications
New Publications
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Stored Grain Pests Identification - The Back Pocket Guide
24.11.2011
This GRDC identiification guide provides a snapshot of common pests found in stored grain in Australia.
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An Investigation Into Combine Harvester Fires
14.09.2011
Australian broadacre harvest conditions are arguably the most hazardous in the world for fires. Each year there are hundreds of harvester fire incidents and approximately a dozen half-million dollar-plus machines burnt to the ground at harvest. In some instances there are associated crop losses as well. Altogether the costs of harvester fires are substantial. Insurers are stepping up their insurance premiums on harvest machinery, in a land that has extreme fire hazards with the mix of combustible material, heat, often low humidity and wind at the harvest season. A spate of harvester fires on Yorke Peninsula in South Australia in the‘09/’10 harvest season triggered farmer, Police, and Country Fire Authority reactions. That included calls for harvester designers to do something to minimise harvester fire hazards. GRDC instigated an investigation of the issues around harvester fires. This report and an Ag Bureau meeting followed.
It is estimated that three-quarters of harvester fires emanate from the engine bay. Others are initiated by problems with failed bearings, or brakes, electricals, rock strikes etc. The key to avoiding harvester fires is diligence in cleandown and inspection - and, in the highest fire risk periods, to postpone paddock work. Static electricity builds up on operators and machinery in low-humidity atmospherics and is frequently blamed as a cause of harvester fires. Drag chains may reduce static charge, but the evidence however does not support static electricity as a prime cause of harvester fires. Certainly the adoption of plastic panels on modern harvesters has not aggravated the fire issue, despite vociferation to the contrary. Manufacturers and after-market suppliers provide the means to minimize the risk of harvester fires, as detailed here. The greatest need is vigilance and equipment operator diligence in a fire-prone environment.
This report addresses the issues and details hazard-recognition, procedures and equipment to avoid harvester fires.
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Back Pocket Guide - Nozzle Selection for Boom and Band Spraying
04.07.2011
Most nozzles are available as tapered-flat fans. Some are also available as even-flat fans.
Tapered-flat fans are most commonly used on booms to achieve the required double overlap.
Even-flat fans are normally used for banded spraying, under shielded sprayers and on target selectable sprayers.
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2011 Canola Blackleg Ratings
05.04.2011
Based on ACAS protocols, this blackleg resistance rating system is compiled from data supplied by all canola breeding programs and associated pathologists throughout Australia.
This national system is based on the most up to date data available and will ensure consistent ratings for Australia. Click on the link below for the Blackleg resistance ratings guide. -
A Guide To Communication For Farming Families
31.03.2011
The aim of this booklet is to increase understanding and to build communication skills among family members and their advisers.
In the years we have been working with farming families, numerous times we have heard people say, “They just need to communicate.” If it were that simple, they would! Effective communication is a skill to be learnt and continually practised.
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Wheat & Barley Leaf Symptoms: The Back Pocket Guide
30.03.2011
This guide will help you identify the causes of some of the more common and important leaf damage symptoms in wheat and barley. Leaf damage can be caused by a range of diseases, herbicides and a number of nutrient and environmental stresses. Symptoms are grouped into general visual categories making it easier to key out the possible cause of the problem.
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Wheat Rust: The Back Pocket Guide
30.03.2011
This back pocket guide is designed to help you identify the three wheat rust diseases by their different symptoms. Simply hold a suspect leaf next to the photos to identify which rust.
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Canola Diseases: The Back Pocket Guide
30.03.2011
This guide will help you identify the common root, crown and leaf diseases that cause damage to canola crops across Australia. Some of the diseases can be initially identified from paddock symptoms whilst others require a more careful inspection of the root, lower stems or leaves. Patches, or otherwise poorly performing crops, can also be caused by other factors such as poor nutrition, soil problems, insect pests or environmental stresses that are not covered in this guide.
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Cereal Root and Crown Diseases: The Back Pocket Guide
30.03.2011
This guide will help you identify the common root and crown diseases that cause damage to cereal crops across Australia. Some of the diseases can be initially identified from paddock symptoms whilst others require a more careful inspection of the roots or lower stems of infected plants. Patches, or otherwise poorly performing crops, can also be caused by other factors such as poor nutrition, soil problems, insect pests or environmental stresses that cannot be covered in this guide.
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Managing Blackleg and Sclerotinia in Canola: The Back Pocket Guide
30.03.2011
This guide will help you identify and manage blackleg and sclerotinia the two most damaging diseases to canola crops across Australia. For identification of other canola diseases refer to the “Canola Diseases Back Pocket Guide” or “Canola: The Ute Guide”.
