3. The No-Till Revolution: How WA Farmers Transformed Australian Agriculture

From dust storms and soil erosion in Esperance to the birth of no-till farming in Western Australia, this episode of the 4Farmers Podcast captures a turning point in Australian agriculture. Host Bill Crabtree (“No-Till Bill”) is joined by Rick Madden, one of WA’s early champions of direct drilling and minimum tillage, and Owen Grieve, long-time ABC Rural journalist. Together, they share the stories, challenges, and breakthroughs that reshaped farming across the Wheatbelt. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: • Life and farming in the WA Wheatbelt during the 1970s–1990s • How no-till farming and direct drilling transformed agriculture in Australia • The early debates over chemicals, herbicides, glyphosate, and paraquat • Farmer-led innovation in Esperance, Katanning, and Kondinin • Lessons in resilience, sustainability, and community from decades on the land Whether you’re a farmer, agricultural professional, or simply curious about how modern farming practices evolved, this episode offers a rare and personal look at the no-till revolution in Western Australia.