Thursday, 22 July 2021 07:55

New scientific officer named

Written by  Staff Reporters
Dr Will Talbot Dr Will Talbot

Ravensdown has appointed Dr Will Talbot to the newly created position of scientific officer, supporting the chief scientific officer Ants Roberts in an ongoing programme of innovative science and technology projects.

Will brings strong soil knowledge to the innovation challenge from his undergraduate agricultural science and post graduate soil science studies as well as lecturing at Lincoln University in soil erosion, cultivation and physical properties.

It was through Ravensdown's many projects with Lincoln that Will saw first-hand the co-operative's innovative approach to solving production and environmental challenges simultaneously.

"I was really impressed. Here was a company investingin science I loved, to make practical tools that are used by real farmers. I knew I wanted to be part of that."

Will's PhD looked at the effect of pasture types on one of the big farming issues of our time; nitrogen loss. He found that pasture with increased winter growth reduced nitrogen loss.

Roberts said Will's farm-hand experience and pragmatic agricultural and soil science knowledge made him a valuable addition to the company's expanding work on new tools and technology.

"We have ongoing development of existing tools as well as actively investigating new technologies such as precision fertiliser application, remote aerial sensing, novel soil tests, nitrogen and trace element product development, multiple projects in reducing direct fertiliser N and P losses and bio-inoculants.

"Will's addition to the Innovation and Strategy team here at Ravensdown will allow us to accelerate our efforts towards enabling smarter farming for a better New Zealand."

More like this

Ravensdown Named Naming Rights Sponsor of A&P Show

Farmer owned co-operative Ravensdown has signed a two-year naming rights sponsorship of the Canterbury A&P Show.

Featured

Pāmu Opens Farm Gates for Summer Open Farm Days

State farmer Pāmu is opening its farm gates this summer in an effort to give the rural sector the opportunity to see how large-scale, multi-system farming is delivering productivity and profitability across New Zealand.

DairyNZ: Waikato Farmers Need Certainty on PC1 Rules

DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Taking On Winnie

OPINION: No one messes around with Winston Peters, more so in a general election year.

Full of Surprises

OPINION: Staying on Federated Farmers, this week's annual general meeting in Auckland is shaping up to be an interesting one.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter