Every day, Australian growers make countless decisions. Some are major investments, others are routine management choices, but every decision carries an element of risk.
How do growers decide when to sow? Whether to apply more nitrogen? Or if another fungicide spray is worth it? More importantly, what influences those decisions?
These are the questions explored in Decision Fit, a new podcast from Birchip Cropping Group, produced as part of the GRDC RiskWi$e project.
Hosted by BCG Senior Research Manager Dr Yolanda Plowman, the series takes listeners beyond the agronomy to explore the psychology of decision-making in agriculture. Through conversations with growers, researchers and industry experts, the podcast examines how experience, confidence, family dynamics, trusted advisers and behavioural science all shape the choices made on farm.
“Farm decisions are often described as purely economic or technical,” said Dr Plowman. “But they’re deeply human. Two people can look at exactly the same information and make different decisions, and both can make sense once you understand the context behind them.”
Throughout the series, listeners will discover the concept of decision fitness, the idea that better decision-making is a skill that can be developed through awareness, reflection and practice, much like physical fitness.
Listen to the trailer here
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RiskWi$e is a 5-year, $30 million national initiative (2023–2028) aimed at helping Australian grain growers navigate increasing levels of risk from weather variability and price volatility. By improving understanding of the risk-reward relationships in on-farm management decisions, RiskWi$e supports growers in making informed, confident choices that maximise rewards and minimise potential losses. RiskWi$e is conducted in partnership with grower groups, 6 action research group leads, research/extension partners, CSIRO and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). Find out more https://www.bcg.org.au/research-results/riskwise/
