GRDC Podcast

In 2023, a devastating paddock fire left Popanyinning grower, Tim Haslam, with burns to 38 per cent of his body. He shares his remarkable story of survival and three key safety lessons that all growers should know ahead of harvest.

Tim chairs The Farming Collective for farmers to raise money for life-changing burns research. Farmers can nominate grain on the Fiona Wood Foundation website, or at the CBH load net.

This podcast is part of the Farm Safety Series, a GRDC investment led by AgCommunicators in partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health and ifarmwell, Adelaide University. The investment aims to start the conversation on farm safety and raise awareness of safety on grain farms across Australia.

GRDC’s Farm Safety series is a collection of articles, videos and podcasts focusing on the different perspectives of farm safety of growers across Australia. It features in-depth interviews with growers who share experiences, near-misses and events that have shaped their approach to farm safety and how they mitigate risk on their farm or the business they work for. The views, opinions and experiences shared by interviewees are made solely in a personal capacity unless stated otherwise and do not necessarily reflect the endorsement, views or policies of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, any entity with which they may be affiliated or other associated parties.

Contact:

Tim Haslam Grower, Popanyinning WA haslams1@bordernet.com.au



More Information:

ifarmwell https://ifarmwell.com.au/

National Centre for Farmer Health https://farmerhealth.org.au/

Fiona Wood Foundation https://www.fionawoodfoundation.org.au/

Project/Investment Code:

ACO2503-005SAX
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Twin siblings, Cassidy and Kade Smith, share the workplace health and safety changes they have made following a motorbike accident on their family property in Yealering, Western Australia. The survey referenced in this video was conducted by Cassidy on behalf of Safe Farms WA as part of a workplace placement program with Marcus Oldham College.

This podcast is part of the Farm Safety Series, a GRDC investment led by
AgCommunicators in partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health and ifarmwell, Adelaide University. The investment aims to start the conversation on farm safety and raise awareness of safety on grain farms across Australia.

GRDC’s Farm Safety series is a collection of articles, videos and podcasts focusing on the different perspectives of farm safety of growers across Australia. It features in-depth interviews with growers who share experiences, near-misses and events that have shaped their approach to farm safety and how they mitigate risk on their farm or the business they work for. The views, opinions and experiences shared by interviewees are made solely in a personal capacity unless stated otherwise and do not necessarily reflect the endorsement, views or policies of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, any entity with which they may be affiliated or other associated parties.

Contact:

Cassidy Smith
Grower, Yealering WA

cassmith200@gmail.com



More Information:

ifarmwell https://ifarmwell.com.au/

National Centre for Farmer Health https://farmerhealth.org.au/

Safe Farms WA https://safefarms.net.au/



Project/Investment Code:

ACO2503-005SAX
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Angus Butterfield is a Senior Research Agronomist with Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) in north-west Victoria. Originally from Melbourne, Angus found his way into agriculture through a combination of curiosity, opportunity and a growing interest in agronomy. Since joining BCG as a graduate, he has built experience across a wide range of research and extension projects, working alongside growers, researchers and industry partners throughout the Mallee, Wimmera and beyond.

In this conversation, Angus reflects on his journey into agriculture, the
opportunities that come from working in a farming systems group, and the value of being closely connected to growers and the challenges they face. He shares insights into the diversity of projects underway at BCG, from weed management and herbicide resistance through to pulse production, crop establishment and farming systems research.

Angus also discusses the importance of innovation in agriculture, the role research plays in supporting grower decision-making, and why he remains optimistic about the future of the grains industry. From emerging technologies and new crop genetics to the next generation of agronomists, he highlights the opportunities that continue to shape Australian grain production.



This episode explores:

- How a Melbourne student found his way to Birchip and a career in agronomy

- Why working in a farming systems group accelerated Angus' learning and development

- The role BCG plays in connecting research with growers across north-west Victoria

- How growers in low-rainfall environments continue to innovate and adapt

- Current research into weed management, herbicide resistance and future control options

- The opportunities and challenges facing the next generation of agronomists

- What excites Angus most about the future of the Australian grains industry



Watch this episode as a video on YouTube

https://youtu.be/oUJRjJnzi_E

More information

Angus Butterfield, Birchip Cropping Group
https://www.bcg.org.au/our-team/angus-butterfield/

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/agronomy/soil-and-nutrition/trials-assess-the-benefits-of-vetch



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
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92,000 hectares of canola has been planted into canola stubble this year. Blackleg pathologist from the University of Melbourne, Associate Professor Angela Van de Wouw, Western Australian agronomist Geoff Fosbery, and plant breeder Raymond Cowley explain why the risks of canola-on-canola far outweigh any short-term benefits.

The Disease Management Extension Network (DMEN) is a GRDC investment bringing together plant pathologists, extension specialists and behavioural scientists to improve disease management outcomes for Australian grain growers and advisers.



Contacts:

Angela Van de WouwThe University of Melbourne

apvdw2@unimelb.edu.au

Geoff Fosbery

Farm Focus Consultants

gf@consultag.com.au

Raymond Cowley

Pioneer Seeds

raymond.cowley@vylor.com

More Information:

GroundCover article Record canola on canola plantings put sector at risk: https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/announcements/record-canola-on-canola-plantings-put-sector-at-risk



Project/Investment Code:

ACO2601-005RTX
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Ben White and Chris Warrick from GRDC’s grain storage extension team discuss practical grain storage best practice, including fumigation timing, safe application of chemicals, ventilation and withholding periods, as well as the effective use of diatomaceous earth (DE) for storage hygiene. They share recent research and practical tips to help growers manage insects, reduce resistance risks and improve workplace safety.

Contacts:

Chris Warrick

Candid Consulting Services

chris@primarybusiness.com.au

Ben White

BM White

ben@bmwhite.com.au

More Information:

The fumigation process in grain storage video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvHTUD6OFnc

Dust masks and eye protection: Grain storage safety essentials video

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

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) application in sheds and silos video

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

Fumigation timing for stored grain video

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

Project/Investment Code:

PRB2412-001SAX
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