New Research Agronomist to support Condobolin’s agricultural community

Rick Graham has been appointed as the new Research Agronomist to work with local farmers at the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (NSW DPI) Condobolin Agricultural Research Advisory station (ARAS). 

Director of NSW DPI Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute Deb Slinger said Mr Graham’s appointment will ensure the Department is providing the best possible services to local farmers. 

“Rick Graham will make a great contribution to Condobolin’s agricultural community, he brings a wealth of practical and research experience, he is highly qualified and is committed to advancing broad acre crops in the Central West,” Ms Slinger said. 

“Mr Graham has extensive experience, he has worked for NSW DPI for 15 years including as District Agronomist in Albury, and also oversaw the Managed Environment Facility at Yanco which involved the management of nationally coordinated wheat trials. 

“He was also based in Wagga Wagga where he was responsible for the field operations and disease screening for barley evaluation trials, and worked in canola and lupin breeding programs and has experience in pasture and animal production.” 

Rick has undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in agriculture, and holds a Master of Applied Science degree from Charles Sturt University. 

“I am very excited to be working with the Central West farming community, I’m committed to maximising opportunities for local farmers through research to ensure we achieve productive and sustainable cropping systems, and we deliver relevant services to our stakeholders,” Mr Graham said.   

“Throughout my career I have established good partnerships with a number of public and private research organisations and I plan to build on these to drive cooperative research into the future. 

“I look forward to building on the important work of Dr Neil Fettell, who has retired, and maintaining the profile of the Condobolin ARAS at a national level. 

“There is some great work being carried out at Condobolin including research into crop water use efficiency, crop sequencing, development of variety specific agronomy packages and new varieties.”

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