Grains Research and Development Corporation

Can gravel and sand mulches help improve crop establishment on some of WA’s most challenging soils? A GRDC investment led by SLR Agriculture is testing innovative approaches to soil constraints including non-wetting soils, waterlogging and salinity. The research is investigating the potential for gravel and sand surface mulches to conserve soil moisture, reduce evaporation and limit the movement of salts towards the soil surface, with some unexpected results emerging along the way. The work features in GRDC’s 6-part series exploring practical approaches to managing soil constraints across WA. 📹 Watch the full video: https://bit.ly/4z2bTtB #GRDCVideo #SoilConstraints #SoilManagement #CropEstablishment

WEBINAR RECORDING: Partner with GRDC, online – Insights into where GRDC is investing and why 💻 https://bit.ly/4dGYRco Where is GRDC investing in the next year and why? This session explored how GRDC investment decisions are made, the pathways for engagement, and practical ways to contribute ideas and projects that help create solutions for Australian grain growers. GRDC Acting Head of Strategy Insights and Planning Brett Ford shared opportunities to connect, collaborate and help shape future investment priorities. #GRDCEvent #Investment #Engagement

The best leaders don't have all the answers. They ask good questions. They remain curious. They challenge their own assumptions and seek to understand perspectives beyond their own. The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program challenges participants to think differently about agriculture, leadership and the role they can play in shaping the future of the industry. It's not about becoming the loudest voice in the room. It's about developing the skills, confidence and perspective to contribute in meaningful ways. Through GRDC's support, six funded places valued at approximately $15,000 each are available for people working in grain-growing businesses and grain industry-aligned organisations. Applications close 30 October 2026. 🔗 Apply now: https://bit.ly/4bKerD1 #TRAIL2027 #GRDCPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #EmergingLeaders

🚜 There's nothing quite like seeing a system working in the paddock. Recently, a group of Great Southern WA growers completed a GRDC-supported study tour through Tasmania and Victoria to explore surface and subsurface drainage systems across a range of farming environments. Throughout the tour, participants visited farms, research sites and active drainage installations, connecting with growers, advisers, researchers and contractors to gain practical insights into drainage design, landforming, machinery, maintenance and water management. A key outcome was the confidence participants gained in the progress already being made in Western Australia, with many concluding that Great Southern growers are helping lead innovation in broadacre subsurface drainage. The experience also highlighted opportunities to further strengthen drainage design capability, technical support and knowledge sharing across the industry. #GRDC #GRDCStudyTour #FarmDrainage #WaterManagement #ResearchExtension #AustralianGrains

⚠️ GRDC is investing $4.7 million to help the Australian grains industry prepare for significant changes to phosphine worker exposure limits. Phosphine remains the primary fumigant used across the grains industry to manage storage pests and maintain access to insect-free grain markets, meaning the changes could have implications for both on-farm storage and grain delivery practices. GRDC’s research program complements broader industry activities being coordinated through Grain Trade Australia, with both focused on supporting a nationally consistent and compliant approach to phosphine management under the new limits. The investment will support research to better understand phosphine exposure across the grain supply chain, development of a practical on-farm testing procedure and generation of data to support future phosphine label updates. The work is being guided by a steering committee representing 18 organisations across the grain value chain, including researchers, grain handlers, storage specialists and chemical suppliers. The new worker exposure limits are currently scheduled to take effect from 1 December 2026 in most jurisdictions, although implementation timelines may vary between states and territories. 🔗 Read the full media release: https://bit.ly/4yNCAlH #GRDC #MediaRelease #Phosphine #GrainStorage #StoredGrain #FarmSafety #AustralianGrains

🔥 For WA grower Tim Haslam, surviving a life-threatening harvest fire sparked a commitment to improving farm safety awareness among the next generation of agricultural workers. After suffering burns to more than 30% of his body and spending a week in a coma, Tim has been sharing his experience with farming communities and young people preparing to enter the industry. One presentation to about 180 agricultural students reinforced the impact that personal experiences can have in communicating the consequences of farm accidents. Tim is particularly passionate about reaching young people early, before unsafe practices become established habits. He also chairs The Farming Collective, supporting life-changing burns research through the Fiona Wood Foundation. The Farm Safety Series is a GRDC investment led by AgCommunicators in partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health and ifarmwell, part of Adelaide University. 📹 Watch the full video: https://bit.ly/4zizSEz #GRDCVideo #FarmSafety #HarvestSafety #YoungFarmers #FireSafety

🌾 International Day of Rural Women is an opportunity to recognise the women contributing across farms, agricultural businesses, rural communities and the wider grains industry. For GRDC, that includes Chair Sharon Starick, who has been named South Australia’s winner in the Women in Agriculture category at the Australian Agriculture Awards, a joint initiative of ACM Agri and the National Farmers’ Federation. With husband Matthew, Sharon runs a broadacre and pig enterprise at Punthari on the Murray Plains, where they were early adopters of no-till and lentils. Her contribution has also extended well beyond the farmgate, with leadership roles across grains, animal health, natural resource management, drought resilience and rural business support. She is also passionate about encouraging more women into leadership roles and more people into agriculture. Sharon will now represent South Australia at the national awards in Canberra on 19 November. Congratulations Sharon, and to all the rural women making a difference across Australian agriculture! 🔗 Learn more about International Day of Rural Women: https://bit.ly/4hL4oBi #GRDC #InternationalDayOfRuralWomen #WomenInAgriculture #WomenInAg #AustralianAgriculture

Effective grain storage requires the right combination of pest management, hygiene, chemical stewardship and workplace safety. The latest GRDC podcast features Ben White and Chris Warrick from the GRDC Grain Storage Extension Team, discussing practical grain storage best practice including fumigation timing, chemical application, ventilation, withholding periods and the use of diatomaceous earth for storage hygiene. The episode also explores recent research and practical approaches to managing stored grain insects, reducing resistance risk and improving safety around grain storage systems. 🎧 Listen to the podcast: https://bit.ly/47acDkb #GRDCPodcast #GrainStorage #StoredGrain #GrainHygiene

🐌 Post-harvest grain cleaning can provide another line of defence against snail contamination. GRDC’s 'More effective control of pest snails in Australian grain crops' investment, led by Adelaide University, is developing new biological knowledge, surveillance and control methods to strengthen integrated snail management. WA grower Kieran Allison uses a system that screens larger snails, rocks and other admixture from harvested grain before it passes through rollers. The rollers operate at about a 1.2mm gap, allowing smaller snails similar in size to canola seed to be crushed before the cleaned grain moves into storage. This approach complements year-round management strategies including baiting, weed control, monitoring and stubble management. 📹 Watch the full video: https://bit.ly/4APPktE #GRDCVideo #SnailManagement #GrainQuality #GrainStorage #IntegratedPestManagement #CropProtection

🔥 A harvest fire left WA grower Tim Haslam with burns to more than 30 per cent of his body and a week in a coma. The experience permanently changed the way he thinks about farm safety. Tim is now sharing the lessons from that day to help other growers make safer decisions during harvest. Among his key messages are knowing the wind direction, wearing long pants and long sleeves, taking time to assess options rather than panicking, and staying in the vehicle if a fire is approaching. His experience is a reminder that emergency planning and appropriate protective clothing need to be part of everyday harvest preparation, not considered only after something goes wrong. Tim also chairs The Farming Collective, which raises funds for burns research through the Fiona Wood Foundation. The Farm Safety Series is a GRDC investment led by AgCommunicators in partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health and ifarmwell, part of Adelaide University. 📹 Watch the video: https://bit.ly/4zizSEz #GRDCVideo #FarmSafety #HarvestSafety #FireSafety #AustralianGrains