In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, hosts Sean Mason and Peter Treloar discuss the performance and practical applications of Variable Rate Technology (VRT) in a challenging agricultural season.

They cover topics such as zoning, testing, troubleshooting, and what NDVI maps tell us, even during drought years. This episode provides valuable insights and real-world takeaways for farmers looking to optimise their yield and input costs through precision agriculture.

00:00 Introduction to the VRT project

00:42 Easy VRT Workshop Insights

01:05 2024 Season Recap and VRT Performance

02:41 Drought Year Data and Zoning

06:41 Practical Applications of NDVI Maps

07:50 Managing Constraints with VRT

10:37 Fertiliser Safety and Soil Testing

12:27 Conclusion and Future Outlook

This episode is supported by the SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, hosts Sean Mason and Peter Treloar discuss the performance and practical applications of Variable Rate Technology (VRT) in a challenging agricultural season.
They cover topics such as zoning, testing, troubleshooting, and what NDVI maps tell us, even during drought years. This episode provides valuable insights and real-world takeaways for farmers looking to optimise their yield and input costs through precision agriculture.
00:00 Introduction to the VRT project
00:42 Easy VRT Workshop Insights
01:05 2024 Season Recap and VRT Performance
02:41 Drought Year Data and Zoning
06:41 Practical Applications of NDVI Maps
07:50 Managing Constraints with VRT
10:37 Fertiliser Safety and Soil Testing
12:27 Conclusion and Future Outlook
This episode is supported by the SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government&rsquo;s Future Drought Fund.

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

Precision Under Pressure - VRT Results In a Drought Year

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.

Precision Under Pressure - VRT Results In a Drought Year

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