After a dry season In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge sits down with soil fertility specialist Sean Mason to discuss optimising fertiliser strategies after a challenging 2024 season. 

They cover the critical importance of identifying nutrient-responsive soils to maximise returns on nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, the use of various data layers like NDVI and yield maps for precision agriculture, and the evolving strategies of variable rate technology (VRT).

Sean Mason also highlights the relevance of Phosphorus Buffering Index (PBI) and best practices for avoiding fertiliser toxicity, particularly in lentils.

The episode wraps up with practical advice on managing residual herbicides and maintaining root health to ensure a productive 2025 season.

00:00 Introduction Rethinking Fertiliser Strategy

00:09 Welcome to MSF Farm Talk Podcast

00:12 Expert Insights: Nutrition Decisions Post-2024

00:51 Understanding Nutrient Responsive Soils

01:57 Data Layers for Crop Performance

03:47 Variable Rate Technology Evolution

04:53 Phosphorus Buffering Index and Fertiliser Application

07:29 Root Health and Fertiliser Toxicity

11:19 Managing Residual Herbicides

12:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This episode is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies. 

After a dry season In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge sits down with soil fertility specialist Sean Mason to discuss optimising fertiliser strategies after a challenging 2024 season.&nbsp;
They cover the critical importance of identifying nutrient-responsive soils to maximise returns on nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, the use of various data layers like NDVI and yield maps for precision agriculture, and the evolving strategies of variable rate technology (VRT).
Sean Mason also highlights the relevance of Phosphorus Buffering Index (PBI) and best practices for avoiding fertiliser toxicity, particularly in lentils.
The episode wraps up with practical advice on managing residual herbicides and maintaining root health to ensure a productive 2025 season.
00:00 Introduction Rethinking Fertiliser Strategy
00:09 Welcome to MSF Farm Talk Podcast
00:12 Expert Insights: Nutrition Decisions Post-2024
00:51 Understanding Nutrient Responsive Soils
01:57 Data Layers for Crop Performance
03:47 Variable Rate Technology Evolution
04:53 Phosphorus Buffering Index and Fertiliser Application
07:29 Root Health and Fertiliser Toxicity
11:19 Managing Residual Herbicides
12:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
This episode is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies.&nbsp;

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC & SA's low-rainfall Mallee region. For more information visit: www.msfp.org.au/podcast 

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC &amp; SA's low-rainfall Mallee region. For more information visit: <a href="http://www.msfp.org.au/podcast">www.msfp.org.au/podcast</a>&nbsp;

MSF Farm Talk Podcast

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC & SA's low-rainfall Mallee region.

MSF's Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC &amp; SA's low-rainfall Mallee region.

MSF Farm Talk

Making Every Input Count - Nutrition Strategies for 2025

In this powerful and practical episode, Nick Paltridge sits down with Mary O’Brien, founder of the grassroots mental health initiative Are You Bogged Mate?

Mary shares her trademark no-nonsense approach to rural mental health, offering honest reflections on the pressures faced by farmers, how mental load builds quietly, and why mateship and straight talk are sometimes the best tools we've got.

The conversation dives into:


Why rural men often go quiet when they’re struggling


How Mary uses relatable language (and a bit of humour) to cut through the stigma


The signs to look for in yourself or your mates


Why being available—and being real—makes a difference


Simple ways to start a conversation that could save a life

Whether you’re personally doing it tough or just want to be a better support to your mates, this episode is worth your time.

This episode is part of our "Farming a Growth Mindset" series - practical conversations that focus on the mental and emotional wellbeing when living life on the land.

🔗 Links and Resources


Visit Are You Bogged Mate?


Check out TIACS for free and confidential phone or text support

This episode is brought to you by the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

In this powerful and practical episode, Nick Paltridge sits down with Mary O&rsquo;Brien, founder of the grassroots mental health initiative Are You Bogged Mate?
Mary shares her trademark no-nonsense approach to rural mental health, offering honest reflections on the pressures faced by farmers, how mental load builds quietly, and why mateship and straight talk are sometimes the best tools we've got.
The conversation dives into:
<ul data-start="927" data-end="1231">
<li data-start="927" data-end="981">
Why rural men often go quiet when they&rsquo;re struggling
</li>
<li data-start="982" data-end="1064">
How Mary uses relatable language (and a bit of humour) to cut through the stigma
</li>
<li data-start="1065" data-end="1114">
The signs to look for in yourself or your mates
</li>
<li data-start="1115" data-end="1170">
Why being available&mdash;and being real&mdash;makes a difference
</li>
<li data-start="1171" data-end="1231">
Simple ways to start a conversation that could save a life
</li>
</ul>
Whether you&rsquo;re personally doing it tough or just want to be a better support to your mates, this episode is worth your time.
This episode is part of our "Farming a Growth Mindset" series - practical conversations that focus on the mental and emotional wellbeing when living life on the land.
🔗 Links and Resources
<ul data-start="1579" data-end="1911">
<li data-start="1579" data-end="1689">
Visit <a href="https://areyouboggedmate.com.au/">Are You Bogged Mate?</a>
</li>
<li data-start="1690" data-end="1815">
Check out <a href="https://www.tiacs.org/">TIACS</a>&nbsp;for free and confidential phone or text support
</li>
</ul>
This episode is brought to you by the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government&rsquo;s Future Drought Fund.

Are You Bogged Mate? in the Mallee

In another tough start to the cropping season, with no subsoil moisture and the drought showing no signs of breaking, 'The Agronomist' Jeff Braun took part in the Planning for the Unknown Webinar to help growers work through the complexities of seeding decisions for 2025.

Jeff reflects on lessons learned from 2024 dry sowing, what worked, what didn’t, and explains why 2025 presents a different set of challenges. He covers critical topics including:


How soil types and moisture profiles are influencing seeding decisions


Weed control performance in dry sowing systems


Managing herbicide residue risks


Flexible strategies for crop selection and timing


Avoiding common pitfalls like “weather analysis paralysis”

Jeff’s practical, down-to-earth advice is aimed at helping farmers apply what they know while staying flexible and resilient in the face of ongoing uncertainty.

🎥 Watch the full webinar replay here

This webinar was part of the GRDC RiskWi$e project and the De-Risking Seeding Project, proudly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

This podcast was supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board with funding from the landscape levies. 

In another tough start to the cropping season, with no subsoil moisture and the drought showing no signs of breaking, 'The Agronomist' Jeff Braun took part in the Planning for the Unknown Webinar to help growers work through the complexities of seeding decisions for 2025.
Jeff reflects on lessons learned from 2024 dry sowing, what worked, what didn&rsquo;t, and explains why 2025 presents a different set of challenges. He covers critical topics including:
<ul data-start="681" data-end="960">
<li data-start="681" data-end="755">
How soil types and moisture profiles are influencing seeding decisions
</li>
<li data-start="756" data-end="806">
Weed control performance in dry sowing systems
</li>
<li data-start="807" data-end="843">
Managing herbicide residue risks
</li>
<li data-start="844" data-end="897">
Flexible strategies for crop selection and timing
</li>
<li data-start="898" data-end="960">
Avoiding common pitfalls like &ldquo;weather analysis paralysis&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
Jeff&rsquo;s practical, down-to-earth advice is aimed at helping farmers apply what they know while staying flexible and resilient in the face of ongoing uncertainty.
🎥 Watch the full webinar replay <a href="https://youtu.be/wRgIXehhW6o">here</a>
This webinar was part of the GRDC RiskWi$e project and the De-Risking Seeding Project, proudly funded by the Australian Government&rsquo;s Future Drought Fund.
This podcast was supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board with funding from the landscape levies.&nbsp;

Planning through the unknown in 2025 - Agronomy decisions with Jeff Braun

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge discusses water repellency in sandy soils with Professor David Henry from Murdoch University.

They delve into the chemistry behind non-wetting soils, seasonal behaviors, and various solutions. They discuss topics from the 101 Soils Questions book, as well as touching on topics like the impact of crop rotations, the effectiveness of wetting agents, and new projects focusing on developing predictive tools and cost-benefit analyses for different soil management techniques.

00:00 Introduction to Water Repellent Soils

00:43 Meet the Expert: Professor David Henry

01:58 Understanding Soil Water Repellency

03:04 Seasonal Variations and Farmer Experiences

04:39 Innovative Solutions and Techniques

05:52 Current Research and Future Directions

07:22 Field Studies and Case Analyses

09:43 Conclusion and Resources

For more information on this topic, visit the Soils Connect website.

This podcast was supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) as part of the project Enhancing farmer knowledge of soil function to improve management outcomes.

Thanks to Professor David Henry from the Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems at Murdoch University for joining us, and to GRDC for supporting ongoing research into practical solutions for managing soil water repellency.

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge discusses water repellency in sandy soils with Professor David Henry from Murdoch University.
They delve into the chemistry behind non-wetting soils, seasonal behaviors, and various solutions. They discuss topics from the 101 Soils Questions book, as well as touching on topics like the impact of crop rotations, the effectiveness of wetting agents, and new projects focusing on developing predictive tools and cost-benefit analyses for different soil management techniques.
00:00 Introduction to Water Repellent Soils
00:43 Meet the Expert: Professor David Henry
01:58 Understanding Soil Water Repellency
03:04 Seasonal Variations and Farmer Experiences
04:39 Innovative Solutions and Techniques
05:52 Current Research and Future Directions
07:22 Field Studies and Case Analyses
09:43 Conclusion and Resources
For more information on this topic, visit the <a href="https://soilsconnect.com.au/soil-faqs/?brx_edskxe%5B%5D=soil-and-water-repellence">Soils Connect</a> website.
This podcast was supported by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) as part of the project Enhancing farmer knowledge of soil function to improve management outcomes.
Thanks to Professor David Henry from the Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems at Murdoch University for joining us, and to GRDC for supporting ongoing research into practical solutions for managing soil water repellency.

Making Every Input Count - Nutrition Strategies for 2025

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