Scientist wins 2007 Farrer Memorial Medal
Farrer Memorial Trust Chairman, Barry Buffier, today announced well known wheat cropping scientist Dr Tony Fischer as the winner of the 2007 Farrer Memorial medal.
Currently an Honorary Fellow with CSIRO’s Division of Plant Industry, Dr Fischer’s award recognises his outstanding contribution to agricultural research in Australia, and in particular, his worldwide renowned work in cropping physiology.
Mr Buffier said Dr Fischer was regarded as the pre-eminent Australian crop physiologist of his generation.
“His global reputation arises from his personal research record, time as leader of the wheat program at the International Centre for the Improvement of Maize and Wheat and his recent period as an influential research manager at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR),” Mr Buffier said.
“His main interest throughout his career has been the wheat yield under both dry and well watered conditions, with the goal of applying physiological knowledge to wheat improvement through breeding and agronomy.
“Dr Fischer has published more than 120 scientific publications, including several papers drawing on data from his own property in southern NSW where he kept crop, soil and climatic records for more than 40 years.”
Dr Fischer graduated in Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne in 1960, and completed a Ph D in Plant Physiology from the University of California, Davis, in 1967.
He has carried out research on wheat crop agronomy, physiology and breeding, both in Australia (NSW Department of Agriculture 1961-64, Australian National University 1968-70, and CSIRO Plant Industry 1975-88) and in Mexico (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) 1970-75, 88-95).
Mr Buffier said Dr Fischer would receive the Farrer Memorial Medal in Canberra on 14 August at a ceremony being held to coincide with the Crawford Fund 2007 Conference, when he would also be invited to give the 2007 Farrer Memorial Oration.
The Farrer Memorial Medal was established in 1911 to perpetuate the memory of William Farrer and to encourage and inspire agricultural scientists.
The medal is awarded annually to a person who has provided distinguished service in agricultural science in the areas of research, education, extension or administration.