It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Australian grain growers are wrapping up harvest across the country and here we are, hurtling into the final days of work covered in tinsel and fuelled by coffee and Christmas-shaped treats.

In this final GroundCover article for 2024, we list the most popular reads, podcasts and videos from the year, look back on some of the stories that didn’t make the headlines, and offer a sneak peek at what’s in store for 2025.

The top stories

Here are some of the 2024 headline grabbers from GroundCover online

• GRDC leads $42M initiative to bolster biosecurity for Australia’s grain growers - a groundbreaking national biosecurity initiative set to transform the effectiveness and responsiveness of Australia’s grains biosecurity system.
• DataHarvest to unlock Australian grains RD&E data potential - a partnership with Curtin University to build expertise to advance the management of grains research, development and extension (RD&E) data for Australian grain growers.
• Genetics and AI approaches to power-up pulses – an investment that will see Australian pulse breeders gain access to advanced knowledge, tools and technologies, and novel sources of germplasm to broaden genetic diversity in pulse cultivars and drive yield gain.

What didn’t make the headlines

Not everything that happens in GRDC needs a media release or GroundCover story, but that doesn’t mean they should be forgotten altogether (sometimes it does…you be the judge).

Productivity gains

Our expert dad-joke teller finally became a dad!

Dr John Rivers, Manager Enabling Technologies, has been in training for years, and now fully lives up to his reputation. Doc Rivers regularly fills the awkward silence at meetings with fabulously corny jokes that have you wondering if it would have been better with the awkward silence (this writer thinks not).

These are some of the most recent punny jokes Doc Rivers has come up with:

"What happens when you eat too much pork crackling? You get sorghums."

"What happens when farmers relax over summer? They retain stubble."

"I over indulged over Christmas lunch, I can barley move."

He’s not the only new parent in the organisation…there have been over half a dozen bubs joining the GRDC family this year, it’s been a productive season!

Your favourite podcasts

Who knew growers enjoyed a yarn? Your favourite listens were the ‘GRDC in conversation’ series this year, with episodes from the series taking out the top three spots:

1. GRDC in conversation: Tom Coggan In this episode with Oli Le Lievre, Tom discusses the importance of communication, his approach to managing their biggest asset being people, his aspirations in the family business, succession and evolution of the farm, balancing investments in innovation with the fundamentals of on-farm decision making, succession planning and technology adoption.
2. GRDC in Conversation: Ben Taylor In this episode Ben discusses their long-term farming decisions and investment, managing a team and staff, learnings from farming culture in Canada, prioritising work-life balance and his role in establishing a grower group in his farming community.
3. GRDC in Conversation: Stuart and Lyndall Tighe In this episode Stuart and Lyndall Tighe discuss their backgrounds, supply chain optimisation and farming models, business ownership and growth, developing a product their customer cares about, mindset and dedication to business and ideas around sustainability and carbon.

Most watched videos

1. Get the most out of deep ripping: tips on choice, set up and use of deep rippers
2. Precision ag in practice: James Venning | improving input use and farm management
3. Slug control in 2024: best management practices and the hunt for smarter controls

2025 sneak peek

Refresh

As you would have seen across some of our corporate publications and other products, there is a little refresh across the GRDC brand. Nothing crazy, just adding some brighter colours and getting some more consistency to the ‘look’ of the communication work we deliver.

This will continue in 2025 with GRDC Grains Research Updates and GroundCover magazine joining our RD&E Plan 2023-23 with a brighter look.

Thank you

Lastly, we want to thank you for your engagement, curiosity and drive. Your stories, feedback and passion for grains keep us energised and focused on delivering groundbreaking research, development and extension that benefits Australia’s grain growers and the broader Australian community.

We hope you have a lovely summer break. Travel safely, stay well and we look forward to you joining us for more exciting developments in 2025.

Warmest regards and season's greetings from GRDC.