JOHN Stevenson is looking forward to the next two years, after being among 24 new Nuffield Australia scholars named at the organisation’s annual conference in Albury on Thursday.
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From Lockhart, Mr Stevenson, 43, will use his scholarship to investigate ways to close the gap between potential grain yield and soil Plant Available Water Capacity, with a focus on boosting productivity from sustainable dryland cropping systems.
"What we're aiming to do is bring best practice back to farmers,” Mr Stevenson said on Friday.
“The Grains Research and Development Corporation (scholarship supporter) are investing in me and I'm expected to give them a return on their investment, through knowledge sharing and increased productivity.”
Mr Stevenson has managed an 8000-hectare dryland cropping enterprise for Warakirri Group for the past 19 years.
"It's going to give me the opportunity to meet world leading researchers in this field,” he said.
“On top of that, though, the scholarship gives you the chance to network with 23 like-minded people for six weeks overseas on the global focus program.”
Nuffield NSW chairman David Gooden said the two-day annual conference was the best attended.
Mr Gooden, who was a Nuffield scholarship winner in 2010 and also farms at Lockhart, said visitors to the Border had been impressed with the rural outlook as well as the facilities.
“It’s been a fantastic conference and everyone has enjoyed Albury and the facilities," Mr Gooden said.
"It’s the biggest ever conference and people attending the conference have been inspired by reports from the returning scholarship winners.
“The new scholars are really keen to get away and do their little bit, because they can see what the result of two years of travel can bring.”
"It really is the connection of the industry and the community ,so it is outward looking."
Scholars will undertake agricultural and fisheries research across the globe using a $30,000 bursary for a 16-week program of group and individual travel during 2016-17.
The two-day conference heard from industry experts and retuning scholars during several sessions on Thursday and Friday.
Former deputy Prime Minister and member for Farrer, Tim Fischer delivered the key address at Thursday night’s annual dinner.
