Shared Ag Solutions by BCG

Planning for Prosperity: Grain storage economics with Chris Warrick

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 18:30:00 +0000

“A lot of us at harvest, when pressure's on and we're trying to get more harvest hours in a day, more grain in per day, if we're limited by a grain moisture, we go and look at, I'll get a contract harvester in, I'll buy a bigger header next year, I'll go to a second or a third header next year. What if we could manage moisture in grain do it with less headers? Because we get more hours in a day.

“So we can start harvest a few hours earlier or run it a few hours later or those overcast days where the moisture is just sitting, a percent above our deliverable. What if we could run our headers on those days and not have as much infrastructure, capital tied up in harvest equipment aeration cooling to blend moisture in storage.

“So then, all of a sudden, we get grain storage paying itself with harvest logistics.” Chris Warrick

In the final episode of the series Planning for Prosperity, BCG’s Janine Batters chats with grain storage expert Chris Warrick about the economics of grain storage and some of the key things to consider before investing in grain storage. The conversation covers aeration cooling, cone and falt bottom silos, grain sheds, bunkers, grain bags, logistics and people management.”

This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today

For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/

Resources

Call 1800 WEEVIL (1800 933 845)

Grain Storage GrowNote manual including economics

https://storedgrain.com.au/grdc-grownotes-grain-storage/

Research report by the Kondinin Group on ground level storage options

https://storedgrain.com.au/ground-level-grain-storage-2024/

Recent grower examples

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/farm-business/grain-storage/grain-storage-keeps-harvest-operations-on-a-roll

https://groundcover.grdc.com.au/farm-business/grain-storage/the-automatic-advantage-of-grain-cooling

About Chris Warrick

Growing up on a farm near Horsham, Victoria, Chris has pursued a career in agriculture focusing on helping farmers make informed decisions.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Business from Marcus Oldham Collage Chris worked for Kondinin Group as a research officer based in Wagga Wagga, NSW and later Toowoomba, QLD. During his time with Kondinin Group Chris broadened his experience of different farming systems around Australia and gained an insight into various drivers for key business decisions.

With a broader scope of knowledge, Chris moved back to Victoria to take up a position as a management consultant before venturing out to become an independent consultant operating as Primary Business. Chris enjoys continually learning new and innovative approaches and tools to assist clients and help them achieve their goals.

Chris also manages the GRDC-funded National Grain Storage Extension Project with a team of researchers and extension specialists. He is also the specialist contact for the southern region of Australia (Southern NSW, Vic, TAS and SA) for all things grain storage. Chris travels the region conducting workshops and assisting growers with their on-farm storage management.

Find Chris on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-warrick-67985989/?originalSubdomain=au

Find Janine on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/

If you loved the podcast, you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip

In the spirit of reconciliation, BCG acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.

Disclaimer:

The Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (“BCG”) makes no warranties regarding merchantability, fitness for purpose or otherwise with respect to this podcast. Any person relying on this report does so entirely at their own risk. BCG and all persons associated with it exclude all liability (including liability for negligence) in relation to any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast and any consequences arising from the use of such opinion, advice or information to the full extent of the law, including but not limited to consequences arising as a result of action or inaction taken by that person or any third parties in reliance on the report. Where liability cannot be lawfully extinguished, liability is limited to the re-supply of the report or payment of the cost of resupplying the report. You should seek independent professional, technical or legal (as required) advice before acting on any opinion, advice or information contained in this podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Prosperity: Mature fleabane control with Angus Butterfield

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 19:00:00 +0000

Controlling mature fleabane is tricky. With funding from the Hugh Williamson Foundation and the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund BCG’s Research Agronomist Angus Butterfield completed a research project on controlling mature fleabane.

The information shared is based on research conducted for the purpose of exploring flea bank control options and should not be considered direct advice. Please note, some herbicide rates and applications discussed may not align with registered labour requirements or maximum residue limits. We strongly encourage you to consult your agronomist or local advisor before implementing any of the strategies covered here. They can provide guidance tailored to your conditions, ensure compliance with current labour requirements and help you adhere to MRL guidelines.

The conversation covers the two different double-knock trials Angus undertook to ascertain the most effective mature fleabane control options. In the first trial the first pass was altered with a standard second pass knock. In the second trial, the second pass was altered with a standard first pass knock. In the second trial many of the rates were camera sprayer rates.

This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today

For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/

About Angus Butterfield

Angus Butterfield joined BCG in March 2022 as a Research Agronomist. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology majoring in Agronomy from Latrobe University and has relocated to BCG from the outskirts of Melbourne. Angus has a passion for high quality research and is keen to improve agricultural practices and production as well contributing the BCG’s large scope of research to benefit growers.

Find Janine on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/

If you loved the podcast, you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Prosperity: Paraquat and diquat implications and summer weed control tips with Professor Chris Preston

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:42:44 +0000

“I'm talking dry sowing because we've got a whole range of new pre-emergent herbicides, mostly from other groups, so group 13 and so on, and group 15, which have completely different properties to what we had 20 years ago.

“We've actually now got an opportunity where we can use that set of chemistry to deal with our ryegrass issues and add to that our crop competition from getting our crop in early in the season. So it's just thinking, I think, about the whole system and saying, well, instead of trying to make knockdown herbicides work all the time, what if we replace knockdown herbicides with something that's different?” - Professor Chris Preston

In the sixth episode of the BCG’s podcast series Planning for Prosperity BCG’s Janine Batters speaks with The University of Adelaide’s Weed Management Professor Chris Preston about the possible implications of the APVMA’s review of paraquat and diquat and alternative weed control options. The conversation also includes Chris’s top herbicide and planning tips to control weeds to maximise moisture capture this summer.

This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today

For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/

About Dr Chris Preston

Dr Chris Preston is Professor of weed management at the University of Adelaide. He works on understanding and management of herbicide resistant weeds.

The research of the weed science group at the University of Adelaide is focussed on better management of weeds in agricultural cropping systems. Areas of current research activity include: the evolution, biochemical mechanisms and management of herbicide resistant weeds, ecology and biology and management of emerging weeds in agriculture, gene flow from herbicide tolerant crops and its implications for farm management, risk assessment for weeds and herbicide tolerant crops and patterns of genetic diversity in weed populations.

Find Janine on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/

If you loved the podcast, you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Prosperity: Safety First: What’s the Rush with Warakirri’s Jono Robinson

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +0000

“I find if you make the time, efficiencies come, if you're rushing around and always in a hurry to get to the next job, you find things break. Things happen, things go wrong, things get missed and that's when you lose time and then you're further behind.” Warakirri Farm Manager Jono Robinson.

In the fifth episode BCG’s Janine Batters chats with Warakirri Farm Manager Jono Robinson. The conversation covers why the corporate farm always puts safety first, what structures and procedures the team have in place to ensure everyone arrives home safely, farm safety apps and policies, tool box meetings and leading by example.

This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today

For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/

About Jono Robinson

Jono Robinson is the farm manager at Warakirri. The property he manages spans 14000 hectares and is located between Donald and Warracknabeal in Victoria’s Wimmera. He managers nine full time staff plus harvest casuals. He believes prioritising farm safety is simple “everyone deserves to go home safe”.

Helpful links:

https://www.vff.org.au/project/making-our-farms-safer/

https://www.safeagsystems.com/farm-management-software

https://www.lucidity.io/

https://www.warakirricropping.com.au/

Find Jono Robinson on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jono-robinson-8b1563a0/?originalSubdomain=au

Find Janine on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/

If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Prosperity: NetZero 2050: What farmers need to know with Professor Richard Eckard

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +0000

“Because the fossil fuel sector has started reducing its emissions, the transport sector started reducing its emissions and agriculture stayed the same. Suddenly, this year, we're not 14 percent like we were last year, we're 17%. It's a percentage game. So what's going to happen over time is if agriculture does nothing, we'll become the only sector of greenhouse gas emissions while all the other sectors go to zero.” Professor Richard Eckard.

In the fourth episode of our series Planning for Prosperity, sponsored by Action Steel, BCG’s Janine Batters chats with soil carbon royalty: The University of Melbourne’s Professor Richard Eckard. The conversation covers:

What are greenhouse gas emissions

What is meant by scope 1, scope two and scope three emissions

What the difference is between NetZero and carbon neutral

What is carbon sequestration

What are carbon credits and how they are being used

The difference between offsets and insets and why knowing the difference is crucial

Whether planting trees or locking up vegetation is counted in reducing emissions and whether it’s a good option

Commercial nitrogen plants using solar panels and how they can help farmers reduce emissions

Why it’s important to know your greenhouse gas emission per tonne of grain/wool etc number, how to calculate it and how it is likely to be used

The Carbon Farming Outreach Program

This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today.

For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/

The information in this episode is general in nature. Before making any financial decisions, speak to your trusted financial adviser.

About Professor Richard Eckard

Richard is Professor of Carbon Farming at the University of Melbourne and National program leader in the Carbon Research Centre for Net Zero Agriculture. His research focuses on carbon farming and accounting towards carbon neutral agriculture, managing extreme climate events and options for agriculture to respond to a changing climate. He developed the first carbon accounting tools in Australia in 2001, these tools now form a national agreed standard in Australia for on farm carbon accounting; his research and expertise provided the science basis for the development of six carbon offset methods in Australia. Richard is a science advisor to the Victorian, Australian, New Zealand, Ireland, UK and EU governments, the International Livestock Research Institute and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on climate change adaptation, mitigation and policy development in agriculture. In 2021, Richard was named on the Reuters list of the world’s 1,000 most influential climate scientists.

About Grace Hosking

Grace joined BCG in Jan 2023. Grace studied a Bachelor of Agriculture, majoring in Economics at The University of Melbourne. Grace grew up on a broadacre cropping and livestock farm at Quambatook, where her passion for agriculture began. Stemming from her own experience growing up in a rural community, Grace has a strong desire to see farmers and their communities thrive and she enjoys working at an organisation that plays a pivotal role in providing opportunities for industry to improve in both productivity and profitability. Outside of work, Grace enjoys staying involved in her family farm, cooking, walking her dog Mae and spending afternoons at the lake.

Helpful links:

Professor Richard Eckard

https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/2680-richard-eckard

Calculators

https://aginnovationaustralia.com.au/ea-platform/

https://ruminati.com.au/

https://piccc.org.au/resources/Tools.html

The Carbon Farming Outreach Program

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/agricultural-land-sectors/carbon-farming-outreach-program

Find Professor Eckard on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-eckard-23936042/?originalSubdomain=au

Find Grace on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-hosking-32449b237/

Find Janine on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/

If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip

This project is delivered with funding support from the Commonwealth of Australia through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program in collaboration with the Grower Group Alliance.

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Prosperity: IPM: will it work for you with Dr Paul Horne, Tim Pohlner and Casey Sim

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 18:00:00 +0000

“That price gap's a hurdle for a lot of farmers. I feel that I've probably got other farmers that would, but the majority of them would not be keen to spend that amount of money compared to what they could be doing with Trojan.

“Most farmers will want to see an economical return from that long term. And because we need that from every aspect of farming.

“Farming is a money-making venture. We're not doing it as a hobby.

“As Paul suggested, I think probably just picking a paddock at a time is a good strategy. I've run into more issues where people want to go all IPM instantly. That's presented issues, just getting around the farm, monitoring and making sure we don't get any chronic outbreaks.

“You'll see the value, I suppose, from using products like Vandecor.

“You should only have to do one of them [spray] where, in a long spring where, Heliothis or Etiola come in early, you may be doing two Trojans.

“It's worked well actually.” Wimmera agronomist Tim Pohlner.

“IPM isn't just doing nothing. IPM involves the three control options. And there is nothing else. All the control has to come out of one of those three tools.

“The advice that I give to people, if it doesn't work, then that's of no value to anyone. So, if there's pests there, you have to control them. It's just how you choose to use it. Which products you choose, whether it's cultural or whether it's a pesticide.

“There's no advantage to anyone in watching insects and other pests destroy their crop.

“All IPM is, is trying to use things in the best possible way so they work together.” Entomologist Dr Paul Horne

The third episode of our series Planning for Prosperity, sponsored by Action Steel, highlights that while planning is crucial in farming, so too is flexibility. That using Integrated Pest Management in broadacre farming isn't black and white, all or nothing.

Take a listen and decide for yourself whether you might begin to introduce IPM at your place.

The conversation covers what is IPM, how to apply it in a broadacre setting, beneficial versus pests, the cost of applying broad spectrum insecticides versus selective including price, impact on beneficials, resistance buildup, marketing options, and time spent spraying. Monitoring was also discussed and the amount of time required both at the start of implementation and throughout the season.

With slugs causing severe establishment damage, particularly in the Wimmera, monitoring and control were also discussed with BCG’s Casey Sim explaining BCG’s current Optimising Slug Management project with SARDI.

This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today

For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/

About Dr Paul Horne

Dr Paul Horne is an entomologist and since 1996 has been owner and director of IPM Technologies Pty Ltd, based in Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia.

His work on IPM in a range of crops has taken him to different places including Yemen, Thailand, Spain, Denmark, Indonesia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. A strong focus of his work has been the implementation and adoption of IPM strategies. This has also involved a strong research component on the impact of pesticides on species of beneficial invertebrates.

For many years Paul delivered a lecture series on entomology and IPM at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia and now runs online courses in entomology for IPM Technologies. He has also supervised undergraduate and post-graduate students from La Trobe and Melbourne Universities. Paul completed both his undergraduate degree and PhD at La Trobe University.

Paul has written several books on insects and IPM (the two most important co-authored with Jessica Page) and guidebooks to insects in potato crops and brassica crops in Australia. He has published over 70 scientific and conference papers on insects and IPM, as well as many other articles in industry literature. He has received awards from the Australian Vegetable industry and the World Potato Congress for his work.

About Tim Pohlner

Tim Pohlner is an agronomic consultant and owner of AgVantage Agronomy.

Tim has worked as an agronomist for 18 years and consults throughout the Wimmera and Southern Mallee.

AgVantage Agronomy helps progressive farmers to maximise productivity and profitability via new technology and farming systems together with proven, best practice basic principles.

Helpful links:

https://ipmtechnologies.com.au/

IPM videos with Paul: https://www.bcg.org.au/news/?content_type=videos

www.agvantageagronomy.com.au

Find Tim Pohlner on

X @PohlnerTim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-pohlner-70268487/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=au

Find Tim Reethus on X @TRethus

Find BCG on

@BCG_Birchip

Instagram

@bcg_birchip

https://www.linkedin.com/company/birchip-cropping-group-bcg-/?viewAsMember=true

Find Janine on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-batters-a5083b166/

If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au or linktr.ee/bcg_birchip

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Prosperity: You say La Nina, I say El Nino with Kate Finger

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 18:00:00 +0000

“This year, in terms of the IOD, it's just been sitting there in neutral. We've been just watching it, seeing if there's anything developing. At the moment, there's a slight hint that it's looking like it could go a little bit, negative IOD, which would actually increase our chances of some rainfall, but similar to the Pacific Ocean, in the Indian Ocean, that is purely just based on a temperature difference between the Horn of Africa and the waters off the coast of Sumatra.

“Again, like the El Nino for La Nina patterns to develop, it's not just the sea surface temperatures that we need there to be in a certain pattern. We also need the trade winds. pressure patterns, and the cloudiness also to come to the party. And that's also not really happening at this point of time either

In the second episode of our eight-part series Planning for Prosperity, Janine Batters talks with resident BCG climate expert Kate Finger about why sometimes, one climate outcome is predicted, yet what we actually experience, feels like the opposite.

Kate explains the importance of understanding that climate predictions are based on probabilities and how to decipher these, what is really being predicted for this spring and summer period and all the factors that need to align for us to receive the much talked about spring rains.

This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today

For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/

About Kate Finger

Kate Finger is a Research Project Manager at BCG. Kate joined BCG in May 2019. Kate believes the work she is a part of is helping to improve the profitability and sustainability of Australian agriculture. Kate holds a Bachelor of Science – Majoring in Agricultural Science and a Masters of Agricultural Sciences specialising in Crop Production from the University of Melbourne. Kate loves horse riding, gardening and hiking.

Helpful links:

BCG Technical Bulletin

To sign up for the BCG Technical Bulletin visit www.bcg.org.au/product/bcg-membership/

The Break newsletter:

subscribe online or contact the.break@agriculture.vic.gov.au

BoM Climate Outlooks:

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/summary/

If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Prosperity: The VIP of Conflict Resolution with Neville Brady

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Poorly managed conflict is the biggest internal threat to your business’ bottom line.

There is no change without conflict and there is always conflict where there is change.

The right conflict; healthy arguments over differing ideas in an environment of mutual respect; stimulates both personal and business growth.

“The reason why it's [good conflict resolution] so critical is because everything that we do in every group has human interaction at its core. The quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our relationships. Overwhelmingly. It's a basic human need. Being part of a supportive, caring group has a bigger impact on our health, both physical and mental, than anything else.

“More than getting the right exercise, eating the right diet, going to the doctor, taking the right medicine. Being part of a supportive, healthy group is just a basic human need and that's why it's so important to be able to address conflict early and appropriately. It's just determines the quality of our lives.”

In the first episode of our eight-part series Planning for Prosperity Janine Batters talks with Brows Up conflict resolution specialist Neville Brady. The conversation covers the VIP approach, recognising our own part in the problem and waving the white truce flag, the difference between criticism and critique and the importance of improving your business structures, resources, competencies and commitment.

The conversation is a great example of how humour can be used to tackle tricky conversations and the importance of leadership, self awareness and keeping your eyebrows up!

This podcast is sponsored by Action Steel. Visit https://www.actionsteel.com.au/ today

For more information on chemical storage visit: https://www.actionsteel.com.au/downloads/standard-chemical-sheds-brochure-size-price-guide/

About Neville Brady

Neville is a, father, husband and business consultant. He conducts laugh out loud funny mens’ health presentations and has a particularly unique stress management technique that makes people laugh.

He grew up on a farm near Swan Hill with three brothers. His mother had an electric cow prod and no cows. As a teenager he learnt a valuable lesson from his mum when he said “Mum, everyone is giving me the shits!” His Mum said, with a gentle tone, “Oh sweat heart… everyone can’t be wrong.”

He and his team from Browsup consulting who work with SME’s and family businesses – where’s there an extra layer of complexity – improve outcomes by improving business inputs: structures, resources, competencies and commitment.

Helpful links:

https://www.browsup.com.au/

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Using drones in agriculture with Adam Mitchell

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0000

“So it's essentially a drone in a box. And it is automated, but it's only just been released, so it will open up at a predetermined time, do its map, and come back, park up and close up for the night. And people are sending them out every day to collect data,

“It's in a weatherproof station that sits outside a shed or something like that. As long as it's got internet and power, you can then plan flights at any time of the day.

“So it will open up. It's got its own little weather station inbuilt. So if it is too windy, it won't take off. So there are some safety measures in place as well.

In our eighth and final episode of our series On the Horizon: Farm Tech Janine chats to Droneland Australia’s Adam Mitchell about how drones are being used in agriculture to support farmers. The conversation covers types of drones, costs, capabilities including spraying, spreading, seedings, mapping, analysing, topography collection, firefighting, livestock management and agricultural research. The conversation also covers safety, licensing, support and contracting.

This podcast is sponsored by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today

About Adam Mitchell

Adam has always been interested in business and envisaged becoming an entrepreneur. He has always admired people who believe in a vision and back themselves to make their vision a reality. After high school, Adam became a qualified electrician and from there moved into facilities management. At the same time, he attended university (night school) whilst raising a young family. Adam completed a Bachelor Degree in Business. It was then that Adam first came across the use of drones in agriculture. His family has had cattle farms for some time and it was at their farm in Gympie that a neighbour was using a drone to access an area he could not reach by foot or vehicle. Adam and his two brother in laws and now business partners began researching how drones were being used in agriculture, and saw a real opportunity in the space.

Helpful links:

https://www.droneland.au/

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjbxlxCBlyXCPqJeEMHTAA

Instagram: @dronelandau

Facebook: Droneland Australa

LinkedIn: Droneland Australia

We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today

If you loved the podcast you can show your support by rating it five stars and sharing it with your friends.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Batching machines with David Ferrier

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

“Just put all your chemical in as per order. The important thing is to give it the granules time to dissolve, get into the solution.

“we've got scales so we can measure all the chemicals in, especially your bulk chemicals out of shuttles.

“We need to know the specific density of each chemical which is all different so you need to know that before you're doing it. I've used the scales and I also put a mark on the shuttle to know that I'm getting the right volume. Using the scales properly I think there could be a cost benefit as far as using the right amount of chemical versus what the scale is saying.”

In our seventh episode of our series On the Horizon: Farm Tech Janine Batters chats to Jil Jil farmer David Ferrier about his chemical batching machine. The conversation covers cost, transport, chemical antagonism, scale weights, safety, tank sizes, efficiencies, challenges and automation.

This podcast is sponsored by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today.

About David Ferrier:

Wirrabilla Farms is managed and owned by David Ferrier, his wife De-Anne, and David's parents John and Robyn. David and De-Anne have three children. Wirrabilla Farms is situated 35 km north of Birchip at Jil Jil and covers approximately 5000 ha. David and his family run a mixed broadacre farming operation growing crops and livestock. Crop types include wheat, barley, canola, lentils, safflower and vetch.

Helpful links:

https://gnsengineering.com.au/

Follow David Ferrier on X: @WirrabillaFarms

We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today.

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Farm Security with AgCloud's Grant Sutton

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

On the Horizon: Farm Tech

Farm security with AgCloud’s Grant Sutton

“But there's some more organised criminals that have a bit more nous about how they’ll tackle a farm, and they'll go to power, and they'll cut power. That can disable the system if it's not planned correctly.

“It can cause the internet to go down. Say for example, so there's no alerts coming through, or it could stop a camera from working altogether.”

In our sixth episode, sponsored by GE Silos, we chat with AgCloud’s Grant Sutton. Grant shares the latest advancements in farm security cameras. The discussion covers AI improvements, underground sensors, systems, connections, power and internet requirements, functions, notifications, support and planning.

About Grant Sutton

Grant Sutton has dedicated his career to helping businesses navigate the complexities of the digital world. Passionate about supporting small businesses, Grant has two decades of experience within the IT industry and has focused the past six years on predominantly supporting farmers.

In 2018, Grant co-founded AgCloud, a pioneering venture aimed at bringing cutting-edge technology solutions to farms across Australia. His work has included involvement in both state and federal government technology rollouts, as well as collaborating with companies to bring AI camera technology to farms. Through his involvement in several successful technology rollouts, Grant has played a key role in modernising agricultural operations, ensuring that Australian farms remain at the forefront of innovation.

Outside of his professional work, Grant is passionate about exploring new technological trends and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-changing digital world.

You can find Grant on on:

X: https://x.com/AgCloudAU

https://www.agcloud.com.au/

This podcast is sponsored by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today

Helpful links:

Farm connectivity program

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/better-connectivity-plan-regional-and-rural-australia/farm-connectivity-program

Cyber Safety

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-secure-online

Information on improving your internet and mobile access

https://birrraus.com/

https://regionaltechhub.org.au/

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Alternative weed control technologies with Dr Michael Walsh

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

“I’m most excited about, probably for the wrong reasons, lasers because they are awesome to use!

“There's just so much energy! It just gets blasted into these weed plants in such a fantastic, intense, short period of time. It's quite satisfying to burn these weeds to a crisp with a big laser.”

In our fifth episode of our series On the Horizon: Farm Tech Janine chats to Professor Michael Walsh from Charles Sturt University about alternative weed control options. The conversation covers mechanical controls, electronic laser controls, microwave lasers, gametocides, allelopathic chemicals, mircojet sprayers and intense blue light technology which includes the Weed Seed Destroyer.

We discuss efficacy, availability, cost, energy and adaptability for broadacre use.

This podcast is sponsored by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today

About Prof. Michael Walsh

Prof. Walsh’s research career commenced in 1999 with his role as a weed agronomist in AHRI (Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative) where initially he explored herbicide resistance in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and techniques for managing herbicide resistant weeds. A focus of this research was the evaluation and development of harvest weed seed control systems. This work contributed to the now widespread understanding and use of these systems in Australian and global grain production. In 2016 Prof. Walsh moved to the University of Sydney where in the role of director weed research he led the northern grains regions Innovation in Crop Weed Control project. Research activities in this and additional projects (Machine learning for Weed Recognition, Site-specific weed control in ginger cropping systems) identified the opportunities of weed recognition technologies and site-specific weed control capability. This has resulted in more recent research efforts being focused on the development of novel non-chemical weed control techniques for in-crop use.

As part of the Gulbali Institute at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Prof. Walsh is continuing to research and develop novel weed control technologies with a focus on progressing suitable approaches through to commercialization. These research activities are integrated within the broader cropping systems research activities at CSU as well as being connected nationally and internationally with similar efforts.

Helpful links:

Global Neighbor – developers of the Weed Seed Destroyer (https://g-neighbor.com/)

Azaneo – pulsed electrical weeding https://azaneo.au/

Electrical weeding - Zasso https://zasso.com; Rootwave https://rootwave.com/; Weed Zapper https://theweedzapper.oldschoolmanufacturing.com/

Carbon Robotics – autonomous laser weeding (https://carbonrobotics.com)

The Row Shaver interrow mowing (https://www.rowshaver.com/)

The Weed Chipper https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2020.34

Energy requirements of weed control technologies https://doi.org/10.1017/wet.2019.32

We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Autonomous farming with SwarmFarm's Bailey Kilpatrick

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This podcast was brought to you by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today.

"Our market has been in tow behind sprayers. They don't take a huge amount of horsepower to pull. It means we can keep our weight really light for a 24 meter boom, for example, we'll be eight ton loaded, so you can get on the ground nice and early. We don't want to go bigger because that's going away from where SwarmFarm began.

“The idea with the swarm is you've got lots of small, lightweight machines doing the job that you'd think of one big one doing. So the reason why we aren't going bigger is because we believe that you can do the same job with less horsepower and less weight.”

In our fourth episode of our series On the Horizon: Farm Tech, Janine chats with SwarmFarm’s Bailey Kilpatrick about the company’s autonomous SwarmBots and how they are being used in different agricultural industries across Australia.

The discussion includes horsepower, cost, management, regulations, servicing and parts, connectivity requirements, average maximum hours per bot, training and attachments.

About Bailey Kilpatrick

Bailey Kilpatrick is SwarmFarm’s Portfolio Manager for Emerald.

Bailey is particularly passionate about the technology that Australian farmers are adopting on their farms which result in better farming decisions. Bailey has a broad depth of knowledge in the ag industry gained from living and working around Australia on various properties and holds a Bachelor of Agriculture.

You can find SwarmFarm on:

X: https://x.com/SwarmFarm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swarmfarm-robotics/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarmfarmrobotics/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/swarmfarm

Helpful links:

https://www.swarmfarm.com/

https://www.swarmfarm.com/journey/

We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - New farm office tech and cybersecurity with Carmen Quade

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This podcast was brought to you by GE Silos. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today.

New farm office tech and cybersecurity with Carmen Quade

“I think the first thing to do is to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. When new things come in, we’re often bad at it.

“And as adults, you don't like that feeling of things being difficult or hard or harder than they were. And it's just acknowledging that initially things are going to be harder before they get easier and just persisting through that.”

In our third episode, we chat with AgriFocused’s Carmen, who shares the latest farm office technology to make your office time more efficient. Carmen also discusses some quick wins when it comes to software already available but not always used to its fullest. The farm business expert also shares some of her tips on how to protect yourself, your farm business and those you love from cybercrime.

About Carmen Quade

Carmen Quade runs AgriFocused, a training business specialising in farm business skills. She has worked as a university lecturer in accounting and agribusiness and enjoys working with people to improve their business skills. She also has extensive experience in local government, both in economic and community development as well as corporate governance. Together with her husband and other family members, she is a partner in a mixed farming business at Tallimba, in the Northern Riverina. She works her magic in the office, not the paddock. Carmen holds a Bachelor of Business (Agricultural Commerce), a Master of Professional Accounting and a Cert IV in Training Small Groups.

You can learn more about Carmen by visiting her website: https://agrifocused.com.au/ and following her on X @AgriFocused or Instagram @AgriFocused

You can find Carmen on:

X: https://x.com/AgriFocused

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-quade-agrifocused-97412b198/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agrifocused/

https://agrifocused.com.au/

Helpful links:

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/better-connectivity-plan-regional-and-rural-australia/farm-connectivity-program

Password Management Software

https://www.lastpass.com

https://www.dashlane.com

https://1password.com/

Software for ease of data entry for invoices

https://dext.com/

Software to make your own forms and related QR codes

https://www.jotform.com/

https://www.google.com.au/forms/about/

Cyber Safety

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-secure-online

Information on improving your internet and mobile access

https://birrraus.com/

https://regionaltechhub.org.au/

Tips on managing emails

https://agrifocused.com.au/managing-emails/

We would like to thank our sponsors GE Silos for making this episode possible. Visit https://www.gesilos.com.au/ today

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Is protein mapping the new nitrogen management strategy? With Jonathan Dyer

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

“It did happen, that's true, but it's also a pain in the neck with logistics, right? At harvest time, it's hard sending trucks different ways and shifting shifters at your own site or having some trucks going to the site and some going home. The secret sauce is getting your economy right and using these maps to inform what you're doing next time around.”

In our second episode, we chat with Kaniva farmer Jonathan Dyer, who shares how he uses the data from his protein machine to create nitrogen maps to guide nitrogen inputs.

The conversation covers technical set up, software, support, data handling, protein machine models as well as some of the challenges he has experience and where he looks for advice.

About Jonathan Dyer

Jonathan is a grain grower from Kaniva in the West Wimmera. The Dyers grow a mixture of bread and durum wheat, canola, lentils, faba beans and chickpeas in a continuous cropping rotation. Having a background in IT, Jonathan completed a Nuffield Scholarship in 2015 on ‘big data’ in agriculture.

You can find Jonathan on:

X: https://x.com/dyerjonathan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-dyer-10aa5135/

BCG website: https://www.bcg.org.au/our-team/jonathan-dyer/

Helpful links:

Broden Holland on X: https://x.com/brodenholland

Tim Rethus on X: https://x.com/TRethus

Crop Scan: https://cropscanag.com/

John Deere HarvestLab: https://www.deere.com.au/en/technology-products/precision-ag-technology/data-management/harvest-lab-3000/

SMS: https://www.agleader.com/farm-management/sms-software/

Addressing El Nino Misconceptions at Trials Review Day: https://www.bcg.org.au/addressing-el-nino-misconceptions-at-bcg-trials-review-day/

Nitrogen Banking: https://www.bcg.org.au/research-article/investigating-nitrogen-management-using-urea-pulses-and-temporary-intercropping-2022/

SPAA: https://www.spaa.com.au/

Nuffield Scholarships: https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Innovation and Pulling the Trigger with Tim Rethus

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

“Take that challenge. Nut it out, really. Have a bit of persistence and find support from someone else to get ideas on how to fix it. What are other people doing to get through those wet conditions? How do they do that? Can I keep climbing that ladder, rather than starting back from scratch? Because, as we climb that ladder, our yields are improving.

“We're getting way better soil health. It's better for our bottom line. We're getting way more sustainable farms.”

In the first episode, we chat with Wimmera farmer Tim Rethus, who shares his insights into new farm tech and when to pull the trigger.

About Tim Rethus

Tim Rethus farms a rainfed broadacre cropping enterprise near Horsham. He has degrees in engineering and commerce from the University of Melbourne and worked in the oil industry for 11 years before returning to the family farm in 2013. Tim has been a member of the BCG Wimmera Advisory Committee since 2016 and joined the BCG Board in October 2018. He has a strong interest in agricultural innovation and data-based precision technologies.

You can find Tim Rethus on:

X: https://x.com/trethus

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-rethus-06229787

BCG website: https://www.bcg.org.au/our-team/tim-rethus/

Helpful links:

Weedsmart: https://www.weedsmart.org.au/

Follow Jonathan Dyer on X: https://x.com/dyerjonathan

Follow Broden Holland on X: https://x.com/brodenholland

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailer - On the Horizon: Farm Tech

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 00:03:51 +0000

Welcome back to Shared Ag Solutions by BCG. We're thrilled to introduce our latest series, On the Horizon: Farm Tech!

In this season, BCG is on a mission to bring the latest in on-farm technology to our listeners. We'll explore topics such as protein mapping, optical spray technology and batching machines. This series will also investigate non-chemical weed management strategies, the latest in drone technology for livestock management, autonomous spray units and on-farm security.

Hosted by mixed-farmer and BCG Media and Communications Manager, Janine Batters, you can expect each episode to delve into the benefits, challenges and solutions associated with implementing new technology.

More about BCG:

www.bcg.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Profit: Soil health with Dr Rob Norton

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

“One of the issues with P allocation on, say, lentils or chickpeas is that they're not that responsive in terms of yield, but they do respond, in terms of nitrogen fixation. So phosphorus will stimulate growth, which stimulates nitrogen fixation. So your pulses, and even some of the medic pastures and vetch, for example, they're usually the first things we cut phosphorus off, in our crop budget. But in fact, what happens is, by doing that, you actually reduce some of the nitrogen input from the legume nitrogen fixation.”

In the final episode in our first series of Planning for Profit, I caught up with Dr Rob Norton to hear his top tips for soil and health and profitability in 2024.

About Dr Rob Norton

Rob Norton has expertise in crop nutrition, farming systems and agronomy. For the past 40 years he has worked in education, training and research for the Australian grains industry with various organisations including The University of Melbourne, where he still holds an adjunct position. His research projects at the University of Melbourne concerned crop adaptation, soil health, plant nutrition and plant responses to high carbon dioxide and climate change.

From 2009 until 2017 he was the IPNI Regional Director (Australia New Zealand) where he led a program of applied plant nutrition research and extension projects across Australia. He has been a regular speaker at industry conferences and national and international science conferences. Following the establishment of his consulting company, Norton Agronomic, he was engaged in soil fertility projects across Africa as well as local consultancies to a range of public and private organisations.

He holds a PhD in crop agronomy and has authored 150 refereed scientific publications, as well as many more articles for industry. His work was recognised in 2017 with awards from the Grains Research and Development Corporation and Fertilizer Australia.

You can find Dr Robert Norton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-norton-22a99547/?originalSubdomain=au

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Profit: Spot spraying AI technology with Stephen Richards

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

“…he's got individual nozzle controls, so Hawkeye, he's only spot spraying. That's all he uses the machine for. He's got a few sprayers. This is just his spot sprayer and he thinks that there is no other way to spray. He said he kicks back, watching the footy on his iPad. He's got his height controller controlling the boom. He's got his weed detect turning on and spot spraying his weeds and that's probably the best case scenario.”

In the seventh episode of our eight-part Planning for Profit series we caught up with Stephen Richards from Goldacres to learn more about brown on green and green on green spot spraying AI technology and whether it can help you be more profit in 2024.

Useful links
https://www.goldacres.com.au/
https://youtu.be/xbapksXKJxI
https://youtu.be/-5n4jEMeJkE
https://youtu.be/zoN_OLD1eU8

About Stephen Richards

Stephen began working at Goldacres full time in 1995 after completing a Diploma of Ag Science at Longerenong.

He has worked in all facets of the business mostly in parts/sales/marketing in St Arnaud where held the position of site manager.

Stephen moved to Ballarat in 2014 to become Goldacres Marketing Manager.

This program/project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/extension-adoption-drought-resilience-farming-practices-grants

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Profit: Nitrogen planning with Professor James Hunt

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

“So say 2022, where we had good starting soil water, a very good timing of the break, a very positive forecast, then Yield Profit was really gung-ho and put on by, I think it was 150 kilograms of nitrogen Curyo, which is, well, very few farmers are going to do that commercially, that's over 300 kilo's per hectare of urea, whereas the nitrogen bank treatment tends to only put on about 60, or thereabouts, kilograms per hectare of nitrogen, so about 130 kilos of urea, pretty much year in, year out, thus far as, as what it's done.

“So it kind of smooths your input and it puts the expenditure after good years."

In the sixth episode of our eight-part Planning for Profit series we caught up with Professor James Hunt who shared his nitrogen planning and decision making research and how it may help you plan your nitrogen requirements this season.

Professor James Hunt holds the William Farrer Lectureship in Agronomy at the University of Melbourne. He is an agronomist and crop physiologist specialising in water limited productivity of dry-land cropping and mixed farming systems. His research focuses on using combinations of management and genetics to increase productivity and profitability of grain-based farming systems. Prior to joining the University of Melbourne, he worked for La Trobe University for six years, CSIRO for seven years and the Birchip Cropping Group for five years. He has received awards for research excellence including the GRDC Seed of Light and the outcomes of his research have been widely adopted by grain growers across south eastern Australia.

RiskWi$e
This podcast was funded by RiskWi$e. RiskWi$e (the National Risk Management Initiative), is a five-year national initiative of approximately $30 million that will run from 2023 to 2028. It seeks to understand and improve the risk-reward outcomes for Australian grain growers by supporting grower on-farm decision-making.

Visit: https://grdc.com.au/research/trials,-programs-and-initiatives/riskwise
To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Profit: Agronomic planning with Rik Maatman

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

“So once you've had a reasonable population that's got through, it's just taken moisture off the predominant crop, which in this case, we're talking about wheat, and that yield loss, let's call it, uh, 400 kilos at a, you know, 300 gross value per ton. There's a big input there that they could have factored in. He's talking 120 gross return for a 30 input. It's just such a smart move. And there was a reason why we put it in the plan.”

In the fifth episode of our eight-part Planning for Profit series we caught up with Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Rik Maatman who shared his agronomic tips to plan for profit this season.

About Rik Maatmann

Rik is an agronomist with Nutrien Ag Solutions in Birchip. He grew up on a dairy farm and studied agriculture and business at La Trobe University. He has worked extensively throughout the district as well as spending time in Esperance and Northern Queensland.

To connect with Rik: rik.maatman@nutrien.com.au or 0437 168 167

To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Profit: Drought proofing with Fiona Best

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

“It's not something that you implement and then you're finished with. You have to keep thinking about it… keep talking about it. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and you probably are going to have to change the tactics along the way. It's about that re-evaluation process,” - BCG CEO Fiona Best.

In the fourth episode of our eight-part Planning for Profit series we caught up with BCG's Fiona Best to learn how we can better prepare our farm business (and ourselves) for the next inevitable drought.

About Fiona Best

In her position as BCG CEO, Fiona works to bring relevant agricultural research and extension opportunities to farming communities by attracting investments to improve the prosperity of broadacre farming locally, regionally and nationally. Fiona is excited to lead BCG because of the large part the organisation plays in the community and its role supporting farmers to be viable and prosperous. She is proud of BCG’s achievements and contributions over the last 31 years and has a strong desire to contribute positively to the ongoing journey and evolution of the group.

Fiona is also Regional Director, Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (Australian Government Future Drought Fund) and is committed to enhancing the drought preparedness and resilience of Victoria’s agricultural industries, the environment and regional communities, encompassing broader agricultural innovation. Engaging with a range of industry and community stakeholders.

After growing up on her mixed enterprise family farm, cropping and producing sheep, Fiona studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne.

Victoria Drought Hub

Led by the University of Melbourne and with headquarters at UM’s Dookie Campus, the Vic Hub is a Partnership between five farming organisations (Birchip Cropping Group, Food & Fibre Gippsland, Mallee Regional Innovation Centre, Riverine Plains and Southern Farming Systems), four universities (UM, Deakin, Federation and La Trobe), and the State Government (through Agriculture Victoria).

One of eight hubs established nationally under the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF), the Vic Hub works to enhance the drought preparedness and resilience of Victoria’s agricultural industries, the environment and regional communities, encompassing broader agricultural innovation. Engaging with a range of industry and community stakeholders, the Vic Hub links research with community needs for sustainable outcomes.

Other useful resources:

Victoria Drought Hub
https://www.bcg.org.au/research-results/drought-hub/
https://vicdroughthub.org.au/

Ross Kingwell, UWA School of Agriculture and Environment paper:
How drought affects the financial characteristics of Australian farm businesses
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-8489.12195

BCG staff contacts
https://www.bcg.org.au/about/team/
To learn more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au
This program/project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/extension-adoption-drought-resilience-farming-practices-grants

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Profit and worklife balance with Carmen Quade

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +0000

“In terms of profitability and working more hours to make more profit. The first thing I tell people is at what point do you reach maximum? You max out pretty quickly because you can only work a certain number of days in a row at a certain number of hours before you just collapse from physical exhaustion. So you reach maximum pretty quickly. Now, if you're talking about making good decisions, you don't max out. And that essentially is where you make more money.”

Is there such a thing as work-life balance? If, so how do you achieve it? I caught up with AgriFocused’s Carmen Quade recently who shares some of her insights into some of the simple things you can do right now to get the balance more in your favour.

Read the blog on the same topic: https://agrifocused.com.au/why-is-work-life-balance-so-hard/

About Carmen

Carmen Quade runs AgriFocused, a training business specialising in farm business skills. She has worked as a University lecturer in Accounting and Agribusiness and enjoys working with people to improve their business skills. She also has extensive experience in Local Government, both in economic and community development as well as corporate governance. Together with her husband and other family members, she is a partner in a mixed farming business at Tallimba, in the Northern Riverina. She works her magic in the office, not the paddock. Carmen holds a Bachelor of Business (Agricultural Commerce), a Master of Professional Accounting and a Cert IV in Training Small Groups.

You can learn more about Carmen by visiting her website: https://agrifocused.com.au/ and following her on X @AgriFocussed or Instagram @AgriFocused

To find out more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Profit: How to attract and retain good employees with Denise McLellan

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Are you focusing on what you need as a business in terms of labour? Do you know specifically what tasks a prospective employee might be undertaking and have you thought about how much farm culture can affect your staff and long-term profitability? In this podcast we caught up with people and safety expert Denise McLellan who shares her insights on how to attract and retain good employees and how they directly relate to running a profitable business.

https://denisemclellan.com.au/resources

You can learn more about Denise by visiting her website: https://denisemclellan.com.au/ and following her on X @DeniseAMcLellan or Instagram @denise.mclellan

To find out more about BCG visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning for Profit: Farming for profit with Daniel Toohey

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 18:00:00 +0000

Farming and Profit: While we know the weather plays a huge role in whether a season comes off or not, knowing where your money goes and why, as well as where you want your farming business to be in five, ten years, is crucial in running a profitable farm business.

This is the first episode in an eight part series “Planning for Profit”, featuring Daniel Toohey, a Farm Business Advisor at Planfarm Advisory, who uses his wealth of knowledge and experience to provide strategic guidance and support to farming enterprises. He has a Bachelor of Science with a major in Agricultural Science from The University of Melbourne.

Daniel is also a fifth-generation beef, lamb and potato farmer at Springbank, Victoria, so he understands the intricacies of a farming business!

In this episode Dan steps us through some of the easy things we can do now to make our business more profitable and make some of our decisions a lot easier too!

You can hear more from Dan on Generation Ag here and find out about some of Planfarm Advisory's clients experience here.

To find out more about BCG, visit www.bcg.org.au

Disclaimer:

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailer

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 03:41:54 +0000

Welcome to the Shared Ag Solutions podcast by BCG, with your host Janine Batters.

Janine is a partner in a mixed farming operation in the northern Wimmera and looks after media and communications at BCG. She has been busy revamping the BCG podcast and is excited to present a new, eight part series: Planning for profit.

Janine will be talking with farmers, researchers and experts in their field, covering topics such as how to organise your farm for profit AND work/life balance, how to attract good employees in peak seasons and how to keep them, profit margins and where to spend them to reach your goals and the steps you can take to drought-proof your farm.

This show is for those curious to hear the latest news and agricultural research and how to apply it on-farm to improve profitability, decision making, safety, community development and overall wellbeing. It is focused on the listener’s needs with BCG staff and renowned agricultural scientists unpacking growers’ agronomic and business challenges.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Incorporating standing crop pasture rotations into your farming system

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 05:25:22 +0000

Grain paddock feed and timing operations to make the best use of that feed are key determinants for the production and profitability of a livestock enterprise. This podcast explores standing crops within a pasture rotation, and we hear from local farmer Bailey Petering and how he implements grazing of standing crops within his families mixed farming business. This project is funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet the Team: Senior Manager – Corporate and Business Services Vin Delahunty

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 02:34:00 +0000

“It's important to stop and take stock of where you are and what you're doing. It's easy to become consumed by a task or in a series of events.” BCG Senior Manager – Corporate and Business Services Vin Delahunty on how he stays grounded and focussed on his goals. He also shares his passions, and why, as a highly skilled ag professional, he chooses to work at BCG.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet the Team: Genevieve Clarke

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 22:00:00 +0000

BCG Research and Extension Officer Genevieve Clarke shares why she loves long distance running and what spurs her on to complete the last few kilometers, the real reason she loves to travel and the unexpected profession that inspires her to be the best version of herself.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet the Team: Kate Finger

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 10:42:08 +0000

BCG Research and Extension Officer Kate Finger shares how her mother’s advice brought her to Birchip, her family’s tradition of making the Russian Latvian dish pierogi and the unexpected item Kate couldn’t go a day without! Kate also shares how she stays involved in her family’s stud in Mansfield, succession planning and how her Russian grandmother inspires her every day to live her best life.

For more information visit https://www.bcg.org.au/podcasts/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet the Team: BCG CEO Fiona Best on saying yes and brown skivvies

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 23:00:00 +0000

“Say yes and then find out what it involves later. Don't be scared to be a little bit vulnerable... ” BCG CEO Fiona Best shares some of the best advice she’s been given. Fiona also discusses how she deals with challenging situations, building strong relationships as well as why you will never see her in a brown skivvy!

For more information visit https://www.bcg.org.au/?p=924481&preview=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shared Ag Solutions by BCG

Planning for Prosperity: Grain storage economics with Chris Warrick

Planning for Prosperity: Mature fleabane control with Angus Butterfield

Planning for Prosperity: Paraquat and diquat implications and summer weed control tips with Professor Chris Preston

Planning for Prosperity: Safety First: What’s the Rush with Warakirri’s Jono Robinson

Planning for Prosperity: NetZero 2050: What farmers need to know with Professor Richard Eckard

Planning for Prosperity: IPM: will it work for you with Dr Paul Horne, Tim Pohlner and Casey Sim

Planning for Prosperity: You say La Nina, I say El Nino with Kate Finger

Planning for Prosperity: The VIP of Conflict Resolution with Neville Brady

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Using drones in agriculture with Adam Mitchell

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Batching machines with David Ferrier

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Farm Security with AgCloud's Grant Sutton

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Alternative weed control technologies with Dr Michael Walsh

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Autonomous farming with SwarmFarm's Bailey Kilpatrick

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - New farm office tech and cybersecurity with Carmen Quade

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Is protein mapping the new nitrogen management strategy? With Jonathan Dyer

On the Horizon: Farm Tech - Innovation and Pulling the Trigger with Tim Rethus

Trailer - On the Horizon: Farm Tech

Planning for Profit: Soil health with Dr Rob Norton

Planning for Profit: Spot spraying AI technology with Stephen Richards

Planning for Profit: Nitrogen planning with Professor James Hunt

Planning for Profit: Agronomic planning with Rik Maatman

Planning for Profit: Drought proofing with Fiona Best

Planning for Profit and worklife balance with Carmen Quade

Planning for Profit: How to attract and retain good employees with Denise McLellan

Planning for Profit: Farming for profit with Daniel Toohey

Trailer

Incorporating standing crop pasture rotations into your farming system

Meet the Team: Senior Manager ­– Corporate and Business Services Vin Delahunty

Meet the Team: Genevieve Clarke

Meet the Team: Kate Finger

Meet the Team: BCG CEO Fiona Best on saying yes and brown skivvies

Meet the Team: Senior Manager – Corporate and Business Services Vin Delahunty