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Industry Insights, 22 Mar 2025Farming systems trials go paddock-scale
The Southern New South Wales farming systems project has extended small-plot experiments at Condobolin, Greenethorpe, Wagga Wagga, and Urana until 2027. Enhanced research components, co-invested by GRDC, CSIRO, and NSW DPIRD, aim to optimize rain-to-grain conversion. In 2024, new rotations at Wagga Wagga were introduced to study slow-release fertilizers and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The 'Diverse Farms' initiative, added in 2024, extends small-plot results to paddock-scale trials across six farms, focusing on soil nitrogen, weeds, diseases, yields, and profit. Grassroots Agronomy consultants lead this initiative. Keep an eye out for paddock walks over the next three years for insights from researchers and growers.
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Industry Insights, 16 Mar 2025The win is in the data
WA 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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Industry Insights, 13 Mar 2025Research enthusiast sees value in ground-truthing
Seven years ago, a forward-thinking mixed farmer from southern New South Wales applied to become a GRDC panel member to ensure growers’ needs were put first
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Industry Insights, 07 Mar 2025Plant-based snacks
The Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC) conducted an extensive audit of plant-based snacks in May 2024. It analysed nearly 700 products from supermarkets in New South Wales.
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Industry Insights, 06 Mar 2025New project aims to feed the hungry plant-protein market
A new $13.6 million research project aims to capitalise on the growing plant-based protein market by ensuring Australian pulse varieties are differentiated from competitors and meet market requirements for quality, nutrition and function.
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Industry Insights, 03 Mar 2025Vale Alan Robson – a champion for agricultural science
Alan Robson, foundation director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture, has died aged 79.
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Industry Insights, 25 Feb 2025Vale Peter Nelson – Lupin reputation owes much to Mr Lupin
Leading Western Australian lupin research and extension agronomist Peter Nelson died on November 6, 2024, aged 87.
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Industry Insights, 21 Feb 2025Performance and quality bind WA wheat to the udon trade
The latest AEGIC information tour to Japan reinforced the Australian industry’s commitment to performance and quality in the discerning udon market
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Industry Insights, 29 Jan 2025What is the NGN?
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.
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Industry Insights, 10 Jan 2025Chasing the secrets to Kiwis’ high grain yields
New Zealand growers are achieving up to double the cereal yields as some Australian growers with similar rainfall. Wanting to know why, VicNoTill went on tour
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GRDC News
GRDC News
Snail and slug baiting methods put to the test
A research project is underway to aid Australian grain growers to manage snail and slug...
Growers given edge in rust ‘arms race’
Grain growers will maintain access to wheat varieties with rust resistance and be able to...
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
Impact of NVT extends beyond variety selection
The National Variety Trials (NVT) system adds value to the agricultural research pipeline in ways...
Celebrating 20 years of GRDC’s National Variety Trials
Established by GRDC in 2005, NVT has evolved into the largest coordinated variety trial network...
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
Brainstorming with other growers a path to progress
Minhamite grower Tim Whitehead has won a GRDC Hyper Yielding Crops initiative award for his...
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...
National initiative to enhance N fixation in pulses
The National Nitrogen Fixation Project will develop superior nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) strains for chickpea and...
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
Are you ready for autonomy?
With automated on-farm solutions for farm tasks now available, it is worth considering if you...
Robot sprayer proving its worth as a tireless worker
Charlie and Elsie Buchanan are using an autonomous SwarmBot to tackle weeds on their large...
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
Building resilience in a mixed farming business
As we confront changes in climate, resilience of production systems and farm businesses is becoming...
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...
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...