issue 172 september october 2024
This page shows the articles in issue 172 september october 2024 of GroundCover. As articles are developed and published online, the list below will grow until all articles are available.
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Wet years a potential challenge for global market requirements
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 13 Nov 2024Wetter-than-normal conditions in recent years highlight a potential certification challenge with aerial spraying. Sustainable Grain Australia (SGA) is working to clarify that. SGA, in conjunction with CBH in Western Australia, acts on behalf of Australian growers and traders to help manage certification requirements and expectations. It was discussed at a GRDC webinar, which came about after the topic of aerial applications was raised at several recent National Grower Network meetings.
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Getting the most from aerial spraying
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 12 Nov 2024Achieving the best crop management outcomes possible with aerial applications was discussed at a GRDC webinar, which came about after the topic of aerial applications was raised at several recent National Grower Network meetings. Advantages of aerial applications, include quicker application and access during wet years. Communication with the operator is key to obtaining the best possible results. This centres on defining the spray parameters, which includes ensuring a product is registered for aerial application and the operating environment on-farm for the aircraft.
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The future is here – automated drone docks coming to a farm near you
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 11 Nov 2024A new kind of drone operator licence called BVLOS – Beyond Visual Line of Sight – allows operators to place autonomous drone docking stations within farming locations. They will be supervised remotely, without the need for a pilot to attend the site. This was discussed at a GRDC webinar, which came about after the topic of aerial applications was raised at several recent National Grower Network meetings.
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Storage alleviates logistical choking points
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 07 Nov 2024On-farm grain storage plays an increasingly important role in cropping and other grain-related businesses. Tristan Nitschke, Andy Tucker and Drew Hennessy discuss challenges and opportunities
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New plan to boost grains biosecurity
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 06 Nov 2024A national biosecurity plan has been launched at the Australian Grains Industry Conference in Melbourne in July. It has a range of targeted activities and investments to safeguard the $32 billion grains industry and protect growers’ businesses from exotic pest threats. The plan’s development was led by Plant Health Australia (PHA), the coordinator of the Australian plant biosecurity system, with support from Grain Producers Australia (GPA), GRDC and Grain Growers Ltd.
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From paddock to pint
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 05 Nov 2024Rocky Ridge Brewery has partnered with Tolga Farm to create a closed-loop, sustainable brewing process. Drawing on the expertise of GRDC’s National Grain Storage Extension Project, the brewery has ensured optimal storage conditions for malted grain, reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency.
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Insect control and effective fumigation help guard your harvest
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 04 Nov 2024As pests such as weevils and other stored-product beetles become less susceptible to phosphine, there is growing concern over its future effectiveness as a primary fumigant for stored grain in Australia.
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Healthy-looking crops point to a promising harvest
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 01 Nov 2024Growers across Australia report on how the season is shaping up in this fourth instalment for 2024. For most, the season is looking good with healthy crops pointing to what could be a healthy harvest.
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RiskWi$e headed west to talk through results and goals
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 31 Oct 2024The RiskWi$e team travelled to Western Australia in July, bringing together grower groups and researchers from across Australia to talk about goals for this new initiative. The WA grower groups partnering with GGA were excited about the participatory approach to RiskWise. Those groups are Stirlings to Coast Farmers, South-East Premium Wheat Growers Association, Facey Group, Corrigin Farm Improvement Group, Western Australian No-Tillage Farmers Association, Liebe Group, West Midlands Group and Mingenew Irwin Group. They have chosen to research nitrogen decisions, sowing decisions and machinery investment decisions.
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A clean approach to pest management
Issue 172, September-October 2024 - 29 Oct 2024Non-chemical methods for protecting stored grain include good hygiene to prevent and control insects. GRDC Grain Storage Extension national coordinator Chris Warrick says research by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ post-harvest research team shows the most effective time to undertake a whole-of-site clean-up is in the winter months, when insect breeding and migration are lowest. He also recommends a structural treatment post-clean-up in silos and equipment using a product such as diatomaceous earth (DE) – a fossilised algae dust that dehydrates and kills insects without residue issues.