21. From No-Till Battles to Biosecurity: Rob Delane’s Agricultural Journey

Rob Delane has spent much of his career at the heart of Western Australian agriculture, from early research in the Ord River and Geraldton to senior leadership in the Department of Agriculture and major roles in Australian biosecurity. In this episode, Bill Crabtree and Rob revisit the evolution of WA farming, including the early days of lupin and grain research, deep ripping, no-till adoption, collaboration between farmers, researchers and agribusiness, and the sometimes heated debates that came with agricultural change. Rob also reflects on leading the Department of Agriculture through major restructuring, the development of Australia's biosecurity systems, and why he believes the future of agricultural R&D may require greater direct leadership from growers themselves. A fascinating conversation about the people, disagreements, decisions and innovations that helped shape modern Western Australian agriculture.