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Available Episodes

5 of 519

How to collect a rust sample
Have you ever wondered how to collect the perfect sample of cereal rust? This is the episode for you. Listen as Matthew Williams and Margarita Paatelainen from the Australian Cereal Rust survey team at the University of Sydney’s Plant Breeding Institute give a detailed description on how to gather and prepare rust samples from the paddock for postage. You’ll also hear from Dr Mumta Chhetri who leads the project. They analyse up to 1700 rust samples per year sent by growers and their agronomists from all over Australia, a vital GRDC investment. Contact: Dr Mumta Chhetri Research Fellow in Cereal Rust Pathology, University of Sydney [email protected] Matthew Williams Australian Cereal Rust Survey Team [email protected] Margerita Pietilainen Australian Cereal Rust Survey Team [email protected] More Information: More information on the Australian Cereal Rust Survey: https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/our-research/research-areas/life-and-environmental-sciences/cereal-rust-research/rust-reports.html Visit the Australian Cereal Rust Survey 2025 Pathogen Map (interactive): https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1O9jxjzCUzlallX_981PIlJEuvWPTYvQ&ll=0%2C0&z=4 GRDC’s rust sample collection guide: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/all-publications/factsheets/2025/how-to-collect-a-rust-sample Or log into https://my.grdc.com.au/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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13:55
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13:55
Breeding ground for disease resistance
This episode explores the rise in fungicide resistance in Australian crops like wheat and barley by discussing work being done at Horsham Smart Farm in the Wimmera region of Victoria. Scientists from the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN) including plant pathology research leader Dr Joshua Fanning and research scientist Melissa Cook are intentionally creating conditions to attract diseases to help decipher which varieties are more susceptible to disease. The Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN) is a GRDC investment led by Curtin University. Contact: Dr Joshua Fanning Plant Pathology Research Leader, Agriculture Victoria [email protected] More information: AFREN website Horsham Smart Farm Groundcover article - Finding strategies to preserve disease resistance Agriculture Victoria - Cereal disease guide 2025 GRDC - Wheat disease update- rust and Septoria Project Code: CUR2302-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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15:12
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15:12
GRDC in Conversation: Julianne Hill
With farming roots deep in the south coast of WA, Julianne Hill’s career path has taken many twists and turns. Supporting farmers to reach their full potential has always been her focus, and that’s helped greatly by the long-term relationships she’s built over many rides in headers and cups of tea around kitchen tables. Having led the GRDC grower networks for more than a decade, she knows the impact meaningful research can have on on-farm outcomes. In this episode of GRDC In Conversation, host Oli Le Lievre chats with Julianne about the challenges of starting farming from scratch, the loss of identity she felt after selling her farm and what life after farming looks like for Julianne, which is just as energised as ever! 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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36:15
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36:15
To spray or not to spray?
Think twice when it comes to prophylactic spraying. That's the advice to southern growers this season. When disease pressure is low, reducing spraying means reducing costs. But just how should growers make the often-risky decision not to spray? To find out more we spoke to Nick Poole from FAR Australia and the Australian Fungicide Resistance Network, otherwise known as AFREN. Contact: Nick Poole FAR Australia & AFREN [email protected] More Information: AFREN FAR Australia Project Investment Code: UR2302-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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17:02
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17:02
Look out for barley scald in Western Australia
Growers in Western Australia need to be on the lookout for barley scald as it is increasing in prevalence and severity, including virulence onto varieties that have previously been rated as resistant. In this podcast we talk to senior research scientists at WA's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Andrea Hills and Dr Kithsiri Jayasena about what growers can do to combat barley scald in the season ahead. AFREN is a GRDC initiative to empower growers to mitigate the impact of fungicide resistance in Australian crops. WA DPIRD is a partner in this network, which is coordinated by the CCDM at Curtin University. Contacts: Andrea Hills, DPRID [email protected] Dr Kithsiri Jayasena, DPIRD [email protected] More Information: AFREN AFREN Management Guide Understanding Funcicide Resistance Fungicide resistance in barley Project Investment Code: CUR2302-002RTX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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10:36
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10:36