AUSTRALASIA’S largest agronomy conference, the Australian Agronomy Conference, has been held in Ballarat this week.
Over 300 agronomists and researchers descended on the Goldfields city to hear more about various cutting edge research from within the industry.
There was keen interest in discussions on frost management and in improving climate forecasts among other topics.
Chris Korte, Agronomy Australia president, said the conference was an important forum for promoting and supporting critical research and connecting agronomic communities across Australia.
“The theme for the 2017 conference was ‘doing more from less’ and this will frame the presentations and discussions,” Dr Korte said.
During the conference well known cropping industry researcher Tim Reeves was presented with the Australian Society of Agronomy’s most prestigious award, the C.M Donald Medal for his services to agronomy.
The medal is awarded to an eminent Australian agriculturalist in recognition of a long and distinguished career with contributions in all areas of agronomy and commemorates Colin Malcolm Donald (1910 - 1985), an agronomist who profoundly influenced pasture development in Australia.
Prof Reeves is a graduate of the University of Nottingham (UK) and the University of Melbourne and has worked for over 45 years in agricultural research, development and extension.
He was a pioneer of no-till / conservation research in Australia while based at Rutherglen Research Institute, Victoria.