Grains Convo

The Grains Convo podcast shares independent insights from DPIRD’s research - and a look at the work shaping the future of farming in WA - to help you think through your options and plan ahead with confidence.

Grains Convo is a science podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 90 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Grains Convo, a science show with 90 episodes published.

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  Episode #1

  Late season pests: what to watch through harvest

  Sep 29, 202625 minS5

  Harvest is underway in parts of the WA grainbelt, but there’s still plenty happening on the insect front. DPIRD research scientists Dusty Severtson and Svetlana Micic join Cindy Webster and Janette Pratt to discuss the pests growers are seeing now, including armyworm, diamondback moth, native budworm, aphids and redlegged earth mite. They unpack what to look for through harvest, the importance of correct identification and thresholds before making control decisions, withholding periods, grain contamination risks and what growers can do now to prepare for next season. Episode links: DPIRD’s PestFacts WA Reporter app DPIRD’s PestFacts WA newsletters DPIRD’s Native budworm trapping webpage Updated TIMERITE® tool . Hosted on Australian Wool Innovation’s (AWI) website. Updates done by Cesar Australia in collaboration with CSIRO, AWI, GRDC and Meat & Livestock Australia. DPIRD’s 2026 Winter Spring Insecticide Guide Cesar Australia’s Beneficials chemical toxicity table

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  Episode #4

  Harvest underway: insights from across the grainbelt

  Sep 24, 202623 minS4

  Harvest is already underway in parts of WA, but the 2026 grain season remains a mixed bag across the grainbelt. In the latest Grains Convo, Tim Scanlon speaks with Development Officer Alison Lacey, who draws on DPIRD’s regional intelligence network to unpack what’s happening across WA’s grain growing regions: where crops are performing strongly, where low rainfall and subsoil moisture are limiting yield potential, and the risks to watch as the season finishes. They also look at how intelligence from across the regions helps DPIRD respond as conditions change, with the Season 2026 webpage bringing together timely information and tools to support grower decisions. Episode links: Visit the Season 2026 webpage Seasonal Climate Outlook DPIRD Weather Stations PestFacts PestFacts Reporter App GIWA Crop Report Harvesting Short Crops Managing stubble

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  Episode #3

  After the frost what happens next?

  Sep 7, 202622 minS4

  A freezing night does not automatically mean a damaged crop. The real challenge is knowing where to look, what signs to trust and when the impact is serious enough to change course. DPIRD frost researcher Brenton Leske joins Tim Scanlon to examine what frost is doing across the WA grainbelt. They discuss how to assess affected areas, monitor crop recovery and weigh up difficult decisions such as cutting for hay or limiting further inputs. Episode links: DPIRD Frost Page Managing frost risks Management options for frosted crops Cereal frost guide Canola and pulses frost guide Canola genetics research to help develop more frost resistant varieties

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  Episode #2

  Seeing the unseen: Smarter virus detection for grain crops

  Sep 1, 202619 minS4

  Crop viruses can be difficult to identify, with symptoms often mistaken for waterlogging, nutrient deficiency, frost or other diseases. DPIRD research scientist Tim Scanlon speaks with plant virologist Dr Chi Cao about new diagnostic methods making virus detection faster, more precise and more comprehensive. Discover how improved testing can identify multiple viruses at once, uncover unexpected and emerging threats, and help growers and consultants make earlier, better-informed crop management decisions. Chi also explains what to look for in the paddock and how to collect samples for testing. Episode links: Pestfacts WA interactive reporting service PestFacts WA Map Download the 2026 insecticide guides DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services Useful grains and other field crops factsheets National Biosecurity Week: DPIRD scientists harness new technology to enhance detection of grain crop diseases

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  Episode #1

  Weathering the finish: WA’s seasonal outlook

  Aug 21, 202617 minS4

  WA’s grain growing regions are experiencing a season of stark contrasts, with strong rainfall totals in some areas and increasingly dry conditions in others. DPIRD's Dr Meredith Guthrie joins Tim Scanlon to unpack the season so far and what could lie ahead for spring, harvest and summer. They discuss rainfall and soil moisture across the grainbelt, the risk of frost, the climate drivers influencing the outlook and the tools growers can use to understand conditions in their region. Episode links: VIsit the DPIRD 2026 season webpage Visit the DPIRD climate and weather webpage Seasonal Climate Outlook newsletter Rainfall to date tool Soil water tool Weather stations and radar

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