Bill “No-Till Bill” Crabtree joins Rick Madden and Owen Grieve to share the untold story of how no-till farming transformed Western Australia’s Wheatbelt. From soil erosion and chemical debates to farmer-led innovation, this episode dives into the breakthroughs and challenges that shaped modern Australian agriculture.

From soil erosion and dust storms in Esperance to the rise of no-till farming across Western Australia, this episode of the 4Farmers Podcast explores one of the biggest revolutions in Australian agriculture. Host Bill Crabtree (“No-Till Bill”) sits down with Rick Madden, a pioneer of direct drilling, and Owen Grieve, veteran ABC Rural journalist, to reflect on the shift from ploughing to herbicide-based farming. Together they unpack the controversy around glyphosate, paraquat, and spray seed, and share the farmer-led innovations that reshaped the WA Wheatbelt. A must-listen for anyone interested in agriculture, sustainability, and the history of farming in WA.

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.

Bill “No-Till Bill” Crabtree and Cathy McKenna share decades of farming stories, from battling droughts and dust storms to pioneering no-till methods that transformed Australian agriculture.