13. From Lupins to Canola: The Shift That Changed WA Farming

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.