The Land • 20th 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.

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.

TurfBreed • 23rd February 2021

Turf as a living fire break

The bushland surrounding its coastal communities is one of the major attractions of the Noosa area on Queensland’s popular Sunshine Coast. But after being evacuated with 7000 others as a wall of flames bore down on Peregian Beach in spring 2019, The Retreat operators Dan and Nora Gleeson vowed to take action to better protect the resort against future bushfires.

The Farmer Magazine • 17th February 2021

Pests and weeds – how to remove unwanted guests

Every year, weeds are estimated to cost almost $5 billion in chemical control and production losses – including yield, environmental damage and grain contamination. Similar data is not readily available for insect pest control, which varies from year to year depending on seasonal conditions.

The Farmer Magazine • 15th January 2021

Date time

The coronavirus pandemic shut down Australian fresh fruit exports in January 2020, leaving produce valued at millions of dollars sitting on pallets in cool rooms at the Sydney wholesale markets. Among the casualties was 5000 kilograms of fresh jujubes, also known as Chinese red dates, from the Duffell family who operate at Coleambally.

The Farmer Magazine • 11th January 2021

Grains of hope after harvest

There’s been a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of New South Wales grain growers, with the 2020 harvest pouring rivers of gold into storages across the state. The record-breaking numbers of the grains harvest – the latest forecast is 17.6 million tonnes – led to headaches for some.

Groundcover • 6th January 2021

Legumes a winner for Wimmera farming family

If you had to pick the perfect spot to grow legumes, Wimmera grower Tim Rethus reckons he has found it. With his brother Luke, their father Geoff, and farmhands Glenn Pietsch and Dale Sluggett, Tim farms 5000 hectares spread across properties at Vectis, Jung and Noradjuha, in the central and southern Wimmera.

The Farmer Magazine • 12th November 2020

Health star rating for juice to be slashed, devastating many farmers

We know Australians don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables – countless studies have confirmed it and they show it’s getting worse, not better, as consumer waistlines continue to expand. The finger is being pointed at sugary foods and drinks as one of the major culprits, and the Health Star Rating for juice is being targeted.

Groundcover • 3rd November 2020

Mindset shift makes ‘radical’ possible

People tend to be naturally resistant to change, struggling with the uncertainty that comes with letting go of established routines and ideas. This is why Victorian grower Lachlan McDougall concedes that reducing or eliminating insecticides is a big psychological hurdle.