A YOUNG scientist, who juggles motherhood with farming, and oversees and co-ordinates research projects stretching from southern New South Wales to Central Queensland has been recognised for her contribution to the grains industry.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) crop physiologist Felicity Harris was presented with the coveted Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) 2019 Emerging Leader award at this week’s GRDC Grains Research Update in Wagga Wagga, southern NSW.
Also acknowledged for her long-standing contribution to the industry was NSW DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute director Deb Slinger who received the 2019 Recognising and Rewarding Excellence award.
Felicity Harris: Emerging leader
GRDC northern region panel chair John Minogue described Emerging Leader award winner, Dr Harris, as an influential young scientist with an innovative and original approach to research, with the clear goal of increasing grain yield potential and in, turn, grower profits.
NSW DPI crop physiologist, Felicity Harris, being presented with the GRDC Emerging Leader award by GRDC northern region panel chair, John Minogue, in Wagga Wagga. (Photo: GRDC).
“Felicity is a young researcher, who has already earned a reputation as a forward-thinking, progressive scientist with a passion for leading and educating others,” Mr Minogue said.
“She is the chief researcher for cereal agronomy and physiology projects with field experiments stretching from southern NSW to Central Queensland under the Grains Agronomy and Pathology Partnership, a NSW DPI and GRDC bilateral investment.
“Her current research is focused on understanding the interaction between growth and development in dryland cereals, which will potentially allow growers to use management tactics to adjust the timing of crop development to suit varying and influence yields.”
Mr Minogue said in her key role within this research team, Dr Harris had proved to have an exceptional understanding of crop physiology and agronomy, as well as effective communication skills when working with researchers, agronomists and growers.
“At a national level, Felicity is well known for having identified a genetic source of vigorous growth characteristics in wheat, a finding that is now helping wheat breeders to produce varieties with increased vigour,” he said.
“We are excited about what she brings to the Australian grains industry and are keen to recognise her talents and to support and encourage her passion for grains.”
Dr Harris graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) (Hons1) from Charles Sturt University (CSU), and completed her PhD studying the relationship between development and early vigour in wheat.
She has also lectured undergraduate courses at the CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, and supervised postgraduate students In 2017 she was named Young Agronomist of the Year by the Australian Society of Agronomy.
Deb Slinger: Recognising and Rewarding Excellence award
When there is a problem at the NSW DPI in the Riverina there is one person who can be relied upon to fix it: Deb Slinger.
2019 Recognising and Rewarding Excellence award recipient, NSW DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute director, Deb Slinger, and GRDC northern region panel chair, John Minogue. (Photo: GRDC)
The director of NSW DPI Southern Cropping Systems and Institute Director is well-known for her resourcefulness and innovation when it comes to managing the challenges of a 180-strong team employed in the glasshouses, research trial sites and laboratories within the 900-hectare Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute complex.
Ms Slinger is equally well-regarded by the southern NSW farming sector, where she has spent the past 25 years effectively communicating the results of scientific research to those working in the paddock.
Mr Minogue described Ms Slinger as an outstanding industry leader with a proven track record in delivering useful, relevant information to growers, working with scientists and technical staff to develop and manage research projects and mentoring young scientists.
“Ms Slinger has an exceptional ability to deliver practical information to growers that can help improve their farming systems. She is also widely respected as a problem solver and an innovative, forward-thinking leader when it comes to managing research projects,” he said.
“At the same time, her contribution to the future capacity of our industry can’t be underestimated – a number of researchers started their careers under her mentorship and she continues to be passionate about building agriculture’s research capacity.”
Ms Slinger started her working life as an educator, teaching senior school agriculture and science after graduating from what was then the Wagga Wagga Agricultural College.
From there she joined the Soil Conservation Service as a regional education officer, before being promoted to executive officer of the Murrumbidgee River Management Committee and later the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Board.
In 2001, she joined the Department of Agriculture as its salinity team leader and for the next six years managed the Natural Resources Advisory Services Unit, which provided advice to growers, agribusiness, government and urban clients on soil, water, climate, forestry, salinity and irrigation management.
She then completed a Masters in Applied Science (Agriculture) degree. To date her, career highlights include the annual compilation of the Southern Research Results book, six regional focused Glovebox Guide to Salinity Management and EverTrain, an e-learning program for the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre.
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Wagga Wagga GRDC Grains Research Update Gallery
SOUTHERN New South Wales grain growers, advisers and industry stakeholders heard the latest agronomic advice and recommendations from paddock preparation and sowing through to harvest and storage during the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s Grains Research Update in Wagga Wagga this week.
More than 270 people attended the annual two-day event, which is designed to deliver to industry new knowledge, insights and outcomes from cutting-edge research and development.
AgGrow Agronomy research manager Rachael Whitworth and agronomist Sarah Groat came from Griffith to attend the GRDC Grains Research Update in Wagga Wagga.
Rawlinson and Brown agronomist, Bryce Elwin, Griffith, caught up with IK Caldwell’s James Reilly, Cobram, at the GRDC Update.
Yenda Producers’ Mitchell White, Griffith, with IK Caldwell’s Tom Jeffrey, Shepparton, and AgnVet’s Stephen Rouch, Junee, in Wagga Wagga to hear the latest grains research and development.
Pioneer Seeds’ Jackson Byrnes, Griffith, with grain grower Ed Gebhardt from Kanoona Enterprises, Harden, and DB Ag’s Richard West, Griffith.
Elders agronomist, Mark Breust, Ariah Park with Yellco Ag’s Ross Yelland, Manildra, and Elders’ Bernie Toohey, West Wyalong.
Pioneer Seeds’ Joel Murphy, Wagga Wagga, with Elders Rural’s Beth Shakeshaft, Griffith, and Greenacres’ Harry Rayner, Walla Walla, at the GRDC Updates.
Finley grower Geoff McLeod used the updates as an opportunity to catch up with FAR Consulting’s Nick Poole.
GRDC’s senior manager extension and communications Luke Gaynor, Wagga Wagga with grain grower Bob McCormack, Junee, and GRDC general manager grower business group, Lucy Broad, at the Wagga Wagga Updates.
Source: GRDC
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