Looking Over the Fence
Episode Title: Managing Soil Variability with VRT
Hosts: Tanja Morgan & Nick Paltridge
Supported by: The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund Extension and Adoption Project

In this episode, Tanja and Nick explore how farmers in the Mid North High Rainfall Zone are using variable rate technology (VRT) to address pH and nutrient variability, improve input efficiency, and unlock yield potential. With real examples from local paddocks, they discuss using NDVI to guide lime applications, the impact of acidity on lentil production, and how service providers are helping bridge the knowledge gap. The focus is on making precision ag tools accessible—showing that even older machinery and simple approaches can make VRT a valuable part of a farmer’s toolkit.

Full case study available at Soils Connect 

Disclaimer: The practices discussed are based on regional trials and may not suit all farms. Please seek independent advice before applying these approaches on your property.

This project is supported by Mallee Sustainable Farming, through funding from the Australian
Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Looking Over the Fence Episode Title: Managing Soil Variability with VRT Hosts: Tanja Morgan &amp; Nick Paltridge Supported by: The Australian Government&rsquo;s Future Drought Fund Extension and Adoption Project
In this episode, Tanja and Nick explore how farmers in the Mid North High Rainfall Zone are using variable rate technology (VRT) to address pH and nutrient variability, improve input efficiency, and unlock yield potential. With real examples from local paddocks, they discuss using NDVI to guide lime applications, the impact of acidity on lentil production, and how service providers are helping bridge the knowledge gap. The focus is on making precision ag tools accessible&mdash;showing that even older machinery and simple approaches can make VRT a valuable part of a farmer&rsquo;s toolkit.
Full case study available at <a href="https://soilsconnect.com.au/resource/optimising-variable-rate-technology-for-soil-management/">Soils Connect&nbsp;</a>
Disclaimer: The practices discussed are based on regional trials and may not suit all farms. Please seek independent advice before applying these approaches on your property.
This project is supported by Mallee Sustainable Farming, through funding from the Australian Government&rsquo;s Future Drought Fund.

Welcome to the Looking Over the Fence podcast series — a dedicated playlist exploring how farmers across South Australia are building more resilient farming systems through better soil management.

Hosted by Nick Paltridge and Tanja Morgan, each episode dives into a different South Australian region to uncover practical, on-the-ground examples of how soil-based practices are driving change.

Through conversations around local farmer examples, this series highlights real-world case studies of those who have successfully adopted cost-effective, yield-responsive soil and fertiliser strategies. These practices are not only improving productivity but also helping future-proof farms against the impacts of drought.

This podcast is part of Mallee Sustainable Farming’s project ‘Building farming systems resilience and future-proofing the impacts of drought through accelerating the adoption of proven soil and fertiliser management practices by farmers across southern Australia’, funded through the Future Drought Fund (FDF) Extension and Adoption of Drought Resilience Farming Practices Program.

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

Welcome to the Looking Over the Fence podcast series &mdash; a dedicated playlist exploring how farmers across South Australia are building more resilient farming systems through better soil management.
Hosted by Nick Paltridge and Tanja Morgan, each episode dives into a different South Australian region to uncover practical, on-the-ground examples of how soil-based practices are driving change.
Through conversations around local farmer examples, this series highlights real-world case studies of those who have successfully adopted cost-effective, yield-responsive soil and fertiliser strategies. These practices are not only improving productivity but also helping future-proof farms against the impacts of drought.
This podcast is part of Mallee Sustainable Farming&rsquo;s project &lsquo;Building farming systems resilience and future-proofing the impacts of drought through accelerating the adoption of proven soil and fertiliser management practices by farmers across southern Australia&rsquo;, funded through the Future Drought Fund (FDF) Extension and Adoption of Drought Resilience Farming Practices Program.
This project received funding from the Australian Government&rsquo;s Future Drought Fund.

Looking over the fence podcast series 

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

Managing Soil Variability  with VRT

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🎙️, host Sarah Day catches up with growers David Daniel, Adrian Bormann and Nathan Paech 🚜 to reflect on the season 🌱 and unpack their experiences with variable rate technology (VRT).

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk Podcast 🎙️, host Sarah Day catches up with growers David Daniel, Adrian Bormann and Nathan Paech 🚜 to reflect on the season 🌱 and unpack their experiences with variable rate technology (VRT).
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.
See&nbsp;<a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a>&nbsp;for privacy information.

Test Strips, Tough Seasons: What VRT Is Really Delivering

 🎧 Join host Chris McDonough live from the Grain Automate Expo in Loxton 🌾 as he takes you out into the paddock for a deep dive into autonomous machinery 🚜 — featuring SwarmFarm and insights from a local grower 👨‍🌾

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://msfp.org.au/podcast/ 

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

&nbsp;🎧 Join host Chris McDonough live from the Grain Automate Expo in Loxton 🌾 as he takes you out into the paddock for a deep dive into autonomous machinery 🚜 &mdash; featuring SwarmFarm and insights from a local grower 👨&zwj;🌾
In this episode, Chris chats with:
<ul>
<li>Bailey Kilpatrick from SwarmFarm Robotics, who shares insights into how on-farm robotics can transform time, data and spraying management.</li>
<li>Harry Brown, a Lameroo grower, who reflects on how autonomy could fit into their farming system</li>
</ul>
🙌 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 <a href="https://msfp.org.au/podcast/">https://msfp.org.au/podcast/</a>&nbsp;
For more information on SwarmFarm Robotics head to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.swarmfarm.com/">https://www.swarmfarm.com/</a>

Part 2 Curiosity to Commitment - Farmers Navigating Ag Tech Adoption

Join host Chris McDonough straight from the Grain Automate Expo in Loxton as he catches up with 3 growers and a machinery reps about how farmers are tackling the big leap into ag tech.

🎧 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.

Join host Chris McDonough straight from the Grain Automate Expo in Loxton as he catches up with 3 growers and a machinery reps about how farmers are tackling the big leap into ag tech.
🎧 Stick with us&mdash;there&rsquo;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:
<ul data-start="653" data-end="989">
<li data-start="653" data-end="767">Mick Caughey, WA grower managing 5,000ha with VRT &amp; trial strips</li>
<li data-start="653" data-end="767">
Bryson Rudiger, Mallee farmer about his gradual shift into adopting new technologies.
</li>
<li data-start="768" data-end="883">
David Daniel, a Pinnaroo grower who shares his thoughts on the learning curve of tech&nbsp;
</li>
<li data-start="884" data-end="989">
Damien Fielke, machinery expert and rep, providing insights into the gear that&rsquo;s getting attention.
</li>
</ul>
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.

Managing Soil Variability with VRT

MSF Farm Talk Podcast

In 2 playlist(s)

MSF Farm Talk

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips