GRDC in Conversation: Matthew Howell

Matthew Howell is an agronomist, grower and regional advocate based in South Australia’s Upper South East. Over the past two decades, he has worked alongside growers through a major shift from mixed farming to large-scale continuous cropping, driven by rainfall, soil development and opportunity. In this conversation, Matt reflects on his journey from Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula to building a life and career in Meningie, sharing what it’s been like to work in a rapidly changing region where former dairy country has been converted to broadacre cropping and growers have had to adapt quickly.

Matt speaks to the value of being actively involved through agronomy, mentoring, trials and advocacy. He explores what real practice change looks like, how tough seasons sharpen learning, and why regional leadership matters, highlighting the balance between profitability and sustainability and the need for stronger support in precision ag, data and training.

This episode explores:

• How Matt’s upbringing in Cummins shaped his connection to agriculture and regional community
• Why he moved to the Upper South East and what kept him there
  
• How the Meningie region shifted from mixed farming and dairy into large-scale cropping
  
• What it actually takes to convert farming systems at scale
  
• Why profitability and sustainability are driving decisions more than market hype
• What tough seasons reveal about water use efficiency, management and system weaknesses
• How local innovation sites and farmer-led trials can accelerate regional learning
• Why Matt believes regional communities thrive when farms are profitable and successful
• What holds back wider adoption of variable rate technology and precision ag
• How the next generation of agronomists will need both technical skill and people skills
• Why speaking up, getting involved and influencing policy matters for regional agriculture

Watch this episode as a video on YouTube https://youtu.be/_rNR6XSV2u8

More information

GRDC in Conversation is a limited series GRDC Podcast. It features in-depth interviews with growers and other experts in the grains industry who share their expertise, knowledge and experiences by exploring their personal stories, history, influences and motivations. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of GRDC, the interviewees’ employer, institution or other associated parties.

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