The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship Program provides a bursary of $5000 a year during the final two years of a degree, along with professional development, work placements and networking opportunities. 

Supported by the GRDC, the scholarship program fosters the next generation of agricultural leaders who are interested in contributing to the Australian grains industry's success. 

In this podcast, we hear from Horizon scholarship recipient, Grace Moloney on how the experience has opened doors for her professionally here in Australia and abroad. 

Download the transcript for this episode. 

Contact 

Grace Moloney, AgriFutures Horizon scholar 

[email protected]

More information 

• Cold, wet conditions an eye-opener for travelling grains scholar
• AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship

GRDC investment code 

RDC2303-002AWX

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In this episode, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with Mike Ewing, a scientist with over 40 years of experience in agricultural research, particularly in farming systems, break crops and whole-farm profitability.  

Mike discusses his long-standing passion for plants and their unique adaptations, especially in the challenging environment of Western Australia's grain-growing regions. He shares insights from his career that has trotted the globe and ultimately landed him back in Western Australia to transform the agriculture industry. His research helped introduce and integrate lupins into the farming system as a sustainable legume crop. 

Through collaboration between researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders Mike believes the models and systems they work on together can drive meaningful innovation for the future. 

Download the transcript for this episode 

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube 

More information: 

• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) 
• Cottesloe Coast Care

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. 

GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX 

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Mouse populations across a large part of grain growing regions were higher than average across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, requiring an increased effort in mouse management from growers. 

To help Australian grain growers reduce crop losses due to mouse damage, a GRDC investment is examining mouse bait application techniques to better understand the performance and likely efficacy of various options. 

In this episode, we’re joined by agricultural research engineer Ben White who is leading the project team, as well as CSIRO mouse expert Steve Henry who starts us off with a bit of a history lesson. 

Download the transcript for this episode

Contact: 

Steve Henry, Mouse expert 

CSIRO 

[email protected] 

Ben White, Agricultural research engineer 

[email protected] 

More information: 

Bait spreading methods examined to combat mouse damage in crops 

Mouse tracking project in WA 

Project Codes: 

BVW2302-001SAX 

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In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre speaks with Steve Davies, a soil scientist and researcher based in Western Australia. Steve’s love of dirt spawned from his quirky teacher in high school. That small moment budded into a 20+ year career investigating how to make grain farming more sustainable and productive. 

In this episode, Steve explains how he collaborates with researchers, advisers and growers to address some of the west’s most challenging soil constraints. He also reflects on the evolution of the industry, crediting growers' contributions to advancements and discussing the incremental and significant changes in agricultural practices.  

Download the transcript for this episode 

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube 

More information: 

• CSIRO  
• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) 
• University of Western Australia
• Urrbrae Agricultural High School

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. 

GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX

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Being an agronomist is a role with many hats, and while the in season can be demanding, with the right network and support it can be hugely rewarding work.  

In this podcast we hear from two successful agronomists that came to the profession in very different ways, Meteora Agronomic Consulting independent agronomist Liz Lobsey and Platinum Ag Services senior agronomist Matthew Howell. They have their own unique stories and recommendations for anyone starting their agronomy career. 

Download the transcript for this episode.

Contact

Liz Lobsey - Independent agronomist 

Meteora Agronomic Consulting 

[email protected]

Matthew Howell - Senior agronomist

Platinum Ag Services

[email protected]

More information 

• Help never far away in the wide-ranging agronomy network

GRDC investment code 

ORM1906-002SAX

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In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre talks to Ryan Skamp, a former carpenter-turned-farmer and co-founder of an ag-tech startup. Ryan shares his unconventional journey from city life in Perth to establishing a career in agriculture, driven by a passion for problem-solving and efficiency.  

Now the co-founder of "Skan," Ryan and his team develop technology solutions to optimise farm operations, cutting down on inefficiencies and offering time-saving tools to farmers. This episode provides insights into his transition from a tradie lifestyle to farming and entrepreneurship, the challenges of work-life balance in agriculture, and his vision for innovation in the industry. 

Download the transcript for this episode 

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube 

More information: 

• GRDC GroundUp Program 

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. 

GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX 

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Rhizoctonia is a soil borne disease that causes a huge impact for farmers in Australia, particularly in the low and medium rainfall zones, with yield loss in the vicinity of $150 million for wheat and barley annually. 

With GRDC investment, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia is developing disease risk and management strategies that are practical and economical for growers to reduce the impact of rhizoctonia in the Southern and Western cereal growing regions. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Daniel Hüberli from DPIRD to learn about the integrated and cost-effective approach of cultural, chemical and biological management strategies that the research team is working to create. 

Download the transcript for this episode.

Contact: 

Dr Daniel Hüberli  

Research Scientist, DPIRD 

[email protected]

More information: 

Epidemiology and management of Rhizoctonia in low and medium rainfall zones  

New project to reduce Rhizoctonia impact in low and medium rainfall zones 

Project Codes: 

DAW2206-006RTX

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In this episode of GRDC’s In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre chats with Erin Cahill. Erin is a fourth-generation farmer and agronomist from Moora, Western Australia. Erin shares his journey from working with agronomy giant CSBP to starting his own farming business which started with a few humble hectares and scaled drastically through the years.  

It hasn’t been without challenge though. His farm has been at the mercy of Western Australia's varying soil types and weather. But through the evolution of precision agriculture, and the role of agronomy in making informed decisions for farm profitability, Erin shares how you can stand out as WA farmers in this trying Australian agricultural landscape. 

Tune in to hear Erin’s insights on farming, agronomy, and the importance of staying ahead in an ever-evolving industry. 

Download the transcript for this episode 

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube

More information: 

• CSBP 

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. 

GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX 

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For many farmers, it’s been a tight finish to the season due to dry conditions or frost. This makes preparing the books and finances for the year ahead more challenging, but as we’ll explore in this podcast, help is available and there are practical steps you can take to get ahead. Tony Hudson is the Director and Founder of Hudson Facilitation. A key part of his business is private financial consulting for farmers across Australia and he has practical advice to share on forward planning with reduced seasonal returns. 

Download the transcript for this episode.

Contact:

Tony Hudson 

[email protected]

More  Information:

‘Planning forward on reduced seasonal returns’ webinar, GRDC Farm Business Update online 

Project Code:

ORM2401-001SAX

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More about this podcast 

In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, we’re joined by Brianna Peake, Chief Stakeholder Relations Sustainability and Strategy Officer at CBH Group. Brianna’s journey of growing up in Western Australia, shapes how she approaches sustainability today in one of nation’s largest agricultural cooperatives. Enriched with travel and a diverse set of experiences she shares her leadership style and how it aims to address the rapid needs of the industry. We explore her thoughts on women in leadership, the role of cooperatives in sustainability, and the importance of professionals in ag. 

Download the transcript for this episode 

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f3gbskXMRZU

More information

• CBH Group 
• Australian Rural Leadership Program 

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties. 

GRDC Project Code: HAG2308-001SAX 

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When a new variety of lentil came out that was a bit more boron tolerant, Scott Wandel thought it was time to give the legume another go. Farming at Mount Ridley, near Grass Patch in WA, Scott increased the hectares planted to lentils quickly after their introduction. 

As a member of SEPWA, the South East Premium Wheatgrowers Association, Scott is a part of the cohort of 'Legume Leaders' that has been established by the Grower Group Alliance, with investment from GRDC. 

In this episode, Scott tells us how a trip to Horsham in Victoria inspired him to give lentils a go. 

Download the transcript for this episode.

Contact: 

Scott Wandel 

Grower 

[email protected] 

More information: 

Closing the economic yield gap of grain legumes in WA 

Legume Leader bios and contact details 

Project Code: 

GGA2110-002SAX 

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