The 4Farmers Podcast

In this 17th episode, Bill we sat down with David Seagreen, a chemist, innovator, and one of the minds behind some of the most interesting developments in modern agriculture. From growing up in a farming community in South Africa to building a fertilizer company in Western Australia, David shares the journey that shaped his thinking around soil, water, and plant nutrition. We dive into: The real problem with water use in farming Why traditional approaches don’t always work The science behind products like Aquifer and CalBud How nanotechnology and surface area can impact plant growth And how small changes in application can lead to major differences in yield This isn’t theory, it’s decades of hands-on experimentation, problem-solving, and pushing boundaries in agriculture. If you’re interested in improving water efficiency, understanding soil behavior, or just thinking differently about farming inputs, this episode is worth your time.

In this 15th episode, we sit down with Kevin Young, one of Western Australia’s most respected agricultural minds, to unpack decades of innovation, failure, and breakthrough in crop science. From his early days in barley agronomy to pioneering high-yield systems, Kevin shares how farming evolved from 2-ton crops to 6–8 ton potential, and what made that shift possible. We dive deep into: The rise of no-till farming The science behind yield improvements Lessons from decades in plant breeding The reality of failure in agriculture And the development of Mohawk, a winter wheat variety changing how farmers think about early sowing This episode is both technical and deeply human, a story of persistence, curiosity, and long-term impact on Australian agriculture. Whether you’re a farmer, agronomist, or just curious about how food systems evolve, this is one conversation worth listening to.

In this 13th episode of the 4Farmers Podcast, we sit down with Mark Seymour, research agronomist based in Esperance, to unpack over 40 years of change in Western Australian agriculture. From the early days of lupins and alternative legumes to the rise of canola dominance, Mark shares an honest, experienced perspective on how rotations evolved, why pulses declined in some regions, and whether we may have leaned too heavily on certain systems. We dive into: • The boom years of lupins in WA• Why canola transformed rotations• What really limits lentils and faba beans• Soil pH, herbicide sensitivity, and hidden risks• Waterlogging, drainage, and system thinking• Whether legumes still have a serious future in WA This is not a surface-level chat. It is a deep look at decisions, trade-offs, and long-term system impacts from someone who has been there since the late 1980s. If you care about sustainable rotations, crop profitability, and the future of WA farming, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, Bill sits down with Professor Kevin Folta, molecular biologist at the University of Florida and host of the Talking Biotech podcast, to unpack the science, controversy, and real-world impact of genetic engineering in modern agriculture. From the early days of producing insulin in bacteria to the development of Bt crops and genetically engineered oilseeds, Professor Folta shares how biotechnology was built to solve practical farming problems and why resistance to these tools has grown despite nearly three decades of safe global use. The conversation dives into the communication breakdown between scientists and the public, exploring why data alone often fails to build trust. Kevin reflects on hard lessons learned engaging with concerned parents, the environmental movement, and policymakers, and explains why safety, transparency, and honesty matter more than technical jargon. The episode concludes with a powerful call to action for farmers to step into the public conversation. As trusted voices, their role in sharing real experiences can drive meaningful change, one conversation at a time. As Professor Folta puts it, the science takes care of itself. The challenge now is ensuring farmers have access to every tool available to feed the world safely, responsibly, and sustainably.

Agronomist Wayne Smith has been behind some of the biggest shifts in Australian broadacre farming. In this episode, he joins Bill to unpack how no-till, better rotations, improved nutrition and smarter agronomy lifted WA cropping from two-tonne wheat to the high-yield systems farmers run today. Wayne shares the breakthroughs that changed everything from zinc, copper and molybdenum diagnostics to the early disc-seeder revolution, stubble retention, deep roots and the move toward earlier sowing. He also reflects on the cultural resistance of the 80s and 90s, the “yeah-but” years, and the mindset shifts that helped WA growers become global leaders in no-till cropping. A clear, honest and practical conversation for growers, agronomists and anyone wanting to understand why Australia’s grain yields have risen so dramatically.

Dr Bill Bowden has spent more than five decades shaping the way Western Australia understands soil, fertiliser strategy and plant nutrition. In this episode, he joins host Bill Crabtree for a candid conversation about the science, history and hard-won lessons behind modern cropping systems. From the early days of superphosphate to the complexities of trace elements, root development, pH buffering and nutrient availability, Bill breaks down how WA’s most infertile soils became productive and what farmers must keep in mind as systems evolve. Together they unpack:• The rise of phosphorus use and the foundations of soil testing in WA• Copper, zinc, manganese and why positional availability still matters• Root biology and the shift from input-focused thinking to system understanding• No-till, deep ripping and the long-running debate around disturbance• Rock phosphate, calcination and the realities of using alternative P sources• The biological engine driving soils from microbes to termites A must-listen for growers, agronomists, researchers and anyone working to improve soil fertility and system resilience across Australian agriculture.

Former ABC journalist Owen Grieve joins Bill “No-Till Bill” Crabtree to unpack one of the most controversial topics in Australian agriculture, the live sheep export ban. They dive into how government policy, media narratives, and shifting public opinion are reshaping rural communities, farming livelihoods, and the future of Australian agriculture. A candid, thought-provoking episode for anyone who cares about the land, the farmers, and the truth behind the headlines.

From soil erosion and dust storms in Esperance to the rise of no-till farming across Western Australia, this episode of the 4Farmers Podcast explores one of the biggest revolutions in Australian agriculture. Host Bill Crabtree (“No-Till Bill”) sits down with Rick Madden, a pioneer of direct drilling, and Owen Grieve, veteran ABC Rural journalist, to reflect on the shift from ploughing to herbicide-based farming. Together they unpack the controversy around glyphosate, paraquat, and spray seed, and share the farmer-led innovations that reshaped the WA Wheatbelt. A must-listen for anyone interested in agriculture, sustainability, and the history of farming in WA.

Bill “No-Till Bill” Crabtree and Cathy McKenna share decades of farming stories, from battling droughts and dust storms to pioneering no-till methods that transformed Australian agriculture.