GRDC Podcast

Ben White from GRDC’s Grain Storage Extension team and Peter Newman from Planfarm share a simple message: run harvesters at full capacity, and if they can't operate at full capacity, consider parking them.

Drawing on insights from a recent series of harvester setup workshops, the discussion explores how machinery capacity, grain handling logistics and storage options can work together to improve harvest efficiency.

This project is a GRDC investment led by Planfarm and delivered in collaboration with the GRDC Harvester Setup Workshops.

Contacts:

Ben White

Grain Storage Extension team

ben@bmwhite.com.au



Peter Newman

Planfarm

petern@planfarm.com.au



More Information:

GRDC video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDFwGz5muZc

Project/Investment Code:

PLN2603-001SAX
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For Jessica Zieltjes, agriculture was always part of life. Growing up in a farming family that moved from New Zealand to the New South Wales grain belt, she developed an early interest in crops, farming systems and the people behind them. But finding the right career path wasn't straightforward.

After exploring roles in cotton, rice, seed production and research agronomy, Jess eventually found her place with Grassroots Agronomy, where she works directly with growers across the Riverina.

In this conversation, she shares the experiences that shaped her career, the importance of following your instincts, and why being farmer-facing was the key to finding work she genuinely loves.

Jess also discusses the value of mentorship, learning through experience, and building confidence as a young agronomist. The conversation explores farming systems research, the role of pulses in crop rotations, emerging technologies such as optical spot spraying, and the power of strong communication across the grains industry.

At the heart of it all is a passion for continuous learning, meaningful relationships, and helping growers turn small improvements into long-term success.



This episode explores:

- Jess' journey from a farming family to a career in agronomy

- How moving from New Zealand to Australia shaped her connection to agriculture

- Why exploring different agronomy pathways helped her find the right fit

- The importance of mentorship, curiosity and continuous learning

- What independent agronomy looks like and the value of working closely with growers

- How farming systems research and pulse crops are driving on-farm change

- The technologies and innovations Jess is most excited about for the future of grain growing

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube

https://youtu.be/Y1TuSR9w4bU



More information

Grassroots Agronomy https://www.grassrootsag.com.au/



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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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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