The Land • 2nd December 2021

Nuffield scholar still probing for sensor answers

Five years after he was awarded a Nuffield scholarship to study the topic of plant available water, John Stevenson is still searching for answers. "I learned it probably matters in Australia more than anywhere in the world, because we're so reliant on rainfed agriculture," he said.

The Land • 25th November 2021

Parkes farmers expand crop types to match variable rainfall

It pays to be flexible when you're farming in the central west where rainfall in the past dozen years has amounted to as little as 230mm or as much as 1087mm, and peak rainfall can come at any time of the year.

The Land • 18th November 2021

Getting back in the game

AFTER four years without it, Narromine farmer Scott Vincent is looking forward to getting back into cotton. “When there’s water available, it’s my biggest gross margin crop,” he said. “This will be my first cotton crop since 2016-17. There hasn't been much grown anywhere in the last few years and prices are looking very, very strong."

The Land • 11th November 2021

No 'monster' yields for the western Riverina

Grain growers in the western Riverina could be forgiven for experiencing a touch of envy right now. “The crops have been okay, considering,” said Gavin Howley, of Kyalite. “Although you get a bit tired of saying that. And it’s hard for people in our area to look on social media and see these monster crops not far away from us."

The Land • 2nd November 2021

Better allocations boost confidence in the Riverina

Riverina farmer Nic Morona has always been an optimist, but there's an extra spring in his step this year thanks to a wetter winter and healthy irrigation allocations. "This could be one of the better seasons that we've had in a long time," he said.

The Land • 28th October 2021

For the love of the spud

Fourth generation seed potato grower James Weir is gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year. Not only does he have ground to prepare for the next crop of seed potatoes, but the annual ram sale is just over a week away.

The Land • 21st October 2021

Pulses prove a perfect fit at Quandialla

Don't ask Lyndon McNab what yields he expects from this year's winter crops - harvest is still more than a month away and he's not one for counting the proverbial chickens before they hatch. Softer seasonal conditions mean the crops are "still pretty green here".

Groundcover • 27th September 2021

Inoculant development a key to growing pulses on acidic soils

Growers in north-eastern Victoria have a long history of growing pulse crops, but they have not always been successful. Pulses prefer well-drained soils with a pH greater than 6.0, which is almost the opposite of many of the region’s soils.

The Farmer Magazine • 27th August 2021

Lifting the GM ban

Choice, competitiveness and confidence have been identified as the primary benefits from the NSW Government’s decision to allow the commercial production of genetically modified food crops.

Groundcover • 7th August 2021

Risk management means weed management for SA grower

Some risks – changing rainfall patterns, variable soil types and extreme weather events such as frost and heat – cannot be controlled, so South Australian grower Andrew Hansen focuses on those that he can.

The Farmer Magazine • 18th July 2021

Winding back the war on wind energy in Australia

Proposed wind developments often meet a barrage of opposition, from concerns about disruption, noise and health to poor compensation for landholders. But education and experience have seen a new harmony blossom between the turbines and their neighbours.

TurfBreed • 13th July 2021

Light rail turf test on track for Parramatta project

Two TurfBreed varieties are being tested to see which is most suitable for use in sections of green track in the Parramatta Light Rail project. The landscaped green track – a first for New South Wales – is expected to become a key attraction.

TurfBreed • 13th July 2021

Rivers a blessing and a curse - Hawkesbury floods in review

NSW turf growers have faced a rollercoaster ride over the past five months, with many affected by the flooding that followed record rainfall in March.

The Farmer Magazine • 9th July 2021

Inside Australia's almond industry

Driven by rising global demand for plant-based healthy foods such as nuts and nut products, Australia has become a world leader in almond production. There are now more than 15.4 million almond trees planted across four states.

Groundcover • 10th May 2021

Chemical residue adds layer of complexity to legume production

Vetch has been a staple in the rotation of third-generation grain grower Jeff Nickolls since he began producing it during the 1990s on the family farm south of Pinnaroo, near the South Australia–Victoria border.

The Farmer Magazine • 6th May 2021

Health star rating for juice debate continues as citrus growers fight back

The citrus industry is not giving up on its quest to overturn a decision to slash the Health Star Rating of unsweetened 100 per cent fruit and vegetable juices.

Groundcover • 10th April 2021

Confidence secures role for pulse

Lentils are not as difficult to grow as they sound – that is the major lesson Brad Dennis says he learned in his first three years of growing the crop at Baroota, north of Port Pirie on the east coast of South Australia’s Spencer Gulf.

Groundcover • 9th April 2021

Grower groups prove a valuable learning curve

Yorke Peninsula agronomist Stefan Schmitt is the first to admit he faced a daunting task starting two new discussion groups for the GRDC Southern Pulse Extension project on the opposite side of the Spencer Gulf.

The Farmer Magazine • 11th March 2021

From little things big things grow

Farming co-ops have operated for around 140 years, but a new wave of talent and a fresh way of looking at how they are run has led to many more being established that will continue to grow.

The Farmer Magazine • 1st March 2021

Upturning the power of perishables

An ACCC inquiry has recognised the power imbalance between farmers and major processors and retailers, recommending new laws to address unfair contracts and other harmful trading practices.