Together, they explore the motivations behind running test strips and the key insights gained along the way. The growers share honest reflections on using data to guide decisions 📊, optimise inputs 💧🌾, and refine their approach for future seasons 🌤️.

Listeners will come away with practical, paddock-ready advice 💡 on integrating VRT and test strips into their own farming systems.

🌾 If you want to hear more, like 👍 and subscribe 🔔 to the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🚜🎙️

This podcast episode is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and the Australian Government through funding from the National Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.

Support the show: https://mfi.greecosy.us/about/membership/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://mfi.greecosy.us/about/membership/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The post Test Strips, Tough Seasons: What VRT Is Really Delivering appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

In this episode, Chris chats with:

• Bailey Kilpatrick from SwarmFarm Robotics, who shares insights into how on-farm robotics can transform time, data and spraying management.
• Harry Brown, a Lameroo grower, who reflects on how autonomy could fit into their farming system

🙌 The Grain Automate event was supported by the GRDC and SPAA, giving growers the chance to see new tech up close, ask questions, and think critically about what fits their farming business.

🌾 If you want to hear more, like 👍 and subscribe 🔔 to the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🚜🎙️

If you missed Part 1 of this podcast, head to https://mfi.greecosy.us/podcast/ 

For more information on SwarmFarm Robotics head to https://www.swarmfarm.com/

#MSFFarmTalk #SustainableAg #MalleeFarming #FarmersLeadingTheWay #AgPodcast #SoilHealth #DroughtResilience

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The post Part 2 Curiosity to Commitment – Farmers Navigating Ag Tech Adoption appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

🎧 Stick with us—there’s about 30 seconds of background noise at the start as we resolve some mic issues, but the audio improves quickly!

In this episode, Chris chats indoors with:

• Mick Caughey, WA grower managing 5,000ha with VRT & trial strips

• Bryson Rudiger, Mallee farmer about his gradual shift into adopting new technologies.

• David Daniel, a Pinnaroo grower who shares his thoughts on the learning curve of tech 

• Damien Fielke, machinery expert and rep, providing insights into the gear that’s getting attention.

Together, they explore what it takes for farmers to move from curiosity to full commitment when adopting agricultural technology.

📌 Part 2 will take you out into the paddock for a deep dive into autonomous machinery, featuring SwarmFarm and thoughts from a local grower.

🙌 The Grain Automate event was supported by the GRDC and SPAA, giving growers the chance to see new tech up close, ask questions, and think critically about what fits their farming business.

Support the show: https://mfi.greecosy.us/about/membership/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The post Part 1 Curiosity to Commitment – Farmers navigating ag tech adoption appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

• What causes dry saline patches to emerge or expand

• How rainfall and evaporation affect salt movement

• Realistic strategies for recovery and long-term management

This conversation is a must-listen if you’re managing low rainfall mixed farming systems and need practical support navigating drought-affected salt patches.

Useful Links & Resources:

Dry Saline Land Resources
A practical decision tool to assess your site and select appropriate management actions:
🔗 Dry Saline Land Decisions Tree

101 Soils Questions Book (Chapter on Salinity)
Explore common questions and answers about managing dry saline land and other soil constraints:
🔗 101 Soils Questions Book

Learn about identifying and managing Mallee Seeps (a different form of salinity):
🔗 Mallee Seeps Decision Tree

This podcast episode is supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT).

Support the show: https://mfi.greecosy.us/about/membership/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The post Salinity and Drought – What every farmer should know appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

Whether you’re questioning if you’ve got compaction or weighing up the cost of amelioration, this episode offers practical knowledge you can use to assess your paddocks and improve decisions.

📚 Want more soil know-how?
This episode is based on questions from the 101 Soils Questions book, developed with support from SAGIT. You can download your free copy from Soils Connect.

This episode is part of the MSF FarmTalk – 101 Soils Questions podcast series and is proudly supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT). Special thanks to SARDI’s Nigel Wilhelm for sharing his expertise.

Support the show: https://mfi.greecosy.us/about/membership/

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The post Tackling Compaction with Strategic Ripping appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

In this episode, we cut through the confusion and get straight to the facts. Nick Paltridge sits down with Amanda Schapel from PIRSA to unpack what soil carbon actually is, how it interacts with soil function, and what practical steps farmers can take to improve carbon levels on broad acre cropping land.

We cover:

• The types of carbon in your soil (and which ones matter)

• How organic matter breaks down—and how to slow the loss

• Whether cover crops and stubble retention are worth it

• What carbon means for water-holding capacity, fertility & resilience

• Key limitations for increasing soil carbon in low rainfall zones

If you’ve ever wondered whether carbon farming is realistic in your paddock—or just want to know how to make your soil more productive and resilient—this episode is for you.

Resources mentioned:
📘 Explore the 101 Soils Questions Book – www.soilsconnect.com.au
📍 Join the Soils Connect Facebook Group for weekly updates https://www.facebook.com/groups/soilsconnect

This episode is part of the Farm Talk – 101 Soils Questions podcast series and is supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT).

Support the show: https://mfi.greecosy.us/about/membership/

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The post Cutting through the carbon clutter appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

We talk through:

• What soil biology actually is

• How microbes help crops survive drought, disease, and nutrient stress

• The role of stubble retention, crop diversity, and nutrients in promoting soil life

• Whether herbicides and drought impact soil biology

• Why microbes might be chewing through stubbles faster than they used to

• And yes… the science behind burying cotton underpants in your soil!

Whether you’re managing sandy soils or wondering how to build a stronger biological base for crop production, this episode offers practical insights backed by decades of research.

🔗 Want to learn more about soil biology and other soil constraints?
Check out Chapter 6 of the 101 Soils Questions Book and more on the Soils Connect website:
👉 https://www.soilsconnect.com.au/resources

🎧 This podcast is part of the “Enhancing Farmer Knowledge of Soil Function to Improve Management Outcomes” project, proudly supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust.

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The post Feeding the Soil, Fueling the Farm appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

Brad shares his take on why he made the switch, the efficiencies he’s seeing, and the learning curve that came with handing over the reins (or in this case, the spray boom) to automation.

If you’ve been thinking about getting into autonomous machinery, or you’re curious whether it really pays off, this is one worth tuning into.

Topics covered:

• What drove Brad to purchase a SwarmBot

• How it compares with traditional spraying methods

• Efficiency gains and unexpected wins

• Downtime, learning curves, and what surprised him

• Future opportunities and how the system might evolve

This podcast is part of the GRDC Grain Automate project, supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Support the show: https://mfi.greecosy.us/about/membership/

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The post What it’s really like using a SwarmBot appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

Nick reflects on his time with MSF, sharing memories from the paddock, what he’s learned about Mallee farming systems and community, and why he’s optimistic about the future of low rainfall agriculture.

It’s a warm, honest conversation to wrap up an important chapter for MSF’s FarmTalk podcast and to celebrate the work that goes on behind the scenes to connect growers with ideas, research, and each other.

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The post A Farewell Chat with Nick Paltridge appeared first on Mallee Sustainable Farming.

They discuss the drivers behind the surge in pulse production, practical agronomy tips for low rainfall zones, and a new long-term rotation trial that’s set to provide valuable insights for years to come.

🛠️ Key Topics Covered

• Why pulses are playing a bigger role in Mallee farming systems

• Choosing paddocks and planning rotations

• Early sowing strategies and seeding depth considerations

• Disease management and variety selection

• Inoculation and the latest guides

• An overview of the new long-term rotation trial and what it will measure

💡 Quote from Dr Penny Roberts

“There’s always been that recognised need to have legumes in the system. It’s about getting the right fit and planning ahead.”

🔗 Resources & Links

GRDC Inoculation Guide

This podcast is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate Smart Agriculture program.

Support the show: https://mfi.greecosy.us/about/membership/

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