INTERNATIONAL opportunities await the 16 Nuffield farming scholarship winners. JOHN PARRY reports
A select group of Australian farmers will head overseas during the next 12 months to explore new opportunities for themselves and their peers.
They are the 16 winners of Nuffield Farming Scholarships for this year, each valued at $25,000.
The scholarships are awarded for applicants' vision, enthusiasm and determination to pursue their farming goals. Each scholarship covers four months' travel.
Australian Nuffield Farming Scholars Association chairman David Brownhill said the scholarships gave young farmers the opportunity to travel and explore agricultural issues.
"We are focused on developing the practical, managerial and commercial capacities of each scholar to enable them to be better farmers, and to make a significant contribution to the future of Australian agriculture," Mr Brownhill said.
Nuffield Australia CEO Mr Jim Geltch said many scholars had gone on to become active leaders in agriculture and the community.
"For many, the scholarship experience has changed their lives by opening their eyes to the wider world, and giving them the confidence to pursue their goals," Mr Geltch said.
The 16 scholars will leave in either February or June next year for a compulsory global-focus program.
This will involve travel to China, North America, South America and Europe studying marketing, trade and environmental issues, and experiencing the social and cultural aspects of each region.
They will meet scholars from other countries to exchange ideas and experiences.
Following the initial six-week program, the scholars will then go their own way to pursue specific study fields.
Key sponsors this year are the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australian Wool Innovation, Meat and Livestock Australia, Landmark, Rabobank, the Grain Growers Association, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation, the Kondinin Group, the estates of the late RC & EC Webb Trust, the Sidney Myer Fund, Rural Finance, Impact Fertilisers and Macquarie Capital Products.
The Nuffield program was established in 1943, and has awarded more than 200 scholarships.
The 2009 Nuffield scholars include four from Victoria, five from NSW, four from Western Australia, two from Tasmania and one from South Australia.
They are:
David Drage from Warracknabeal, Victoria. He will study opportunities and challenges emissions trading presents to broadacre farmers. A grain grower, David manages a 1300ha family property, and share-farms another 400ha, with the help of his father and brother.
Ben Morris, from Toongabbie, Victoria, will study methods for improving soils to produce higher-yielding crops. Also a grain grower, Ben manages 540ha in central Gippsland and grows canola, winter cereals and legumes using direct drilling and controlled traffic.
Paul Mumford, from Won Wron, Victoria, will study the costs and benefits of different dairy farming systems. With his wife, Lisa, Paul runs a split-calving herd on 323ha near Yarram, milking up to 450 cows.
Evan Ryan, from Yarrawonga, Victoria, will study the role of micro-nutrients in improving yields from broadacre cereal and oilseed production. A grain grower, Paul co-manages a 1000ha family farm producing cereals, oilseeds, lucerne for seed and oats for hay using not-till continuous cropping.
Stuart Barden, from Gilgandra NSW, will study grain growing in marginal and low-rainfall areas, to produce more consistent yields and improve water efficiency. Together with his wife, Annie, Stuart runs four properties in central-west NSW, growing 4800ha of winter crops.
Julie Brien, from Greenethorpe NSW, will study how sheep genetics and management strategies can increase lamb production from an existing ewe base. A prime-lamb producer, Julie is livestock manager on her family's 860ha property southwest of Cowra.
James Hassall, also from Gilgandra, will study new precision agriculture techniques to better manage crop variability, and improve yields and efficient use of water and nutrients. A grain grower, James manages his family's 2200ha farm cropping winter cereals, oilseeds and legumes using no-till and precision agriculture techniques.
Jennifer Hawkins, from Finley NSW, will investigate emissions trading and methods of calculating farm greenhouse-gas emissions. With her husband, John, Julie runs a mixed irrigation farm in the Riverina growing rice, canola, winter cereals, beef cattle and prime lambs.
Bruce Watson, from Parkes NSW, will study factors influencing grain prices and risk management in price volatility. A director of his family's 3500ha farm business, Bruce grows winter cereals, oilseeds and pulses using no-till and controlled traffic.
Robert Bradley from Longford in Tasmania will study how to better manage crop, pasture and livestock rotations to improve farm profitability and sustainability. In partnership with his wife, Jo, and Jo's brothers, Robert runs four properties, which includes 1000ha under centre-pivot irrigation, and 2000ha of dryland crops and pastures.
Thomas Frankcomb, from Ranelagh in Tasmania, will study minimising chemical use in hop production and potential markets for boutique brewers. In partnership with his wife, Ruth, Thomas produces apples and cherries on 50ha in the Huon Valley, and operates contract storage and packing facilities.
Adam Butterworth, of Port Lincoln in South Australia, will study production of red seaweed as feed for commercial aquaculture, plus other markets for seaweed, including human consumption and biotechnology. The oyster hatchery Adam manages is part of the Australian Southern Seafood group, and produces oyster spat for the South Australian market.
David Cussons, from Kojonup in Western Australia, will study how agricultural industries can develop communication strategies to improve public perceptions of farming, with particular reference to disease outbreaks and mulesing. A wool and cereal grower, David manages a 1000ha mixed-wool and cropping property with his wife, Kelly, and his parents.
Leon Ryan, from York in Western Australia, will study factors driving demand for grains, the cost of production and the potential for product substitutions. As manager of his family's 3000ha property, Leon produces winter cereals, canola and pulses, and runs a 1000-ewe breeding flock.
Brendon Tierney, from Walebing in Western Australia, will study farm business structures and efficient use of capital. Together with his father and uncle, Brendon runs an 1800ha wool and grain enterprise near Moora, northeast of Perth.
Cameron Tubby, from Morawa in Western Australia, will study innovative, sustainable and profitable alternative farming systems suited to Mediterranean and semi-arid climatic zones. With his wife, Teresa, Cameron works in a 7400ha family partnership cropping up to 4000ha with cereals and legumes, and running 5000 Damara ewes.
