The September episode of the Better Frost Decisions podcast is now live! We catch up with our regular climate guru, SARDI Principal Scientist Peter Hayman to learn what a spring with a negative IOD and La Nina means for frost risk.  We also catch up with Agriculture Victoria Pulse Researcher Jason Brand to discuss frost in pulse crops, Eyre Peninsula Independent Consultant Josh Hollitt to check in on the AIR EP Tooligie Hill frost demonstration site and FAR Australia Research Director Kenton Porker to talk about the latest GRDC investment in frost.  Have you joined the BFD Facebook page? Join here  You can also check out the latest Better Frost Decisions Newsletter here View the transcript hereSupport the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

🤔 How REGEN AG are you? 🌿 The principles of regenerative agriculture can be adopted in a low rainfall environment, and chances are you are probably doing them already! To find out more what people think about Regen Ag we polled our online audience. Our recent Facebook & Twitter poll found that: 👉 95% practice no-till 👉85% maintain as much soil cover as possible 👉80% are interested in Regen Ag When we asked 'what represents Regen Ag to you?' 60% said maximum ground cover  60% said it meant crop diversity 40% said natural cycling of nutrients with minimum to no inputs 20% said growing summer and/or winter mixed species 20% said maximum inputs for peak biomass To clear up some common misconceptions about Regen Ag and learn more about what it takes to making it work in the low rainfall Mallee we caught up with CSIRO Soil Microbiology Research Scientist - Dr Vadakattu Gupta, who has been measuring soil health in different Mallee farming systems.  The project "Regenerative opportunities for building resilience in low rainfall farming systems" has been supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board with funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.  Project partners include the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, CSIRO, Mallee Sustainable Farming and Birchip Cropping Group. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tanya Lehman wears many hats and is well know in her community for her work in supporting regional communities to thrive. Her latest role sees her helping to support a new project coaching a new group of 'Vocal Locals' in the community that are there to share their experiences of how they work on taking care of their mental health and wellbeing especially in times of stress.  The Vocal Locals project is led by the University of South Australia, promoting the ifarmwell program with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund.  This podcast has been made possible by SPAA with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund. “SPAA is Australasia’s leading independent advocate and facilitator for increased research, extension and adoption of precision agriculture, delivering industry wide value across different sectors.”  SPAA would also like to acknowledge their principal sponsors: John Deere, CNHi, Manutec, and Elders.Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SA northern Mallee farmer based at Lowbank Tim Paschke farms in one of the most marginal rainfall zones for cropping in Australia, and for the matter the World. Tim is currently an ambassador and advocate for the Vocal Local project, an initiative of the ifarmwell program. Tim shares his experiences in this project and farming on the edge.The Vocal Locals project is led by the University of South Australia, promoting the ifarmwell program with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund.  This podcast has been made possible by SPAA with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund. “SPAA is Australasia’s leading independent advocate and facilitator for increased research, extension and adoption of precision agriculture, delivering industry wide value across different sectors.”  SPAA would also like to acknowledge their principal sponsors: John Deere, CNHi, Manutec, and Elders.Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmer and consultant Felicity Turner provides an insight into her work in supporting farmers in the Mallee and Upper SE region in relation to integrating PA systems into their farming operations. Felicity shares her experiences in working with farming families, including the role of PA in helping to guide and make informed decisions. This podcast has been made possible by SPAA with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund. “SPAA is Australasia’s leading independent advocate and facilitator for increased research, extension and adoption of precision agriculture, delivering industry wide value across different sectors.”  SPAA would also like to acknowledge their principal sponsors: John Deere, CNHi, Manutec, and Elders.Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From zoning to the positive attributes of PA, consultant and farmer Peter Treloar  shares his practical experiences in helping Mallee farmers navigate their on-farm development and application of PA systems. Peter discusses such issues as what equipment and how do we get it to work best to help make better informed decisions and reduce some of the stresses in farming decisions. This podcast has been made possible by SPAA with funding from the FRRR Future Drought Fund. “SPAA is Australasia’s leading independent advocate and facilitator for increased research, extension and adoption of precision agriculture, delivering industry wide value across different sectors.” SPAA would also like to acknowledge their principal sponsors: John Deere, CNHi, Manutec, and Elders.Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Better Frost Decisions Podcast is back for 2022. This is the first podcast of a four part series for this season where we bring you climate updates, keep you informed of important frost work happening in your region and we get out on farm to talk to farmers and advisers on how they manage the impacts of frost.  In this episode we catch up with Peter Hayman, Principal Scientist with SARDI Climate Applications, Ag Consultant Michael Hind, Bates Agricultural Consulting on the EP and SA Mallee farmers Andrew Thomas from Moorlands, Travis Flight from Nangari and Jock McNeil from Paruna. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with Chris Preston in Mildura as part of the Area Wide Management of Weeds project. Glyphosate resistance has been identified as a key issue when managing highly dispersive weeds and taking a 'good neighbour' approach to weed management has been identified as a key practice to getting on top of highly dispersive weeds.  In the Sunraysia region we are focusing on fleabane, ryegrass and sow thistle control and the tactics that can help support broadacre cropping and horticultural producers to get on top of these weeds.  For more information about the project visit CSIRO Area Wide Management of Weeds This project is supported by the Australian Government's Rural R & D for profit program with co-investment from the Grains Research Development Corporation and the Cotton Research Development Corporation. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Jamie Wilson catches up with Mount Bryan farmer, John Quinn to discuss the journey of getting into regenerative agriculture.  John talks about the factors the led him to investigate a new method of farming, the challenges and successes of his mixed farming operation that now includes longer pasture phases, multi species winter and summer crops for fodder and management practices that support regen ag rotations and principles.  This podcast was developed as part of the 'Regenerative opportunities for building resilience in low rainfall farming systems' project and is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board with funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program and landscape levies. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest podcast, special guest host Pru Cook, from Nine Creeks Consulting, catches up with Michael Moodie to discuss the hot topic of seeding successfully in a an area of the paddock that has had soil amelioration.  Michael discusses the potential pitfalls and highlights important steps to consider when seeding into ameliorated areas including tackling sinking, ensuring even crop establishment and what additional inputs that may be required.  For the latest info on soil amelioration and managing Mallee soils, jump on to the 'Managing Mallee Soils' Facebook discussion page where the topic of soil amelioration has been featured extensively as well as understanding soil constraints, soil testing and managing ground cover. The 'Managing Mallee Soils' group is supported by FRRR with funding through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund. Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.