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“A lot of us at harvest, when pressure's on and we're trying to get more harvest hours in a day, more grain in per day, if we're limited by a grain moisture, we go and look at, I'll get a contract harvester in, I'll buy a bigger header next year, I'll go to a second or a third header next year.  What if we could manage moisture in grain do it with less headers? Because we get more hours in a day.   “So we can start harvest a few hours earlier or run it a few hours later or those overcast days where the moisture is just sitting, a percent above our deliverable. What if we could run our headers on those days and not have as much infrastructure, capital tied up in harvest equipment aeration cooling to blend moisture in storage.    “So then, all of a sudden, we get grain storage paying itself with harvest logistics.” Chris Warrick  In the final episode of the series Planning for Prosperity, BCG’s Janine Batters chats with grain storage expert Chris Warrick about the economics of grain storage and some of the key things to consider before investing in grain storage. The conversation covers aeration cooling, cone and falt bottom silos, grain sheds, bunkers, grain bags, logistics and people management.”  This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today  For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/   Resources  Call 1800 WEEVIL (1800 933 845)  Grain Storage GrowNote manual including economics   https://storedgrain.com.au/grdc-grownotes-grain-storage/  Research report by the Kondinin Group on ground level storage options   https://storedgrain.com.au/ground-level-grain-storage-2024/  Recent grower examples  https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/farm-business/grain-storage/grain-storage-keeps-harvest-operations-on-a-roll  https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/farm-business/grain-storage/the-automatic-advantage-of-grain-cooling    About Chris Warrick  Growing up on a farm near Horsham, Victoria, Chris has pursued a career in agriculture focusing on helping farmers make informed decisions.  After obtaining a Bachelor of Business from Marcus Oldham Collage Chris worked for Kondinin Group as a research officer based in Wagga Wagga, NSW and later Toowoomba, QLD. During his time with Kondinin Group Chris broadened his experience of different farming systems around Australia and gained an insight into various drivers for key business decisions.  With a broader scope of knowledge, Chris moved back to Victoria to take up a position as a management consultant before venturing out to become an independent consultant operating as Primary Business. Chris enjoys continually learning new and innovative approaches and tools to assist clients and help them achieve their goals.  Chris also manages the GRDC-funded National Grain Storage Extension Project with a team of researchers and extension specialists. He is also the specialist contact for the southern region of Australia (Southern NSW, Vic, TAS and SA) for all things grain storage. Chris travels the region conducting workshops and assisting growers with their on-farm storage management.    Find Chris on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-warrick-67985989/?originalSubdomain=au     Find Janine on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/     If you loved the podcast, you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip   In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controlling mature fleabane is tricky. With funding from the Hugh Williamson Foundation and the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund BCG’s Research Agronomist Angus Butterfield completed a research project on controlling mature fleabane.  The information shared is based on research conducted for the purpose of exploring flea bank control options and should not be considered direct advice.  Please note, some herbicide rates and applications discussed may not align with registered labour requirements or maximum residue limits. We strongly encourage you to consult your agronomist or local advisor before implementing any of the strategies covered here. They can provide guidance tailored to your conditions, ensure compliance with current labour requirements and help you adhere to MRL guidelines.  The conversation covers the two different double-knock trials Angus undertook to ascertain the most effective mature fleabane control options. In the first trial the first pass was altered with a standard second pass knock. In the second trial, the second pass was altered with a standard first pass knock. In the second trial many of the rates were camera sprayer rates.   This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today  For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/   About Angus Butterfield  Angus Butterfield joined BCG in March 2022 as a Research Agronomist. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology majoring in Agronomy from Latrobe University and has relocated to BCG from the outskirts of Melbourne. Angus has a passion for high quality research and is keen to improve agricultural practices and production as well contributing the BCG’s large scope of research to benefit growers.   Find Janine on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/   If you loved the podcast, you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip   In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.    Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I'm talking dry sowing because we've got a whole range of new pre-emergent herbicides, mostly from other groups, so group 13 and so on, and group 15, which have completely different properties to what we had 20 years ago.  “We've actually now got an opportunity where we can use that set of chemistry to deal with our ryegrass issues and add to that our crop competition from getting our crop in early in the season. So it's just thinking, I think, about the whole system and saying, well, instead of trying to make knockdown herbicides work all the time, what if we replace knockdown herbicides with something that's different?” - Professor Chris Preston  In the sixth episode of the BCG’s podcast series Planning for Prosperity BCG’s Janine Batters speaks with The University of Adelaide’s Weed Management Professor Chris Preston about the possible implications of the APVMA’s review of paraquat and diquat and alternative weed control options. The conversation also includes Chris’s top herbicide and planning tips to control weeds to maximise moisture capture this summer.  This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today  For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/   About Dr Chris Preston   Dr Chris Preston is Professor of weed management at the University of Adelaide. He works on understanding and management of herbicide resistant weeds.  The research of the weed science group at the University of Adelaide is focussed on better management of weeds in agricultural cropping systems. Areas of current research activity include: the evolution, biochemical mechanisms and management of herbicide resistant weeds, ecology and biology and management of emerging weeds in agriculture, gene flow from herbicide tolerant crops and its implications for farm management, risk assessment for weeds and herbicide tolerant crops and patterns of genetic diversity in weed populations.    Find Janine on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/     If you loved the podcast, you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip   In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I find if you make the time, efficiencies come, if you're rushing around and always in a hurry to get to the next job, you find things break. Things happen, things go wrong, things get missed and that's when you lose time and then you're further behind.” Warakirri Farm Manager Jono Robinson.  In the fifth episode BCG’s Janine Batters chats with Warakirri Farm Manager Jono Robinson. The conversation covers why the corporate farm always puts safety first, what structures and procedures the team have in place to ensure everyone arrives home safely, farm safety apps and policies, tool box meetings and leading by example.     This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today  For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/     About Jono Robinson  Jono Robinson is the farm manager at Warakirri. The property he manages spans 14000 hectares and is located between Donald and Warracknabeal in Victoria’s Wimmera. He managers nine full time staff plus harvest casuals. He believes prioritising farm safety is simple “everyone deserves to go home safe”.    Helpful links:  https://www.vff.org.au/project/making-our-farms-safer/  https://www.safeagsystems.com/farm-management-software  https://www.lucidity.io/  https://www.warakirricropping.com.au/     Find Jono Robinson on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jono-robinson-8b1563a0/?originalSubdomain=au  Find Janine on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/     If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip     In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.    Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Because the fossil fuel sector has started reducing its emissions, the transport sector started reducing its emissions and agriculture stayed the same. Suddenly, this year, we're not 14 percent like we were last year, we're 17%. It's a percentage game. So what's going to happen over time is if agriculture does nothing, we'll become the only sector of greenhouse gas emissions while all the other sectors go to zero.” Professor Richard Eckard.  In the fourth episode of our series Planning for Prosperity, sponsored by Action Steel, BCG’s Janine Batters chats with soil carbon royalty: The University of Melbourne’s Professor Richard Eckard. The conversation covers:  What are greenhouse gas emissions  What is meant by scope 1, scope two and scope three emissions  What the difference is between NetZero and carbon neutral  What is carbon sequestration   What are carbon credits and how they are being used  The difference between offsets and insets and why knowing the difference is crucial  Whether planting trees or locking up vegetation is counted in reducing emissions and whether it’s a good option  Commercial nitrogen plants using solar panels and how they can help farmers reduce emissions  Why it’s important to know your greenhouse gas emission per tonne of grain/wool etc number, how to calculate it and how it is likely to be used  The Carbon Farming Outreach Program  This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today. For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/   The information in this episode is general in nature. Before making any financial decisions, speak to your trusted financial adviser.   About Professor Richard Eckard  Richard is Professor of Carbon Farming at the University of Melbourne and National program leader in the Carbon Research Centre for Net Zero Agriculture. His research focuses on carbon farming and accounting towards carbon neutral agriculture, managing extreme climate events and options for agriculture to respond to a changing climate. He developed the first carbon accounting tools in Australia in 2001, these tools now form a national agreed standard in Australia for on farm carbon accounting; his research and expertise provided the science basis for the development of six carbon offset methods in Australia. Richard is a science advisor to the Victorian, Australian, New Zealand, Ireland, UK and EU governments, the International Livestock Research Institute and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on climate change adaptation, mitigation and policy development in agriculture. In 2021, Richard was named on the Reuters list of the world’s 1,000 most influential climate scientists.   About Grace Hosking  Grace joined BCG in Jan 2023. Grace studied a Bachelor of Agriculture, majoring in Economics at The University of Melbourne. Grace grew up on a broadacre cropping and livestock farm at Quambatook, where her passion for agriculture began. Stemming from her own experience growing up in a rural community, Grace has a strong desire to see farmers and their communities thrive and she enjoys working at an organisation that plays a pivotal role in providing opportunities for industry to improve in both productivity and profitability. Outside of work, Grace enjoys staying involved in her family farm, cooking, walking her dog Mae and spending afternoons at the lake.  Helpful links:  Professor Richard Eckard  https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/2680-richard-eckard   Calculators  https://aginnovationaustralia.com.au/ea-platform/  https://ruminati.com.au/  https://piccc.org.au/resources/Tools.html  The Carbon Farming Outreach Program   https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/agricultural-land-sectors/carbon-farming-outreach-program  Find Professor Eckard on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-eckard-23936042/?originalSubdomain=au   Find Grace on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-hosking-32449b237/  Find Janine on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/   If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip   This project is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program in collaboration with the Grower Group Alliance. In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“That price gap's a hurdle for a lot of farmers. I feel that I've probably got other farmers that would, but the majority of them would not be keen to spend that amount of money compared to what they could be doing with Trojan.    “Most farmers will want to see an economical return from that long term. And because we need that from every aspect of farming.   “Farming is a money-making venture. We're not doing it as a hobby.   “As Paul suggested, I think probably just picking a paddock at a time is a good strategy. I've run into more issues where people want to go all IPM instantly. That's presented issues, just getting around the farm, monitoring and making sure we don't get any chronic outbreaks.    “You'll see the value, I suppose, from using products like Vandecor.    “You should only have to do one of them [spray] where, in a long spring where, Heliothis or Etiola come in early, you may be doing two Trojans.    “It's worked well actually.” Wimmera agronomist Tim Pohlner.  “IPM isn't just doing nothing. IPM involves the three control options. And there is nothing else. All the control has to come out of one of those three tools.  “The advice that I give to people, if it doesn't work, then that's of no value to anyone. So, if there's pests there, you have to control them. It's just how you choose to use it. Which products you choose, whether it's cultural or whether it's a pesticide.   “There's no advantage to anyone in watching insects and other pests destroy their crop.  “All IPM is, is trying to use things in the best possible way so they work together.” Entomologist Dr Paul Horne     The third episode of our series Planning for Prosperity, sponsored by Action Steel, highlights that while planning is crucial in farming, so too is flexibility.  That using Integrated Pest Management in broadacre farming isn't black and white, all or nothing.    Take a listen and decide for yourself whether you might begin to introduce IPM at your place.   The conversation covers what is IPM, how to apply it in a broadacre setting, beneficial versus pests, the cost of applying broad spectrum insecticides versus selective including price, impact on beneficials, resistance buildup, marketing options, and time spent spraying. Monitoring was also discussed and the amount of time required both at the start of implementation and throughout the season.   With slugs causing severe establishment damage, particularly in the Wimmera, monitoring and control were also discussed with BCG’s Casey Sim explaining BCG’s current Optimising Slug Management project with SARDI.   This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today  For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/   About Dr Paul Horne  Dr Paul Horne is an entomologist and since 1996 has been owner and director of IPM Technologies Pty Ltd, based in Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia.  His work on IPM in a range of crops has taken him to different places including Yemen, Thailand, Spain, Denmark, Indonesia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.  A strong focus of his work has been the implementation and adoption of IPM strategies. This has also involved a strong research component on the impact of pesticides on species of beneficial invertebrates.  For many years Paul delivered a lecture series on entomology and IPM at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia and now runs online courses in entomology for IPM Technologies.  He has also supervised undergraduate and post-graduate students from La Trobe and Melbourne Universities.  Paul completed both his undergraduate degree and PhD at La Trobe University.  Paul has written several books on insects and IPM (the two most important co-authored with Jessica Page) and guidebooks to insects in potato crops and brassica crops in Australia. He has published over 70 scientific and conference papers on insects and IPM, as well as many other articles in industry literature.  He has received awards from the Australian Vegetable industry and the World Potato Congress for his work.  About Tim Pohlner  Tim Pohlner is an agronomic consultant and owner of AgVantage Agronomy.  Tim has worked as an agronomist for 18 years and consults throughout the Wimmera and Southern Mallee.  AgVantage Agronomy helps progressive farmers to maximise productivity and profitability via new technology and farming systems together with proven, best practice basic principles.  Helpful links:  https://ipmtechnologies.com.au/  IPM videos with Paul: https://www.bcg.org.au/news/?content_type=videos   www.agvantageagronomy.com.au  Find Tim Pohlner on   X @PohlnerTim  LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-pohlner-70268487/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=au   Find Tim Reethus on X @TRethus   Find BCG on   X  @BCG_Birchip  Instagram   @bcg_birchip  LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/birchip-cropping-group-bcg-/?viewAsMember=true   Find Janine on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/   If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip   In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“This year, in terms of the IOD, it's just been sitting there in neutral. We've been just watching it, seeing if there's anything developing. At the moment, there's a slight hint that it's looking like it could go a little bit, negative IOD, which would actually increase our chances of some rainfall, but similar to the Pacific Ocean, in the Indian Ocean, that is purely just based on a temperature difference between the Horn of Africa and the waters off the coast of Sumatra.    “Again, like the El Nino for La Nina patterns to develop, it's not just the sea surface temperatures that we need there to be in a certain pattern. We also need the trade winds. pressure patterns, and the cloudiness also to come to the party. And that's also not really happening at this point of time either  In the second episode of our eight-part series Planning for Prosperity, Janine Batters talks with resident BCG climate expert Kate Finger about why sometimes, one climate outcome is predicted, yet what we actually experience, feels like the opposite.  Kate explains the importance of understanding that climate predictions are based on probabilities and how to decipher these, what is really being predicted for this spring and summer period and all the factors that need to align for us to receive the much talked about spring rains.   This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today  For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/   About Kate Finger  Kate Finger is a Research Project Manager at BCG. Kate joined BCG in May 2019. Kate believes the work she is a part of is helping to improve the profitability and sustainability of Australian agriculture. Kate holds a Bachelor of Science – Majoring in Agricultural Science and a Masters of Agricultural Sciences specialising in Crop Production from the University of Melbourne. Kate loves horse riding, gardening and hiking.  Helpful links:  BCG Technical Bulletin   To sign up for the BCG Technical Bulletin visit www.bcg.org.au/product/bcg-membership/  The Break newsletter:  subscribe online or contact the.break@agriculture.vic.gov.au  BoM Climate Outlooks:  http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/summary/  If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poorly managed conflict is the biggest internal threat to your business’ bottom line. There is no change without conflict and there is always conflict where there is change.  The right conflict; healthy arguments over differing ideas in an environment of mutual respect; stimulates both personal and business growth.  “The reason why it's [good conflict resolution] so critical is because everything that we do in every group has human interaction at its core. The quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our relationships.  Overwhelmingly.  It's a basic human need. Being part of a supportive, caring group has a bigger impact on our health, both physical and mental, than anything else.    “More than getting the right exercise, eating the right diet, going to the doctor, taking the right medicine. Being part of a supportive, healthy group is just a basic human need and that's why it's so important to be able to address conflict early and appropriately. It's just determines the quality of our lives.”  In the first episode of our eight-part series Planning for Prosperity Janine Batters talks with Brows Up conflict resolution specialist Neville Brady. The conversation covers the VIP approach, recognising our own part in the problem and waving the white truce flag, the difference between criticism and critique and the importance of improving your business structures, resources, competencies and commitment.   The conversation is a great example of how humour can be used to tackle tricky conversations and the importance of leadership, self awareness and keeping your eyebrows up!  This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today  For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/   About Neville Brady  Neville is a, father, husband and business consultant. He conducts laugh out loud funny mens’ health presentations and has a particularly unique stress management technique that makes people laugh.  He grew up on a farm near Swan Hill with three brothers. His mother had an electric cow prod and no cows. As a teenager he learnt a valuable lesson from his mum when he said “Mum, everyone is giving me the shits!” His Mum said, with a gentle tone, “Oh sweat heart… everyone can’t be wrong.”  He and his team from Browsup consulting who work with SME’s and family businesses – where’s there an extra layer of complexity – improve outcomes by improving business inputs: structures, resources, competencies and commitment.  Helpful links:  https://www.browsup.com.au/   https://www.lifeline.org.au/   If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“So it's essentially a drone in a box. And it is automated, but it's only just been released, so it will open up at a predetermined time, do its map, and come back, park up and close up for the night. And people are sending them out every day to collect data,     “It's in a weatherproof station that sits outside a shed or something like that. As long as it's got internet and power, you can then plan flights at any time of the day.  “So it will open up. It's got its own little weather station inbuilt. So if it is too windy, it won't take off. So there are some safety measures in place as well.  In our eighth and final episode of our series On the Horizon: Farm Tech Janine chats to Droneland Australia’s Adam Mitchell about how drones are being used in agriculture to support farmers. The conversation covers types of drones, costs, capabilities including spraying, spreading, seedings, mapping, analysing, topography collection, firefighting, livestock management and agricultural research. The conversation also covers safety, licensing, support and contracting.  This podcast is sponsored by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today  About Adam Mitchell   Adam has always been interested in business and envisaged becoming an entrepreneur. He has always admired people who believe in a vision and back themselves to make their vision a reality. After high school, Adam became a qualified electrician and from there moved into facilities management. At the same time, he attended university (night school) whilst raising a young family. Adam completed a Bachelor Degree in Business. It was then that Adam first came across the use of drones in agriculture. His family has had cattle farms for some time and it was at their farm in Gympie that a neighbour was using a drone to access an area he could not reach by foot or vehicle. Adam and his two brother in laws and now business partners began researching how drones were being used in agriculture, and saw a real opportunity in the space.   Helpful links:  https://www.droneland.au/  Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjbxlxCBlyXCPqJeEMHTAA   Instagram: @dronelandau  Facebook: Droneland Australa  LinkedIn: Droneland Australia    We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today    If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Just put all your chemical in as per order. The important thing is to give it the granules time to dissolve, get into the solution.  “we've got scales so we can measure all the chemicals in, especially your bulk chemicals out of shuttles.  “We need to know the  specific density of each chemical which is all different so you need to know that before you're doing it. I've used the scales and I also put a mark on the shuttle to know that I'm getting the right volume. Using the scales properly I think there could be a cost benefit as far as  using the right amount of chemical versus what the scale is saying.”  In our seventh episode of our series On the Horizon: Farm Tech Janine Batters chats to Jil Jil farmer David Ferrier about his chemical batching machine. The conversation covers cost, transport, chemical antagonism, scale weights, safety, tank sizes, efficiencies, challenges and automation.  This podcast is sponsored by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today. About David Ferrier: Wirrabilla Farms is managed and owned by David Ferrier, his wife De-Anne, and David's parents John and Robyn. David and De-Anne have three children. Wirrabilla Farms is situated 35 km north of Birchip at Jil Jil and covers approximately 5000 ha. David and his family run a mixed broadacre farming operation growing crops and livestock. Crop types include wheat, barley, canola, lentils, safflower and vetch. Helpful links:  https://gnsengineering.com.au/  Follow David Ferrier on X: @WirrabillaFarms  We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today. To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech  Farm security with AgCloud’s Grant Sutton  “But there's some more organised criminals that have a bit more nous about how they’ll tackle a farm, and they'll go to power, and they'll cut power. That can disable the system if it's not planned correctly.  “It can cause the internet to go down. Say for example, so there's no alerts coming through, or it could stop a camera from working altogether.”  In our sixth episode, sponsored by GE Silos, we chat with AgCloud’s Grant Sutton. Grant shares the latest advancements in farm security cameras. The discussion covers AI improvements, underground sensors, systems, connections, power and internet requirements, functions, notifications, support and planning.   About Grant Sutton  Grant Sutton has dedicated his career to helping businesses navigate the complexities of the digital world. Passionate about supporting small businesses, Grant has two decades of experience within the IT industry and has focused the past six years on predominantly supporting farmers.  In 2018, Grant co-founded AgCloud, a pioneering venture aimed at bringing cutting-edge technology solutions to farms across Australia. His work has included involvement in both state and federal government technology rollouts, as well as collaborating with companies to bring AI camera technology to farms. Through his involvement in several successful technology rollouts, Grant has played a key role in modernising agricultural operations, ensuring that Australian farms remain at the forefront of innovation.  Outside of his professional work, Grant is passionate about exploring new technological trends and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-changing digital world.   You can find Grant on on:  X:  https://x.com/AgCloudAU   https://www.agcloud.com.au/  This podcast is sponsored by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today    Helpful links:  Farm connectivity program  https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/better-connectivity-plan-regional-and-rural-australia/farm-connectivity-program Cyber Safety  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-secure-online  Information on improving your internet and mobile access  https://birrraus.com/  https://regionaltechhub.org.au/  To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I’m most excited about, probably for the wrong reasons, lasers because they are awesome to use!   “There's just so much energy! It just gets blasted into these weed plants in such a fantastic, intense, short period of time. It's quite satisfying to burn these weeds to a crisp with a big laser.”  In our fifth episode of our series On the Horizon: Farm Tech Janine chats to Professor Michael Walsh from Charles Sturt University about alternative weed control options. The conversation covers mechanical controls, electronic laser controls, microwave lasers, gametocides, allelopathic chemicals, mircojet sprayers and intense blue light technology which includes the Weed Seed Destroyer.   We discuss efficacy, availability, cost, energy and adaptability for broadacre use.   This podcast is sponsored by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today  About Prof. Michael Walsh  Prof. Walsh’s research career commenced in 1999 with his role as a weed agronomist in AHRI (Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative) where initially he explored herbicide resistance in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and techniques for managing herbicide resistant weeds. A focus of this research was the evaluation and development of harvest weed seed control systems. This work contributed to the now widespread understanding and use of these systems in Australian and global grain production. In 2016 Prof. Walsh moved to the University of Sydney where in the role of director weed research he led the northern grains regions Innovation in Crop Weed Control project. Research activities in this and additional projects (Machine learning for Weed Recognition, Site-specific weed control in ginger cropping systems) identified the opportunities of weed recognition technologies and site-specific weed control capability. This has resulted in more recent research efforts being focused on the development of novel non-chemical weed control techniques for in-crop use.  As part of the Gulbali Institute at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Prof. Walsh is continuing to research and develop novel weed control technologies with a focus on progressing suitable approaches through to commercialization. These research activities are integrated within the broader cropping systems research activities at CSU as well as being connected nationally and internationally with similar efforts. Helpful links:  Global Neighbor – developers of the Weed Seed Destroyer (https://g-neighbor.com/)  Azaneo – pulsed electrical weeding https://azaneo.au/  Electrical weeding - Zasso https://zasso.com; Rootwave https://rootwave.com/; Weed Zapper https://theweedzapper.oldschoolmanufacturing.com/  Carbon Robotics – autonomous laser weeding (https://carbonrobotics.com)  The Row Shaver interrow mowing (https://www.rowshaver.com/)  The Weed Chipper https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2020.34  Energy requirements of weed control technologies https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2019.32  We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today  To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This podcast was brought to you by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today.  "Our market has been in tow behind sprayers. They don't take a huge amount of horsepower to pull. It means we can keep our weight really light for a 24 meter boom, for example, we'll be eight ton loaded, so you can get on the ground nice and early. We don't want to go bigger because that's going away from where SwarmFarm began.  “The idea with the swarm is you've got lots of small, lightweight machines doing the job that you'd think of one big one doing. So the reason why we aren't going bigger is because we believe that you can do the same job with less horsepower and less weight.”  In our fourth episode of our series On the Horizon: Farm Tech,  Janine chats with SwarmFarm’s Bailey Kilpatrick about the company’s autonomous SwarmBots and how they are being used in different agricultural industries across Australia.  The discussion includes horsepower, cost, management, regulations, servicing and parts, connectivity requirements, average maximum hours per bot, training and attachments.  About Bailey Kilpatrick  Bailey Kilpatrick is SwarmFarm’s Portfolio Manager for Emerald.  Bailey is particularly passionate about the technology that Australian farmers are adopting on their farms which result in better farming decisions. Bailey has a broad depth of knowledge in the ag industry gained from living and working around Australia on various properties and holds a Bachelor of Agriculture.  You can find SwarmFarm on:  X: https://x.com/SwarmFarm  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swarmfarm-robotics/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarmfarmrobotics/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/swarmfarm   Helpful links:  https://www.swarmfarm.com/   https://www.swarmfarm.com/journey/  We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today  To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This podcast was brought to you by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today. New farm office tech and cybersecurity with Carmen Quade  “I think the first thing to do is to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. When new things come in, we’re often bad at it.   “And as adults, you don't like that feeling of things being difficult or hard or harder than they were. And it's just acknowledging that initially things are going to be harder before they get easier and just persisting through that.”  In our third episode, we chat with AgriFocused’s Carmen, who shares the latest farm office technology to make your office time more efficient. Carmen also discusses some quick wins when it comes to software already available but not always used to its fullest. The farm business expert also shares some of her tips on how to protect yourself, your farm business and those you love from cybercrime.   About Carmen Quade  Carmen Quade runs AgriFocused, a training business specialising in farm business skills. She has worked as a university lecturer in accounting and agribusiness and enjoys working with people to improve their business skills. She also has extensive experience in local government, both in economic and community development as well as corporate governance. Together with her husband and other family members, she is a partner in a mixed farming business at Tallimba, in the Northern Riverina. She works her magic in the office, not the paddock. Carmen holds a Bachelor of Business (Agricultural Commerce), a Master of Professional Accounting and a Cert IV in Training Small Groups.  You can learn more about Carmen by visiting her website: https://agrifocused.com.au/ and following her on X @AgriFocused or Instagram @AgriFocused  You can find Carmen on:  X: https://x.com/AgriFocused   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-quade-agrifocused-97412b198/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agrifocused/   https://agrifocused.com.au/  Helpful links:  https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/better-connectivity-plan-regional-and-rural-australia/farm-connectivity-program  Password Management Software  https://www.lastpass.com  https://www.dashlane.com  https://1password.com/  Software for ease of data entry for invoices  https://dext.com/  Software to make your own forms and related QR codes  https://www.jotform.com/  https://www.google.com.au/forms/about/  Cyber Safety  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-secure-online  Information on improving your internet and mobile access  https://birrraus.com/  https://regionaltechhub.org.au/  Tips on managing emails  https://agrifocused.com.au/managing-emails/    We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today  To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“It did happen, that's true, but it's also a pain in the neck with logistics, right? At harvest time, it's hard sending trucks different ways and shifting shifters at your own site or having some trucks going to the site and some going home. The secret sauce is getting your economy right and using these maps to inform what you're doing next time around.”  In our second episode, we chat with Kaniva farmer Jonathan Dyer, who shares how he uses the data from his protein machine to create nitrogen maps to guide nitrogen inputs.   The conversation covers technical set up, software, support, data handling, protein machine models as well as some of the challenges he has experience and where he looks for advice.   About Jonathan Dyer  Jonathan is a grain grower from Kaniva in the West Wimmera. The Dyers grow a mixture of bread and durum wheat, canola, lentils, faba beans and chickpeas in a continuous cropping rotation. Having a background in IT, Jonathan completed a Nuffield Scholarship in 2015 on ‘big data’ in agriculture.  You can find Jonathan on:  X: https://x.com/dyerjonathan   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-dyer-10aa5135/   BCG website: https://www.bcg.org.au/our-team/jonathan-dyer/   Helpful links:  Broden Holland on X: https://x.com/brodenholland   Tim Rethus on X: https://x.com/TRethus   Crop Scan: https://cropscanag.com/   John Deere HarvestLab: https://www.deere.com.au/en/technology-products/precision-ag-technology/data-management/harvest-lab-3000/   SMS: https://www.agleader.com/farm-management/sms-software/   Addressing El Nino Misconceptions at Trials Review Day: https://www.bcg.org.au/addressing-el-nino-misconceptions-at-bcg-trials-review-day/   Nitrogen Banking: https://www.bcg.org.au/research-article/investigating-nitrogen-management-using-urea-pulses-and-temporary-intercropping-2022/   SPAA: https://www.spaa.com.au/   Nuffield Scholarships: https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/     To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.   Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Take that challenge. Nut it out, really. Have a bit of persistence and find support from someone else to get ideas on how to fix it. What are other people doing to get through those wet conditions? How do they do that? Can I keep climbing that ladder, rather than starting back from scratch? Because, as we climb that ladder, our yields are improving.  “We're getting way better soil health. It's better for our bottom line. We're getting way more sustainable farms.”  In the first episode, we chat with Wimmera farmer Tim Rethus, who shares his insights into new farm tech and when to pull the trigger.   About Tim Rethus  Tim Rethus farms a rainfed broadacre cropping enterprise near Horsham. He has degrees in engineering and commerce from the University of Melbourne and worked in the oil industry for 11 years before returning to the family farm in 2013. Tim has been a member of the BCG Wimmera Advisory Committee since 2016 and joined the BCG Board in October 2018. He has a strong interest in agricultural innovation and data-based precision technologies.  You can find Tim Rethus on:  X: https://x.com/trethus  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-rethus-06229787   BCG website: https://www.bcg.org.au/our-team/tim-rethus/   Helpful links: Weedsmart: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/   Follow Jonathan Dyer on X: https://x.com/dyerjonathan   Follow Broden Holland on X: https://x.com/brodenholland   To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au  In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.   Disclaimer:  The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Shared Ag Solutions by BCG. We're thrilled to introduce our latest series, On the Horizon: Farm Tech! In this season, BCG is on a mission to bring the latest in on-farm technology to our listeners. We'll explore topics such as protein mapping, optical spray technology and batching machines. This series will also investigate non-chemical weed management strategies, the latest in drone technology for livestock management, autonomous spray units and on-farm security. Hosted by mixed-farmer and BCG Media and Communications Manager, Janine Batters, you can expect each episode to delve into the benefits, challenges and solutions associated with implementing new technology. More about BCG: www.bcg.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“One of the issues with P allocation on, say, lentils or chickpeas is that they're not that responsive in terms of yield, but they do respond, in terms of nitrogen fixation. So phosphorus will stimulate growth, which stimulates nitrogen fixation. So your pulses, and even some of the medic pastures and vetch, for example, they're usually the first things we cut phosphorus off, in our crop budget. But in fact, what happens is, by doing that, you actually reduce some of the nitrogen input from the legume nitrogen fixation.” In the final episode in our first series of Planning for Profit, I caught up with Dr Rob Norton to hear his top tips for soil and health and profitability in 2024. About Dr Rob Norton Rob Norton has expertise in crop nutrition, farming systems and agronomy. For the past 40 years he has worked in education, training and research for the Australian grains industry with various organisations including The University of Melbourne, where he still holds an adjunct position. His research projects at the University of Melbourne concerned crop adaptation, soil health, plant nutrition and plant responses to high carbon dioxide and climate change. From 2009 until 2017 he was the IPNI Regional Director (Australia New Zealand) where he led a program of applied plant nutrition research and extension projects across Australia. He has been a regular speaker at industry conferences and national and international science conferences. Following the establishment of his consulting company, Norton Agronomic, he was engaged in soil fertility projects across Africa as well as local consultancies to a range of public and private organisations. He holds a PhD in crop agronomy and has authored 150 refereed scientific publications, as well as many more articles for industry. His work was recognised in 2017 with awards from the Grains Research and Development Corporation and Fertilizer Australia. You can find Dr Robert Norton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-norton-22a99547/?originalSubdomain=au To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.    Disclaimer: The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“…he's got individual nozzle controls, so Hawkeye, he's only spot spraying. That's all he uses the machine for. He's got a few sprayers. This is just his spot sprayer and he thinks that there is no other way to spray. He said he kicks back, watching the footy on his iPad. He's got his height controller controlling the boom. He's got his weed detect turning on and spot spraying his weeds and that's probably the best case scenario.” In the seventh episode of our eight-part Planning for Profit series we caught up with Stephen Richards from Goldacres to learn more about brown on green and green on green spot spraying AI technology and whether it can help you be more profit in 2024. Useful linkshttps://www.goldacres.com.au/https://youtu.be/xbapksXKJxIhttps://youtu.be/-5n4jEMeJkEhttps://youtu.be/zoN_OLD1eU8 About Stephen Richards Stephen began working at Goldacres full time in 1995 after completing a Diploma of Ag Science at Longerenong. He has worked in all facets of the business mostly in parts/sales/marketing in St Arnaud where held the position of site manager. Stephen moved to Ballarat in 2014 to become Goldacres Marketing Manager. This program/project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/extension-adoption-drought-resilience-farming-practices-grants To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“So say 2022, where we had good starting soil water, a very good timing of the break, a very positive forecast, then Yield Profit was really gung-ho and put on by, I think it was 150 kilograms of nitrogen Curyo, which is, well, very few farmers are going to do that commercially, that's over 300 kilo's per hectare of urea, whereas the nitrogen bank treatment tends to only put on about 60, or thereabouts, kilograms per hectare of nitrogen, so about 130 kilos of urea, pretty much year in, year out, thus far as, as what it's done. “So it kind of smooths your input and it puts the expenditure after good years." In the sixth episode of our eight-part Planning for Profit series we caught up with Professor James Hunt who shared his nitrogen planning and decision making research and how it may help you plan your nitrogen requirements this season. Professor James Hunt holds the William Farrer Lectureship in Agronomy at the University of Melbourne. He is an agronomist and crop physiologist specialising in water limited productivity of dry-land cropping and mixed farming systems. His research focuses on using combinations of management and genetics to increase productivity and profitability of grain-based farming systems. Prior to joining the University of Melbourne, he worked for La Trobe University for six years, CSIRO for seven years and the Birchip Cropping Group for five years. He has received awards for research excellence including the GRDC Seed of Light and the outcomes of his research have been widely adopted by grain growers across south eastern Australia. RiskWi$eThis podcast was funded by RiskWi$e. RiskWi$e (the National Risk Management Initiative), is a five-year national initiative of approximately $30 million that will run from 2023 to 2028. It seeks to understand and improve the risk-reward outcomes for Australian grain growers by supporting grower on-farm decision-making. Visit: https://grdc.com.au/research/trials,-programs-and-initiatives/riskwiseTo learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.    Disclaimer: The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.