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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
Queensland on the pulse with mungbean breakthrough
Queensland’s mungbean industry is set for a major boost with the launch of two new...
Snail and slug baiting methods put to the test
A research project is underway to aid Australian grain growers to manage snail and slug...
Industry consultant honoured with GRDC award
The 2025 northern GRDC Seed of Light has been awarded to Independent Consultants Australia Network...
Victorian agronomist and scientist each win grains award
Agricultural consultant Cam Nicholson and research scientist Dr Audrey Delahunty each received awards this week...
Acid soil research priorities identified
A National Soil Acidity Workshop held in Adelaide in February has identified and prioritised transformational...
GRDC regional Updates to kick off in Cunderdin
Western Australian grain growers can learn about the latest research and innovations relevant to their...
Strategic grazing with virtual fencing a viable potential weed control option
Targeted grazing using near-commercial virtual fencing devices has emerged as an effective weed control solution...
Making sense of the weather
Recent investments by GRDC in enhanced seasonal forecast information have resulted in a productivity boost...
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Agronomy
Agronomy
Request the data
When considering new varieties, requesting independent data is important.
Impact of NVT extends beyond variety selection
The National Variety Trials (NVT) system adds value to the agricultural research pipeline in ways...
Advancing cereal yield frontiers
GRDC is investing in research to identify agronomic tactics to help growers achieve yield potential,...
The quest for the perfect rhizobia–legume matches
GRDC has made a groundbreaking investment in creating the world’s largest collection of rhizobia, significantly...
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...
To plant, or not, on late summer rain?
Higher returns are possible from a farming system that can flexibly optimise sowing opportunities throughout...
Managing waterlogging is a long road travelled
Working with South Coast NRM on a GRDC-supported National Grower Network project, the Marold family...
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
Time to reflect as growers weigh up mostly positive harvest results
Grain growers from across Australia report on how the season is progressing as they gear...
NVT reflect a ‘team Australia’ approach
For two decades, trial service providers have created the region-specific data on crop performance needed...
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...
Futureproofing weed management
Data for future weed solutions is being collected by Terry Antonio and his SwarmBot
On-farm advocacy prompts national project
Trials testing long coleoptile wheat have had an unexpected benefit, showing that deep sowing can...
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
Diversity is a defence against weeds
A diverse crop sequence can cost-effectively help reduce the annual ryegrass population. From 2014 to...
Planning and timing the key to hitting summer weeds
Timing is a key factor in the control of summer weeds, which should be sprayed...
Growers warned of increased mouse activity
The National Mouse Group warns of increased mouse activity reports in the Darling Downs and...
Pressure building to find new control strategies for aphids
The need for an integrated strategy to control blue-green aphids has been heightened by the...
App helps mungbean growers manage powdery mildew
The PowderyMildewMBM app has been helping mungbean growers across Queensland and New South Wales better...
Rustproofing cereals to protect harvests
Wheat diseases cost Australian cereal growers about $1 billion a year. Stripe rust is the...
Eyes on exotic pests
Despite Australia’s stringent pre-border and border controls, exotic pests still pose a threat. Early detection...
Integrated approach to pests on-farm
To ensure pest control strategies are effective, it is crucial to diversify the approach taken...
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
Hardy barley proves its worth in rotation trials
Long-term farming systems experiments support barley as a profitable inclusion in canola and wheat rotations
Award-winning crop takes topsy-turvy seasonal conditions in its stride
Minhamite grower Tim Whitehead has won a GRDC Hyper Yielding Crops initiative award for his...
Keys unlock pulse development stages
A growth stage key that ensures indeterminate pulse crops are measured consistently has been developed....
Legumes may push a system closer to yield potential
In high-yielding environments, adding more nitrogen fertiliser may not be enough to maximise returns in...
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...
Brainstorming with other growers a path to progress
Minhamite grower Tim Whitehead has won a GRDC Hyper Yielding Crops initiative award for his...
Decline in wholegrain bread
Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend that Australian adults eat six servings of grains daily, preferably as...
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Innovation
Innovation
Autonomy proves a game changer
Speaking at a GRDC/Society of Precision Agriculture Australia webinar, Tom Longmire said a SwarmFarm robot...
Are you ready for autonomy?
With automated on-farm solutions for farm tasks now available, it is worth considering if you...
Drought-tolerant crop research
A canola variety modified to tolerate the herbicide glyphosate has been placed on the Office...
120 years of wheat in 100 metres
An extraordinary set of Australian wheat varieties dating back 120 years is being grown at...
Grains steps up preparations for GHG monitoring
With the grains industry, like agriculture more broadly, facing increasing pressure to know its carbon...
Fostering high-impact innovation in heat tolerance
GRDC has long maintained an extensive investment portfolio looking to improve the heat tolerance of...
Vale Alan Robson – a champion for agricultural science
Alan Robson, foundation director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture, has...
Research enthusiast sees value in ground-truthing
Seven years ago, a forward-thinking mixed farmer from southern New South Wales applied to become a...
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Farm business
Farm business
Study tour unveils new perspectives
A GRDC study tour for grain growers and advisers to WeedSmart Week on the Eyre...
Building resilience in a mixed farming business
As we confront changes in climate, resilience of production systems and farm businesses is becoming...
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...