My role in the department
I work to deliver information and skills to DPIRD's clients that will assist them in farming more profitably through improved soil management practices. My current focus is on subsoil constraints to production which costs grain gowers more than a billion dollars in lost production each year. The Subsoil Constraints project is supported by GRDC and partners with CSIRO, grower groups and commercial companies. My role is to manage this project while also contributing directly to it’s R, D and E.
My background
I have more than 30 years experience in soil management research as a researcher and project leader. This has been divided between 20 years on the south coast of WA and 10 years in irrigated agriculture in central NSW. My fields of research have encompassed the use of amendments (gypsum, lime, wetting agents, clay, organic compounds), tillage (deep shallow) and cropping rotations to modify and improve soils productivity.
Projects
- Subsoil constraints:managing and understanding (DAW00242)
- Combatting non wetting soils
- Managing soil compaction
Key Expertise
Qualifications
- M.Rur.Sc in Soil Management, University of New England
- B.Sc in Agriculture, University of New England