GRDC Podcast

James Walter is the bioinformatics lead at Australian Grain Technologies (AGT), working at the intersection of genetics, data science and plant breeding. His role focuses on turning vast amounts of genomic and field data into practical insights that help breeders make better decisions and ultimately deliver improved crop varieties to growers.

In this episode, James takes us behind the scenes of the plant breeding pipeline, unpacking the journey from initial crosses in the glasshouse through to years of field trials, quality testing and eventual commercial release. He explains how modern breeding balances resilience and performance, why stability across seasons is critical, and how the explosion of data and new technologies is reshaping how varieties are developed.

This episode explores:

●  James’ pathway from agricultural science into bioinformatics and plant breeding

●   What a role in genomics and data science looks like in agriculture

●   How plant breeding programs work from glasshouse to commercial release

●  Why it takes 8–10 years to develop a new crop variety

●   The importance of stability versus peak performance in different seasons

●  How genetics and field data are combined to guide breeding decisions

● The role of large-scale field trials across multiple environments

●   How new technologies, AI and data are transforming plant breeding

●   The sheer scale of data involved in modern breeding programs

●   Career opportunities in agriculture beyond traditional farm roles

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hEJmhVcDmtg

More information:

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/innovation/climate/global-search-helps-heat-tolerance-gains-to-be-made-in-wheat

https://www.agtbreeding.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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This episode explores how to set pulse crops up for success, because they really don't forgive shortcuts with herbicides. Navneet Aggarwal, a senior research agronomist for the South Australian Research and Development Institute or SARDI, has been a part of the South Australian Grain Legume Project looking specifically at herbicide safety and weed management in pulses. He says preparation is key, but if those crucial steps are missed, what are the options?

The SA Grain Legume Project: ‘Development and extension to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming systems benefits from grain legume production in South Australia’ is led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, alongside a number of project partners.

Contact:

Navneet Aggarwal

South Australian Research and Development Institute

navneet.a⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

 

More Information:     ⁠

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2024/07/broadleaf-weed-management-in-lentil-grown-on-different-soil-types-in-south-australia⁠⁠https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/sa-research-push-to-close-pulse-yield-gaps⁠

⁠https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/fine-tuning-legume-agronomy-to-benefit-sa-growers⁠

⁠https://grdc.com.au/grdc-investments/investments/investment?code=UOA2105-013RTX&_gl=1*yrqwkq*_ga*ODQxMzgxOTU0LjE3NzI1MDg1NjY.*_ga_ZTGWWXHVRC*czE3NzMxMDAzODYkbzckZzEkdDE3NzMxMDE5MjgkajI0JGwwJGgw

                            

Project Investment Code: 

UOA2105-013RTX
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This episode focuses on sandy soils and how to unlock their potential to successfully grow pulses, which have traditionally been a challenge. GRDC's investment in the South Australian Grain Legume project has led to a targeted approach to trialling a variety of methods for sandy soil improvement. Agronomist, Jason Brand, has worked closely on this project, previously with Agriculture Victoria and Frontier Farming Systems, but more recently as a director of GEM Agronomy.

The SA Grain Legume Project: ‘Development and extension to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming systems benefits from grain legume production in South Australia’ is led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the
Department of Primary Industries and Regions, alongside a number of project partners.

Contact:  

Jason Brand

Director, Gem Agronomy

[email protected]

 

More Information:     https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/crops/pulses/legume-challenges-addressed

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/resources/sandy-soils
               

Project Investment Code:

UOA2105-013RTX
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Get pulse agronomy foundations right on your farm to reduce risk and build long term profitability. This episode explores examples from the South Australian Grain Legume Project, a GRDC investment. We speak with Sarah Day, communications and extension manager with Mallee
Sustainable Farming, and Wade Nickolls, whose family farms pulses at Pinnaroo in the Southern Mallee of South Australia and Victoria. Wade says while the pulse industry and agronomy has changed a lot in the last 30 years, the key drivers for success are still the same.

The SA Grain Legume Project: ‘Development and extension to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming systems benefits from grain legume production in South Australia’ is led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, alongside a number of project partners.

Contacts: 

Sarah Day

Mallee Sustainable Farming

Communication and Extension Manager

[email protected]

 

Wade Nickolls

Grower

[email protected]

 

Project Investment Code: 

UOA2105-013RTX
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In this episode of GRDC in Conversation, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Ashley Amourgis, General Manager of Southern Farming Systems, just west of Geelong. 

Growing up on a dairy farm near Deloraine in Tasmania, Ashley developed a deep appreciation for agriculture as a way of life. That grounding has shaped her journey into the grains industry, where she now works at the intersection of research, extension and farming systems in Victoria’s high rainfall zone. 

Ashley shares her pathway from university uncertainty and early rejection to nearly a decade in grains, reflecting on confidence, mentorship and stepping into leadership. 

The conversation explores nitrogen management in high rainfall environments, the importance of long-term Farming Systems research, the role of drainage in transforming southwest Victoria, and why every farm requires context rather than cookie cutter advice. 

Ashley also offers advice for young professionals entering agriculture and explains why, despite advances in AI and technology, people remain at the heart of the industry. 

 

Watch highlights from this episode as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bMjm1-wQzMQ

More information:

Farming systems project to inform decision making for southern growers https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/grdc/announcements/farming-systems-project-to-inform-decision-making-for-southern-growers 

Southern Farming Systems projects
https://sfs.org.au/farming-systems/projects

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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