As the climate shifts and farmers more closely monitor the returns achieved for every megalitre of water invested, the landscape is changing and producers are asking the question of what else could they grow to maximise productivity and profit. This episode builds on our series examining the evolution of Australia’s rice industry over the last 100 years, and investigates the place of new crops like sesame and industrial hemp in modern, water- and climate-efficient farming systems.
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28:12
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28:12
100 Years of Rice - Part 2: A new way of farming
For an industry built on irrigation, modern Australian rice growers have become the most water efficient in the world using 50% less water than their international competitors and producing 50% more rice per megalitre than they did 25 years ago. And the improvements are set to keep on coming as new varieties and agronomic practices transform the farming landscape.
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26:05
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26:05
100 Years of Rice – Part 1: Innovation and Adaptation
Over two big episodes, Unearthed is exploring the rich history and evolution of the Australian rice industry, which is this year celebrating 100 years of commercial production. From horse and plough, to Tiger Moth planes, to massivemachinery, this episode tracks the changes in farming techniques, water management, and the impact of technology on rice production. The conversation features insights from industry veteran George Rathbone, who at 95 has lived through almost everything that has been experienced in the industry, to current day champion growers Michael and Felicia Chalmers. The common theme: the importance of innovation and adaptation in the face of new challenges to deliver both productivity and environmental sustainability.
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25:09
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25:09
High Performance Poultry: Transforming a superstar into all time great
Australia’s chicken meat industry is a star performer of Australian agriculture with retail value of around $6.6 billion and employing more than 58,000 people. So how does an industry like that take its game to the next level? In this episode of Unearthed, we discover how the team at AgriFutures has taken a leaf out of the elite sports coaching manual as part of a new approach to chicken meat research.
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32:51
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32:51
The Long Game Part 3 - A retrospective of the changing place of women in Australian agriculture with Cathy McGowan
The final episode in our three-part series celebrating 25 years of the Rural Women's Award, is a special one-on-one interview between AgriFutures Chair, Cathy McGowan and our host Michael Thomson. As one of the changemakers of rural Australia, Cathy shares her personal insights into the evolution of the award, the challenges faced by rural women in gaining recognition and taking a more prominent role in Australian agriculture, and the ongoing challenges to realising their full potential.
About Unearthed: The people changing Australian agriculture
When big ideas and new opportunities run up against established practices of farming in Australia’s unique environment, there’s tough choices to be made - tune in as we unearth the farmers, scientists and big characters who have found a new path to a more profitable, productive and resilient future for Australian agriculture.
“Unearthed: The people changing agriculture” is brought to you by AgriFutures Australia.
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