With a background in cropping systems and adoption of agricultural research, Dr Rick Llewellyn is developing strategies for sustainable farming in southern Australia.
Current activities
Dr Llewellyn is contributing to a collaborative research effort between CSIRO and the Mallee Sustainable Farming group.
The project aims to develop precision agriculture and electromagnetic-based mapping for use by grain growers and industry across the South Australian, Victorian and New South Wales mallee regions.
He is also involved in a project developing weed management strategies for cropping regions facing herbicide resistance risks in the Philippines and Australia.
This work is conducted with the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Western Australia.
Other current projects include a national study of no-till cropping practices by grain growers in southern cropping regions of Australia.
Dr Llewellyn maintains an active interest in working with Australian grower groups and has recently joined the management team of the Agricultural Excellence Alliance – a network aimed at providing support to grower-led groups conducting research, development and extension activities in South Australia.
Background
“Sustaining no-till farming systems is critical for making intensive cropping a success in the Mallee.”
Dr Rick Llewellyn, Farming Systems Scientist
Dr Llewellyn joined CSIRO in 2005 as a farming systems scientist at Urrbrae in Adelaide, South Australia.
Prior to joining CSIRO, he spent four years as a lecturer in agricultural systems and extension at the University of Western Australia, Perth. During this period, Dr Llewellyn ran a range of research projects including:
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herbicide resistance management by grain growers
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adoption of no-till farming
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the role of farmer-led groups in the research and extension network.
He led the extension and economics activities of the Western Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative and was on the management committees of two Western Australia-based grower group networks aimed at developing the links between scientists and grower groups.
Academic qualifications
After completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree in 1991, Dr Llewellyn became involved in pasture and crop field research projects at the University of Adelaide, including the development of integrated weed management practices for intensive cropping.
He was a coordinator of farmer groups in South Australia's lower Eyre Peninsula before completing his Doctorate with distinction in 2002 with the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Western Australia, looking at herbicide resistance management by grain growers.
Achievements
Dr Llewellyn has been invited to present his research findings at conferences throughout southern Australia, and also in Africa, Asia and North America.
Until recently, Dr Llewellyn was the chairman of the national Gyphosphate Sustainability Working Group - a cross-industry group aimed at developing strategies for minimising the impact of herbicide resistance on farming systems.
Dr Llewellyn was recognised for Best PhD Research of 2003 by the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
He is a member of:
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the Australian Society of Agronomy
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the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society
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the International Weeds Science Society.
He was recently appointed Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Western Australia.
Find out more about CSIRO's research on Precision Agriculture: profiting from variation.
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