New Director for Wagga Ag a familiar face in the region

The newly appointed Director of NSW Department of Primary Industries Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute has a long association with the region during the past 25 years and brings a great depth of experience to the job, particularly in the area of natural resource management.

Deb Slinger said her new role gave her a great opportunity to continue to raise the profile of rural southern NSW and the research outcomes being delivered to the farming community.

“One of the big challenges is to maintain the high level of quality research being undertaken at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute and ensure that there continues to be benefits for the farming community,” Ms Slinger said. 

“I will be working with key partners such as the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Meat and Livestock Australia, and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, to maximise benefits for local farmers.

“I will also continue to maintain our partnerships with bodies such as the E H Graham Centre and Charles Sturt University to broaden access to technologies and skills that will complement what the Institute delivers to the region's farming community.

”Ms Slinger graduated from Wagga Wagga Agricultural College in 1981 and in 1982 she completed a Graduate Diploma in Education. 

After some time teaching senior agriculture and science, Ms Slinger joined the Soil Conservation Service as regional education officer before being promoted to Executive Officer of the Murrumbidgee River Management Committee and then the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Board.   

In 2001, she joined the Department of Agriculture as Salinity Team Leader and for the past six years has managed the Natural Resources Advisory Services Unit which provides advisory services to farmers, agribusiness, government and urban clients on soil, water, salinity and irrigation management. During 2008/09 Ms Slinger completed a Masters in Applied Science (Agriculture) studying lucerne in the farming system throughout NSW.  

Ms Slinger's career highlights include the 'Glovebox Guide to Salinity Management', which is an icon publication for salinity management, and the initiation of EverTrain an e-learning project for the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre. 

The Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute employs approximately 180 people and is dedicated to improving the profitability and sustainability of agriculture in NSW through industry-driven research, extension and regulatory services. 

The Institute's work focuses on cropping and pasture systems in southern NSW and expanding the State's viticulture industry.

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