From battling wind erosion to leading the no-till revolution in Western Australia, Bill “No-Till Bill” Crabtree sits down with Rick Madden and Owen Grieve to reflect on the innovations, challenges, and breakthroughs that reshaped farming across the WA Wheatbelt.

Together, they share raw, funny, and insightful stories about the shift from conventional tillage to direct drilling, the machinery and chemical innovations that made it possible, and the farmer-led movement that spread from WA to the world.

In this episode: • Life in the WA Wheatbelt and the challenges of farming in the 1980s • How no-till farming transformed Australian agriculture • The science and debate around chemicals, soil health, and sustainability • Stories of resilience, community, and lessons learned on the land

Whether you’re a farmer, ag professional, or simply curious about the people behind modern agriculture, this episode offers a rare look into the highs, lows, and lasting impact of no-till farming in Australia.

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.

In this episode, Cathy McKenna interviews Bill Crabtree - better known as No-Till Bill about his remarkable journey from growing up on a family farm in WA’s Wheatbelt to becoming a global leader in no-till agriculture. Bill shares personal stories of life as one of ten children, early lessons on tractors and soil, and the challenges of studying and working in agriculture at a time of massive change.

Together, Bill and Cathy explore the science of soil health, the revolution of no-tillage farming, the role of trace elements, and the resilience required to adapt through droughts, dust storms, and market crashes. They also reflect on global farming practices from Canada to Brazil, and how Australian agriculture continues to innovate and inspire.

Whether you’re a grower, agronomist, or simply curious about the people behind farming’s biggest shifts, this candid conversation is part history lesson, part masterclass and proof that challenging the status quo can change the future of agriculture.

In today’s episode, from droughts and dust storms to pioneering no-till farming, Bill Crabtree and Cathy McKenna share raw, funny, and inspiring stories from decades in Australian agriculture. Hear their journey from university mates to industry leaders, tackling the science, challenges, and triumphs of life on the land. Perfect for farmers, ag-industry professionals, and anyone interested in the individuals shaping modern farming.