Devonport farm manager Robin Tait has won a prestigious Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarship to investigate how regenerative agricultural principles can be integrated into cropping systems.
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Ms Tait aims to study how plant health can increase by reducing reliance on synthetic inputs for crop protection and tillage.
Her day job is managing 400 hectares for Botanical Resources Australia’s mixed cropping operation and she is thrilled she can use the scholarship to improve those crops.
Ms Tait provides agronomic advice for Botanical Resources and coordinates harvesting and planting of pyrethrum, wheat, carrot, potato, poppy and pulse crops.
“We need a significant amount of tillage for small seed crops,” Ms Tait said.
“The system used and recommended by processing and seed companies involves substantial soil cultivation and extended periods of time with no plant cover. This makes it very difficult to incorporate the philosophies of regeneration farming to build a thriving ecosystem allowing plants to form natural resistance.”
The 24 Nuffield scholars receive a $30,000 bursary to fund a 16-week study in their chosen field.
Ms Tait is planning to visit California, North and South Dakota and Pennsylvania in the United States, as well as Germany and The Netherlands to see innovative cropping practices.
“They get paid to do cover cropping in Europe. I’m interested to see how they’re managing those crops,” Ms Tait said.
Ms Tait’s study area reflects the innovation that is driving the state’s agricultural production, Tasmanian Nuffield Committee chairman Michael Chilvers said.
“Robin, together with the 23 Scholars for 2018, will investigate topics that have potential to transform elements of their respective industries and this announcement most certainly showcases the breadth and depth of knowledge, enthusiasm and appetite to capitalise upon opportunity within Tasmania’s agricultural sector,” Mr Chilvers said.
Blundstone, the Robert Gatenby Memorial Trust and Tasmanian Alkaloids are collaborating to support Ms Tait’s Nuffield scholarship.
“These scholarships, which are funded by a range of investors also committed to the future of the industry, will provide scholars with resources to mix with like-minded farmers across the world and to bring home technology and new-thinking that will benefit agricultural prosperity,” Mr Chilvers said.
After returning from her global study tour next year, Ms Tait will share her insights and experiences with Tasmanian producers, stakeholders and community groups.
In addition to her Nuffield scholarship and farm management work with Botanical Resources Australia, Ms Tait is researching and preparing to establish a Tasmanian Mountain Pepper orchard in the state to supply peppers to Australian and overseas markets.