Cattle, cotton, vegetable and alternative energy spheres to be explored by Queensland's bright young minds

Nearly 30 per cent of the 2019 group is from Queensland, reflecting the depth of talent in the state’s agricultural industries.

They are Emerald’s Renee Anderson, Rebecca Comiskey from Alpha, Moura cattleman, Alistair Corr, Tamara Uebergang from Miles, and Killarney’s Kerri-Ann Lamb.

Nuffield’s Queensland chairwoman, Jodie Redcliffe, said the strong representation from the state in this year’s cohort of 17 scholars was exciting and reflected the strength, resilience and vibrancy of the state’s agriculture sector.

“With the generous support of their investors, these scholars are about to start the journey of a lifetime.”

Each will receive a $30,000 bursary to conduct their trailblazing research.

Rebecca Comiskey from Alpha, supported by The Yulgilbar Foundation, will investigate modern technologies that can be incorporated into beef production systems to increase the rate of genetic gain.

Emerald’s Renée Anderson, supported by Cotton Australia and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, will investigate better management practices that improve the social, environmental and economic sustainability of agriculture.

Another central Queenslander, Alistair Corr from Moura, supported collectively by Australian Agricultural Company, Consolidated Pastoral Company, Elders, North Australian Pastoral Company and S. Kidman & Co, will investigate the effect that a range of wellbeing factors before, during and after transport can have on the production value of cattle.

Further south, Killarney’s Kerri-Ann Lamb, supported by Hort Innovation, will investigate emerging trends, risks and opportunities in the fresh cut potato, sweet potato, onion and pumpkin market, to determine what the industry should be doing to prepare itself.

Tamara Uebergang from Miles, supported by the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Foundation, will investigate alternative fuel sources and energy solutions for Australia’s agricultural sector.

The Northern Territory’s Frank Miller, from Rapid Creek, has also been awarded a prestigious 2019 Nuffield Farming Scholarship.

With support from ANZ and the Northern Territory government, Mr Miller will undertake research into ways the northern Australian timber industry can realise its optimal potential and drive the region’s economy forward.

Having worked extensively in Australia’s forest and timber industries, Mr Miller is CEO of African Mahogany Australia, where he oversees the largest plantation of its kind in the world, in addition to running a substantial fodder cropping operation in the Northern Territory.

Mr Miller’s study program will focus specifically on African mahogany plantations and examine how diversification can benefit investment, as well as identify emerging market opportunities for the product, both in Australia and abroad.

“The African mahogany industry is showing great promise here in the Northern Territory,” Mr Miller said.

“My research aims to increase knowledge for the industry by exploring ways to enhance value through smart land-use management, especially during the plantation’s growth phase.

“On my travels, I plan to visit a range of plantations in the Asia-Pacific region as well as Brazil, which is rapidly becoming a hub for African Mahogany plantations, and where integrating land uses, such as various food crops and grazing beef cattle within plantations, are being developed.

“On return from my Nuffield study tour, I look forward to sharing my learnings and recommendations to help improve the investment decision-making process regarding African mahogany plantation development.”

Chair of Nuffield’s Northern Territory committee, and 2015 Scholar, Han Shiong Siah, said the scholarship was reflective of the innovative culture developing in the Northern Territory’s agriculture sector.

“Agriculture in the Northern Territory is different to other parts of Australia. Our climate and geography present us with unique opportunities and challenges, and it’s exciting to see young trailblazers like Frank embracing these head on through a Nuffield Scholarship,” Mr Shiong Siah said.

“With the generous support of ANZ and the Northern Territory government, Frank is about to start the journey of a lifetime as he travels the world researching global timber industries.”