The 4Farmers Podcast

In this 24th episode, Bill sits down with Professor Ken Flower to explore a remarkable career spanning Zimbabwe, the UK and Western Australia, and a lifetime of work in agronomy, weed science and farming systems. Ken shares how growing up on a farm in Zimbabwe shaped his path into agriculture, from early work in tobacco research and weed control to completing postgraduate studies in weed science and eventually moving into academic research. The conversation dives into the evolution of no-till farming, why early systems often struggled, and the key changes that helped no-till become a practical and widely adopted approach. Ken also reflects on the major differences between farming systems in Zimbabwe and Western Australia, particularly around input use, scale and efficiency. Now a Professor at the University of Western Australia, Ken is working at the intersection of agronomy, herbicide resistance, weed mapping and emerging technology. He discusses how AI, computer algorithms and better use of historical data could help farmers and researchers better understand weed distribution and improve future weed management. Topics covered include: • Ken’s farming background and early career in Zimbabwe • Tobacco agronomy and weed control • The transition from conventional cultivation to no-till • Moving to Western Australia and joining WANTFA • Herbicide resistance and weed management • Weed mapping and data-driven agriculture • The opportunities and limitations of AI in farming • What the future of agronomy could look like A fascinating conversation about how farming systems evolve, what we can learn from the past, and where technology may take agriculture next. Subscribe for more conversations with farmers, researchers and industry leaders shaping the future of Australian agriculture.

In this special 23rd episode of the 4Farmers Podcast, Bill sits down with Jacinta Patterson and Cameron Beeck to explore the story, people and future behind 4Farmers. First, Jacinta Patterson shares what it was like growing up in the Patterson family and watching 4Farmers grow from its early beginnings into a business that has spent more than 30 years supporting Australian farmers. She reflects on her parents Phil and Wendy Patterson, the unconventional early days of the company, and the family values that continue to shape the business today. Then, Bill speaks with 4Farmers General Manager Cameron Beeck about his journey from growing up on a WA farm to agricultural science, plant breeding and spending 14 years living and working in Mozambique. Cameron shares his perspective on farming systems, food security, agricultural innovation and the challenges of introducing new technology in different farming environments. The conversation finishes with Cameron’s vision for the next chapter of 4Farmers, using practical research, field trials and innovative thinking to develop better solutions for Australian growers. A conversation about family, farming, innovation and continuing to make a positive impact on agriculture.

In Episode 22 of the 4Farmers Podcast, Bill Crabtree sits down with Professor Wallace Cowling, one of Western Australia’s most respected plant breeders, to explore the science and history behind lupins, canola and modern crop breeding. Wallace shares how his career took him from Melbourne and the United States to the WA Department of Agriculture, where he worked alongside renowned agricultural scientist John Gladstones. He reflects on the discoveries that helped domesticate lupins, the changing role of legumes in farming systems and the long-term breeding programs that brought better-adapted canola varieties to the WA wheatbelt. The conversation also tackles common misconceptions about hybrid and genetically modified crops, explains how herbicide-tolerant canola transformed weed control and crop rotations, and explores the importance of maintaining genetic diversity for future farming conditions. Drawing on a lifetime of research, Professor Wallace Cowling leaves young agricultural scientists with one enduring piece of advice: talk to farmers, understand their problems and ensure research delivers practical value in the paddock.

Rob Delane has spent much of his career at the heart of Western Australian agriculture, from early research in the Ord River and Geraldton to senior leadership in the Department of Agriculture and major roles in Australian biosecurity. In this episode, Bill Crabtree and Rob revisit the evolution of WA farming, including the early days of lupin and grain research, deep ripping, no-till adoption, collaboration between farmers, researchers and agribusiness, and the sometimes heated debates that came with agricultural change. Rob also reflects on leading the Department of Agriculture through major restructuring, the development of Australia's biosecurity systems, and why he believes the future of agricultural R&D may require greater direct leadership from growers themselves. A fascinating conversation about the people, disagreements, decisions and innovations that helped shape modern Western Australian agriculture.

In EP 20 of Bill Crabtree’s conversation with Geoff Fosbery, they explore the challenges, weaknesses and opportunities shaping modern Western Australian agriculture. Drawing on more than four decades of experience, Geoff explains why diversity is essential to building resilient farming systems and why repeatedly relying on the same crops, herbicides and management practices will eventually create problems. The conversation covers crop rotation, herbicide resistance, ryegrass competition, early sowing, soil acidity, lime and gypsum, no-till farming, regenerative agriculture and the emerging potential of lentils in Western Australia. Geoff also shares practical lessons from his career as a technical farm consultant, including why getting a crop established ahead of the weeds can sometimes be more valuable than simply increasing seeding rates. It is a wide-ranging conversation filled with practical agronomy insights, farming history and important lessons for the future of Australian agriculture.