GRDC Podcast

In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Queensland Department of Primary Industries extension officer Henry Baskerville in Toowoomba to unpack the role of extension, soil health and decision making in modern grain farming.

Although Henry didn’t grow up on a farm, a passion for agriculture, soils and working outdoors led him into the grains industry and eventually into extension. From travelling across Queensland collecting soil samples to working alongside growers on-farm, Henry shares why helping people make better decisions and being part of the learning process is what drives his work.

The conversation explores grower-led research, soil health challenges, RiskWi$e and how farmers approach risk and decision making. Henry also dives into the future of ag tech, AI, robotics and “digital twins”, while reflecting on why the people in agriculture are what keep him passionate about the industry.



This episode explores:

- How Henry’s pathway from wildlife science and dairy farming led him into the grains industry and extension

- Why soil health has become such an important focus across Australian grain growing systems

- The role of extension officers in connecting growers, researchers and practical on-farm outcomes

- Why grower-led research and participation creates stronger learning and adoption

- The importance of collaboration between researchers and growers when designing projects and trials

- How RiskWi$e is helping growers better understand risk, reward and decision making

- The hidden complexity behind grower decision making around inputs like nitrogen

- Why growers often balance profitability with environmental outcomes and long-term soil health

- The growing role of ag technology, satellite imagery and mapping tools in agriculture

- How AI, robotics and digital twins could shape the future of farming

- Why technology needs to focus on practical decision making rather than just producing more data

- The value of curiosity, adaptability and learning through doing in agriculture

- Why the people in agriculture are what continue to drive Henry’s passion for the industry



Watch this episode as a video on YouTube

https://youtu.be/9ohft-UmPCw



More information

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/agronomy/soil-and-nutrition/riskwi$e-road-tour



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:

HAG2507-001SAX

https://grdc.com.au/grdc-investments/investments/investment?code=HAG2507-001SAX
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Pigeon pea, a mainstay crop grown in India, is now being touted as an alternative summer crop for southern Queensland and northern New South Wales as its hardiness to adverse weather conditions is one of its favoured features. GRDC, Woods Seeds and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries have been running trials over several years around the Toowoomba region with Principal Research Scientist Bruce Winter and Angus Woods of Wood Seeds leading the charge.

Contacts:

Angus Woods

Woods Seeds

angus.woods@woodsgroup.com.au



Bruce Winter

Queensland DPI

bruce.winter@dpi.qld.gov.au



More Information:

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2026/03/pigeonpea-agronomy,-performance-and-system-fit

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2025/08/field-trials-confirm-the-potential-of-pigeonpea-as-a-summer-pulse-crop-for-the-northern-region

https://grdc.com.au/events/past-events/2024/07/grdc-grains-research-update-goondiwindi

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2025/11/pigeonpea-for-central-qld-agronomy-performance-and-system-fit

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/golden-opportunity-for-the-norths-hot-and-dry-spots

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/new-broadacre-summer-pulse-crop-for-queensland-and-northern-nsw



Project Code:

DAQ2511-004RTX
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Gravel and sand mulches are being tested to improve crop emergence in areas affected by challenging soil conditions, including non-wetting soils, waterlogging and salinity with some unexpected results. Ella Shaylor from SLR Agriculture explains how surface mulches can help conserve soil moisture, reduce evaporation and limit the movement of salts towards the soil surface. Local grower Jake Latham shares his experience with persistent patches where crops have struggled to germinate year after year. While gravel has performed well in previous trials, sand mulch is showing particularly promising results— raising new questions about how and why the treatment is working.

This podcast is part of a 6-part GRDC series looking at managing soil constraints in Western Australia. The project adopting innovative solutions for challenging soils is a GRDC investment led by SLR Agriculture.

Contacts:

Ella Shaylor

SLR Agriculture

ella.shaylor@slragriculture.com.au



Jake Latham

Grower

Lathja16@gmail.com



More Information:

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2026/02/gravel-mulch-improves-cereal-yield-and-water-use-efficiency-on-alkaline-sodic-soils-in-the-eastern-wheatbelt-of-wa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPqOC5zbwC8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foExvBXRFjo



Project/Investment Codes:

PLT2409-001SAX

SLR25002-001SAX
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Farm automation adoption isn’t just about technology - it depends on people. Dealers are essential in building trust, proving value in local conditions, and supporting farmers through training, service, and confidence-building. Andrew Speed has spent a lifetime in the grains industry and knows first hand not just the frustration of when technology doesn’t hit the mark, but the jubilation when it does. Now working in the precision ag team at RDO Equipment, he joins Conor McGuckian from eastern Australia’s Boekeman Machinery in a frank conversation around how growers can work with their machinery dealers to move towards an autonomous business. This GRDC podcast series is led by the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia as part of the GRDC Grain Automate Initiative.

Contacts:

Conor McGuckian

Boekeman Machinery

conor@boekemans.com.au



Andrew Speed

RDO Equipment

Andrew.Speed@rdo.com.au



More Information:

Grain Automate website

Major initiative: Grain AutomateGrain automate project round up

Momentum builds for on-farm task automation

GRDC invests $35M to drive machine automation and intelligent technology for grain growers

Grain Automate webinar: getting automation farm-ready

SPAA webinar: Paving the way for on-farm autonomy

The latest in ag tech comes to grain
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Weeds can be especially challenging in High Rainfall Zones, where favourable growing conditions can drive significant weed pressure. Agronomists Luke Wilkins and Candice Robinson share their insights about proactive weed management strategies for tough seasons, including crop competition, herbicide rotation, harvest weed seed control and emerging technologies. They also discuss changing rainfall patterns, paraquat restrictions, brome grass and the role of research in developing future weed control options.

Contacts:

Luke Wilkins

Bawdens Rural Trading

lukew@bawdensrural.com.au

Candice Robinson

Seftons

candice@seftonagronomics.com.au



Project/Investment Code:

SPP2502-001SAX
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