GRDC Podcast

How do you know if it’s worth spraying fungicide on canola to keep diseases like Sclerotinia at bay? Maurie Street, from Grain Orana Alliance in Dubbo and Rohan Brill from Brill Ag in the Riverina, have been conducting field trials on the yield response to different spraying scenarios when dealing with Sclerotinia and discuss the logic behind making decisions at the beginning and even in the middle of a growing season.

Contacts:

Maurie Street

Grain Orana Alliance

maurie.street@grainorana.com.au



Rohan Brill

Brill Ag

rohan@brillag.com.au



More Information:

SclerotiniaCM app: https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/online-tools/sclerotinia-cm--sclerotinia-management-app/

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/weeds-pests-diseases/diseases/do-canola-fungicide-applications-always-pay

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/announcements/fungicide-use-may-be-placing-canola-production-at-risk

https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/2021/fungicide-resistance-in-canola-crops-with-dr-steve-marcroft

https://afren.com.au/fungicides-available-for-australian-grain-crops-and-their-modes-of-action/

https://afren.com.au/research-fast-tracked-to-arrest-rising-blackleg-resistance/

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/weeds-pests-diseases/weeds/grdc-builds-a-team-australia-to-bolster-weed-research
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With seasons and environmental challenges often stacked against them, the Schaefer family’s determination to succeed in a sustainable manner has seen them adopt technologies, including precision agriculture practices. Robin’s long family association with farming in the northern Mallee region of South Australia has meant pivoting the business several times to keep pace with technology. His experience in transitioning from a precision agriculture model to an automated one is aligned with the principles of the Grain Automate initiative. This GRDC Grain Automate podcast series is led by the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia or SPAA, as part of the GRDC Grain Automate Initiative.

Contact:

Robin Shaefer

Grower around Loxton, northern Mallee district

robin.schaefer@bullaburra.net.au

More Information:

https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/2026/grain-automate-from-data-to-decisions

https://grainautomate.grdc.com.au

https://grdc.com.au/research/partnerships-and-initiatives/major-initiatives/grain-automate

https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/2026/grain-automate-getting-started-with-autonomy

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/precision-agriculture-and-machinery/are-you-ready-for-autonomy

https://grainautomate.grdc.com.au/resources/case-studies/simple-approach-key-to-variable-rate-success-on-branson-farms

https://grainautomate.grdc.com.au/resources/articles/grain-automate-project-round-up

https://www.netimes.com.au/2025/07/23/the-latest-in-ag-tech/

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/precision-agriculture-and-machinery/momentum-builds-for-on-farm-task-automation

https://grdc.com.au/events/past-events/2026/04/grain-automate-national-webinar-getting-automation-farm-ready

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/announcements/grdc-invests-$35m-to-drive-machine-automation-and-intelligent-technology-for-grain-growers

https://grdc.com.au/events/past-events/2024/08/paving-the-way-for-on-farm-autonomy?



Project Code:

SPA2404-002RTX
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Dr Rick Llewellyn is the recipient of the 2026 Grain Research and Development Corporation, Seed of Light South Award for his contribution to the grains industry. As a Senior Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO based out of South Australia's Waite campus, Rick has made it his mission to move the industry forward over a stellar career in the research field.   GRDC Seed of Light Award recognises outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to communicating research outcomes to grain growers and others working across the grains industry.

Contact:

Dr Rick Llewellyn 

CSIRO 

rick.llewellyn@csiro.au

 

More Information:    

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/awardsscholarships/csiro-scientist-receives-grains-industry-awards
                                                                                                                        https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/awardsscholarships/celebrating-seed-of-light-csiro-recipients

https://grdc.com.au/about/rd-and-e-capacity-and-ability/awards              
grdc-seed-of-light-award.pdf   
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Growers, advisers, agronomists and researchers all using MyGRDC to access information and events relevant to them. Hear from grower, Tim McClelland, researcher, Greta Duff and agronomist, Quenten Knight about the benefits of using MyGRDC - including personalised event notifications, bookmarking relevant articles and easy access no matter where you are.

Contact:

MyGRDC Team

mygrdc@grdc.com.au

Website: my.grdc.com.au

Download app: App store or Google Play

More Information:   

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/mygrdc

https://youtu.be/LtnVWSmkaE8
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GRDC's Farm Business Updates have played a big role in updating growers about changing landscapes, including taxation and managing the ever-increasing asset base of their businesses. As part of a recent update, Joanne Gilbert from world leading tax and consulting service, RSM Australia spoke about the changes that have occurred in the years since the Covid pandemic. Joanne encourages all growers to take control of their income and we caught up with her post-update to find out more.

Contact: Joanne Gilbert

RSM Australia

joanne.gilbert@rsm.com.au

More information:

https://www.rsm.global/australia

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/events/focus-on-farm-business-a-priority-this-february

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grownotes/technical-manuals/farm-business-models

https://grdc.com.au/research/partnerships-and-initiatives/strategic-partnerships/riskwise

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2024/07/mastering-the-whole-system-managing-farm-business-risk-and-building-resilience

https://grdc.com.au/news-and-media/audio/podcast/2026/grain-automate-from-data-to-decisions

https://grdc.com.au/events/list/2026/04/grdc-farm-business-update,-online-from-busy-to-efficient-streamlining-operations



Project Code: ORM2401-001SAX
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