Issue 174, January-February 2025
This page shows the articles in Issue 174, January-February 2025 of GroundCover. As articles are developed and published online, the list below will grow until all articles are available.
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Time to reflect as growers weigh up mostly positive harvest results
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 19 Mar 2025Grain growers from across Australia report on how the season is progressing as they gear up for harvest. The growers are Mitch Miolini, Mitch Henderson, Lachie Seears, Andrew Freeth and Tim Gersbach.
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The quest for the perfect rhizobia–legume matches
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 18 Mar 2025GRDC has made a groundbreaking investment in creating the world’s largest collection of rhizobia, significantly impacting the agricultural sector through soil fertility and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers. This state-of-the-art facility now hosts an impressive 11,800 rhizobia strains from more than 90 different species and at least 10 genera, positioning it as a global leader in rhizobia research and application.
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Planning and timing the key to hitting summer weeds
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 17 Mar 2025Timing is a key factor in the control of summer weeds, which should be sprayed with robust rates of herbicide when they are small and actively growing with robust rates of herbicide.
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The win is in the data
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 16 Mar 2025WA grain grower Charles Caldwell used GRDC’s Hyper Yielding Crops initiative to produce an award-winning crop two years ago and is now keen to use the data produced to improve performance and margins on average paddocks.
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Pressure building to find new control strategies for aphids
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 15 Mar 2025The need for an integrated strategy to control blue-green aphids has been heightened by the discovery of new pesticide-resistant populations in lentil crops in Victoria’s Wimmera and Mallee regions. Recent research led by Dr Evatt Chirgwin (Cesar Australia) found new resistant populations in these pulse-growing regions.
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Rust fungus trials to control flaxleaf fleabane
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 14 Mar 2025CSIRO, with the support of GRDC, has embarked on a pioneering initiative to develop biocontrol agents aimed at managing the pervasive agricultural weed flaxleaf fleabane. Recognising the detrimental impact of this weed on crop yields and farm productivity, the research focuses on innovative, sustainable solutions to mitigate its spread.
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Long-term spading benefits shine in dry season
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 12 Mar 2025Lower Eyre Peninsula grain grower David Giddings has deep-ripped and spaded his duplex sandy loam soils, mixing potassium-rich clay through hostile layers of sand and gravel for greater water-holding capacity, yield gains and improved weed control.
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Practical guidelines for sustained productivity in sandy soils
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 11 Mar 2025Sandy Soils II is a major new project to increase productivity in water-repellent, acidic, compacted and nutrient-deficient sandy soils in South Australia and Victoria. It builds on the six-year GRDC Sandy Soils investment that produced an evidence-based amelioration guide, Sandy Soils of the Southern Region.
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Strategic grazing with virtual fencing a viable potential weed control option
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 10 Mar 2025Targeted grazing using near-commercial virtual fencing devices has emerged as an effective weed control solution across various agricultural settings, including crops, pastures and summer fallows.
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Practical tips support safe, effective spraying
Issue 174, January-February 2025 - 09 Mar 2025Practical tips for responsible herbicide use with optimal calibration of boom sprays and nozzles help to reduce environment and health risks while increasing profits.