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Spray Drift, 19 Dec 2023Waving a WAND to boost spraying certainty
The Weather and Networked Data (WAND) system allows growers to plan their spraying operations with more certainty. This summer spraying season is the ideal time to try WAND and take the guesswork out of spraying.
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Spray Drift, 19 Dec 2023World-first solution to combat spray drift saves growers time, money
The Weather and Networked Data (WAND) system, a pioneering Australian-developed weather data technology, has been embraced by over 2,400 grain and cotton growers and spray contractors in Queensland and New South Wales. This world-first system aims to minimize spray drift, a critical issue costing affected cotton growers an average of $254,000 in the 2022/23 season. Developed collaboratively by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) with Goanna Ag, WAND provides real-time data and a two-hour forecast to help growers spray safely.
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Spray Drift, 11 Oct 2023Workshops localise crop-spraying know-how
Technical innovations and region-specific constraints have combined to create a need for local workshops on spray application technology and drift mitigation
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Spray Drift, 11 Jul 2023Australian growers gain access to tool to better manage spray drift
Growers nationally will now be able to access a Spray Drift Management Tool (SDMT) that allows for the recalculation of spray drift buffer zones, thanks to support from the GRDC.
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Spray Drift, 01 May 2023Difference between inversions makes all the difference to spraying
Through the WAND app, growers and spray operators are getting real-time information on inversions, taking the guesswork out of spraying.
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Spray Drift, 23 Sep 2022Spray condition system to aid long-standing conundrum
By accurately determining whether hazardous inversions exist, growers will be able to take the guesswork out of spraying, leading to economic, environmental and social benefits.
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Spray Drift, 23 Aug 2022New spray technology and stewardship on show at GRDC Spray Days
New technology and the concept of an industry social licence has changed the way grain growers spray their crops and what they have to consider.
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Spray Drift, 15 Mar 2022Major partnership to deliver spray hazard warning system
The grains and cotton industries have today announced a $5.5 million investment to help minimise spray drift through a five-year partnership with Australian agtech company, Goanna Ag.
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Spray Drift, 08 Jul 2019Growers urged to focus on minimising risks of spray drift this season
Research is continuing into finding spray drift reduction techniques.
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Spray Drift, 24 May 2019Check suitability of spray water in north
Calls to test water quality before using it for application of herbicides and pesticides.
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GRDC News
GRDC News
Avoid complacency with FAW resistance
FAW, a serious pest of cereals and pulses, was discovered in Australia in February 2020...
New research shows wheat falling number may improve after storage
The research explored the possibility of falling number test results improving due to grain being...
The next generation is different
GRDC investment is supporting students who are being trained for careers across the grains industry...
Cold, wet conditions an eye-opener for travelling grains scholar
GRDC-supported student Grace Moloney is finding cropping systems in the UK, where she is on...
“Biggest event in WA grains industry” set to return in February
Next year’s event will be held on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 February and will...
GRDC National Grower Network forums back in session
Forums will take place in Emu Point, Dunsborough and Cervantes on January 13, 14 and...
Machine learning heralds a new era of functional soil mapping
The mapping pf soil constraints and plant-available water capacity has benefited significantly from consecutive GRDC...
Improving chickpea pathogen resistance
A push to improve chickpea resistance to a key yield-limiting root disease has delivered both...
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Agronomy
Agronomy
Faba bean data reduces canola area
Long-term farming systems trial results and the outcomes of a benchmarking study have given Paul...
NVT data assists crop and variety decisions
For almost two decades, National Variety Trials have been taking place across the country, providing...
Human endeavour versus soil constraints
Australian grain growers have a long history of innovation, adapting to challenging, changing climates with...
‘Moonshot’ investment tracks soil amelioration over time and space
Groundbreaking research in soil profile re-engineering, supported by GRDC and WA DPIRD, aims to tackle...
Frost research set to target ear architecture
After many years of hearing stories about wheat varieties with different-shaped ears being more tolerant...
Cell membranes key to promising frost approach
The ability of plant cell membranes to flex instead of breaking or bursting at low...
Managing waterlogging is a long road travelled
Working with South Coast NRM on a GRDC-supported National Grower Network project, the Marold family...
The continuing quest for a long-term waterlogging solution
Waterlogging is a risk cropping in the high-rainfall Esperance region in Western Australia. To manage...
World-first solution to combat spray drift saves growers time, money
The Weather and Networked Data (WAND) system, a pioneering Australian-developed weather data technology, has been...
Waving a WAND to boost spraying certainty
The Weather and Networked Data (WAND) system allows growers to plan their spraying operations with...
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Grower stories
Grower stories
Managed challenges helps season 2024 to a solid finish
Grain growers from across Australia report on how the season is progressing as they gear...
Healthy-looking crops point to a promising harvest
Growers across Australia report on how the season is shaping up in this fourth instalment...
Lessons aplenty in levelling
The benefits of levelling melon holes were discussed when the Yarrie Lake Landcare Group travelled...
Opportunity knocks for mungbeans this season
Mungbeans have been exceptional this season for south-eastern Queensland growers Peter and Kylie Bach, with...
Growing the scope of oats
The scope for oats is growing not only with developing health-conscious markets but also in...
‘Legume leader’ set to share 40 years of lupin experience
The concept of crop champions is an extension and development tool that has delivered over...
Winter canola proves profitable at Weatherboard
Ben Findlay’s farm near Weatherboard, Victoria, utilises ungrazed winter canola, specifically the hybrid RGT Nizza...
Growers networking to master faba beans
Faba bean growers are tapping the experience of researchers, agronomists and fellow growers to improve...
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Weeds, pests and diseases
Weeds, pests and diseases
Continuous cropping raises the bar for smart weed control
Lower Eyre Peninsula grain grower Jordan Wilksch uses the WeedSmart Big 6 practical strategies, such...
Four-step guide to optimal spray application
WeedSmart Week 2024 on the Eyre Peninsula highlighted four key steps in best-practice herbicide use...
The pest control balancing act
A comprehensive step-by-step guide to sustainable pest management throughout the crop growing season is now...
Invasive pest study points to improved biosecurity responses
A detailed genomic analysis of fall armyworm (FAW) has shattered assumptions about how economically important...
Early detections point to challenging year for stripe rust if favourable weather conditions persist
Australian wheat producers face significant challenges from stripe rust every season. Detections of stripe rust...
Wet springs require proactive Sclerotinia management
In wet spring conditions, western Victorian growers cannot be complacent about managing Sclerotinia in canola
Do not let this stink bug hitch a ride
Not present in Australia, the Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), (Halyomorpha halys), poses a significant...
Farm biosecurity needs vigilance
Taking steps to understand, prevent, and deal with pests, weeds and diseases is crucial for...
Grains industry scores A-plus for chemical residue compliance
Australia’s grains industry has a 99.2 per cent compliance rate with national maximum residue limits...
EU changes residue limit for haloxyfop on canola
The EU has announced it intends to reduce the MRL for haloxyfop on canola from...
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Crops
Crops
Cereal frontiers targeted in lower rainfall areas
New research is set to push the limits of water productivity and cereal yield potential...
Photosynthesis the key to new heat-tolerant crops
The ability to mass screen wheat for differences in photosynthesis efficiency at high temperatures is...
National initiative to enhance N fixation in pulses
The National Nitrogen Fixation Project will develop superior nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) strains for chickpea and...
A new framework for chickpea heat tolerance
Chickpea is Australia’s most significant pulse crop but faces considerable challenges for future expansion. High...
Understanding canola establishment to optimise yields
Establishment of any crop is foundational to its performance and, ultimately, its yield. A major...
Enquiring attitude opens opportunities
Have-a-go attitude is surprising Chloe Rout in the avenues and opportunities it can open for...
Decline in wholegrain bread
Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that Australian adults eat six servings of grains daily, preferably as...
Research makes strong case for early sown sorghum in the north
Dryland cropping research could see some growers continue to push the boundaries of the traditional...
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Innovation
Innovation
The future is here – automated drone docks coming to a farm near you
A new kind of drone operator licence called BVLOS – Beyond Visual Line of Sight...
Researcher on a machinery mission to re-engineer soils
Dr Gaus Azam’s groundbreaking research on soil re-engineering in Western Australia, supported by GRDC in...
First GM food crop listed
A canola variety modified to tolerate the herbicide glyphosate has been placed on the Office...
Genetic mechanism unlocks a key secret behind disease infection in crops
CCDM researchers have unravelled a key genetic mechanism behind the way pathogens infect crops, leading...
Fostering high-impact innovation in heat tolerance
GRDC has long maintained an extensive investment portfolio looking to improve the heat tolerance of...
Modelling to help manage temperature stress
The ability to zone paddocks relative to susceptibility to heat and frost damage is under...
That’s a wrap!
This is the final GroundCover article for 2024 and inside we offer a sneak peek...
Getting deep and meaningful with canola and wheat
CSIRO research supported by GRDC is looking at deep sowing canola and long coleoptile wheat...
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Farm business
Farm business
RiskWi$e headed west to talk through results and goals
The RiskWi$e team travelled to Western Australia in July, bringing together grower groups and researchers...
From desktop planning to paddock action
An interactive web application that allows growers to virtually test and optimise operational plans is...
Ten tips to reduce the risk of harvester fires this season
Recent GRDC Harvester Set-up Workshops run across Australia’s grain growing regions have highlighted the importance...
Selecting grain protectants this harvest
GRDC's latest cereal protectants offer enhanced pest management. Key for growers: rotating Spinosad, Deltamethrin, Fenitrothion,...
Give grain storage a pre-harvest health check
GRDC Grain Storage Extension team project lead Chris Warrick said the biggest challenge of storing...
Pest resistance raising the knowledge bar for stored grain
Ongoing research highlights the growing challenge of managing stored grain pests due to increasing insect...