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issue 173 november december 2024

This page shows the articles in issue 173 november december 2024 of GroundCover. As articles are developed and published online, the list below will grow until all articles are available.

GroundCover is also distributed every two months via mail. If you would like to subscribe to receive the hardcopy magazine, visit our subscription page.

36 results found:
  • Thriving growers crucial to rural success
    Thriving growers crucial to rural success
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 06 Feb 2025

    New GRDC Nuffield scholar hopes to strengthen the bond between growers and their communities

  • Cultivating tomorrow’s leaders
    Cultivating tomorrow’s leaders
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 05 Feb 2025

    GRDC investment is helping to shape a new generation of agronomists, growers and agricultural innovators with a passion for advancing the grains industry. These individuals are bringing fresh perspectives, research and a commitment to improving farming practices for future generations.

  • ‘Bolt-on’ autonomy the new shift in machinery tech
    ‘Bolt-on’ autonomy the new shift in machinery tech
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 04 Feb 2025

    The switch in focus from autonomous machines to autonomous solutions is becoming increasingly evident and was on display at AGRITECHNICA, the world’s leading agricultural machinery trade fair. Dr Jake Humpal, GRDC machine autonomy and intelligent systems manager, and Tom Giles, GRDC senior manager – enabling technologies, attended the 2023 event in Hanover, Germany. The change includes step changes in automated machine vision and equipment guidance, and digital solutions that bridge the gaps in application programming interfaces (APIs) between different hardware providers.

  • Global recognition for grains scientist
    Global recognition for grains scientist
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 03 Feb 2025

    Renowned Australian scientist and longstanding GRDC contributor Adjunct Professor Jairo Palta has been honoured as a Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America in 2024 for his exceptional contributions to crop adaptation to environmental stresses such as water deficits, waterlogging, heat, hostile soils and climate change.

  • On-farm advocacy prompts national project
    On-farm advocacy prompts national project
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 30 Jan 2025

    Trials testing long coleoptile wheat have had an unexpected benefit, showing that deep sowing can work with conventional varieties too. It has led to practice changes across the WA wheatbelt to capture moisture.

  • What is the NGN?
    What is the NGN?
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 29 Jan 2025

    GRDC’s National Grower Network (NGN) is an open community of growers and grains industry stakeholders that was established in 2021. Engaging directly with stakeholders through forums, the NGN helps GRDC develop locally relevant research, development and extension (RD&E) investments and is already scoring goals.

  • Multidisciplinary team tackles lime-loving snails
    Multidisciplinary team tackles lime-loving snails
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 28 Jan 2025

    Snails are a persistent pest for grain growers in Western Australia's Albany and Esperance Port Zones, thriving in wet conditions and exacerbated by lime applications, which promote their reproduction. A new GRDC-backed project, which is a collaboration between Dr Wei Xu of Murdoch University, Dr Kym Perry of The University of Adelaide, and SARDI, is applying the expertise of a multidisciplinary team, aiming to deliver new knowledge and new methods for snail management together with building capacity in entomology for Western Australia.

  • Decision-support tools can avoid costly under-fertilising
    Decision-support tools can avoid costly under-fertilising
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 27 Jan 2025

    Concerns about environmental impacts, cost and crop performance may be leading southern grain growers to under-fertilise, missing out on potential yield gains of up to 40 per cent. Dr Yolanda Plowman, a senior research manager at Birchip Cropping Group, encourages the use of support tools, such as Yield Prophet®, and nitrogen banking to optimise nitrogen use.

  • The quest for sorghum that will not buckle under pressure
    The quest for sorghum that will not buckle under pressure
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 23 Jan 2025

    Improved lodging resistance in sorghum is crucial for increasing crop yield potential. The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is investing in research to identify genetic traits that strengthen sorghum stems. This initiative aims to enhance the physical robustness of sorghum plants, promoting greater agricultural productivity and sustainability. By focusing on these genetic improvements, GRDC is empowering breeders to maximise yield performance, paving the way for a more resilient future in sorghum farming amidst environmental challenges.

  • Feathertop Rhodes grass marches south
    Feathertop Rhodes grass marches south
    Issue 173, November-December 2024 - 22 Jan 2025

    Southern grain growers are advised to adopt a zero-tolerance strategy against feathertop Rhodes grass. Previously a problem in northern regions, this invasive weed is spreading into new areas, including central western NSW and northern Victoria. Dr Hanwen Wu of NSW DPIRD urges Mallee and Wimmera growers to act quickly, with prevention and early detection being key in newly affected areas. Research at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute is also showing it prefers sandier soils.

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