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Nuffield Scholarship

Valued at $30,000, the scholarships are for those wanting to make positive change in their own businesses, communities and the broader agriculture sector.
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We’re proud to continue supporting the Nuffield Australia Scholarship program which awards primary producers with the opportunity to travel overseas and study an agricultural topic of their choice. 

The value of the Scholarship extends far beyond the completion of the travel and research report, with scholars becoming part of the 460-strong Nuffield alumni in Australia and a group of 1,800 worldwide, which is a network of influential and forward-thinking farmers.

For more information, visit the Nuffield Australia website

2019 Nuffield Scholar - Johanna Tomlinson

Kalgan’s Johanna Tomlinson was named as CBH’s Nuffield Scholar recipient for 2019. Johanna investigated global soil and production management strategies with a focus on how soil acidity has become a significant threat to Western Australia’s broadacre industry.

Together with her husband Wayne, Johanna runs third generation family business, Tomlinson Agricultural, on 4,000 hectares situated on the south coast of Western Australia. The enterprise produces prime lambs, wool, beef and broadacre crops such as barley, wheat, lupins and canola.

Soil health and improving overall grower understanding of soils is a key priority for Johanna, who hopes to assess global soil acidity and management techniques on her scholarship. She will also investigate how different lime sources and supplies are being managed around the world.

"I believe soil acidification is a critical issue for the sector and, quite frankly, a sleeping giant."
Johanna Tomlinson

“Having worked in farming and natural resource management for almost 20 years, I believe soil acidification is a critical issue for the sector and, quite frankly, a sleeping giant. It’s impacting on current production and will have dramatic impacts if a long-term plan is not put in place,” she said.

“Soil acidity is an issue we are working to manage on our own farm, but we also recognise the need for further and continued lime applications around the region to ensure that lime can be applied at the rate required to recover and maintain production capacity. “I see the outcomes of my Nuffield Scholarship being delivered back to our community on the south coast through grower and natural resource management groups. I would also like to see the findings incorporated into current and future work on soil acidity throughout Western Australia.”

In June 2019, Johanna visited China as part of her study program - watch the video below for a brief update. She also intends to travel throughout North and South America and Europe visiting broadacre regions with similar farming systems to understand their soil acidification management techniques.

2017 Nuffield Scholar - Lara Ladyman

Katanning’s Lara Ladyman investigated the ‘Future of Food’, from the lab to the paddock to the plate, which she says is about the technologies or drivers of change that will shape how, and what, we will be farming and eating in the future. Lara is interested in understanding the dramatic changes that are predicted to occur throughout the food production chain over the next two decades, and what that will mean for farmers in an increasingly digital world.

About Lara

Lara is a director of her family’s farming business, Tennisdale Grazing, a 5680-hectare diversified cropping and livestock business, with operations at Katanning and King Lake. She manages the farming business in conjunction with her father, Rob. Lara returned to the farm full time in 2014 after a career in agricultural journalism and still works as a freelance journalist. Her research is relevant in order to prepare for the brave new world which she believes lies ahead for producers. She planned to take a big picture look at evolving technologies, with no holds barred.

“Will we be eating cell cultured meat and 3D printed foods and what will be the future implications for tomorrow’s Aussie farmers,” questions Lara. “If we know what lies ahead, we can be at the forefront of change and not be left by the wayside of future technologies, consumer trends or government mandates."

Lara travelled to the United States, China, Canada, the United Kingdom and European Union. Watch Lara’s presentation below

2014 Nuffield Scholar - Colin de Grussa

Esperance's Colin de Grussa received the 2014 CBH Group Nuffield Scholarship. He researched how farmers across the globe interact with government for the benefit of their industry, investigated the ways primary producers in other nations are engaging with policy makers, and the role of government in the future of agriculture.

Colin also examined the way farmers and agribusinesses interact with consumers. To complete his studies, Colin visited North America, the UK and a range of EU nations, and met with farmers, lobby groups, politicians and advisors. Read Colin's full report here or watch his presentation below.

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