Research interests

David Hall is the Research Leader for the Plant Health Science (PHS) Unit of NSW DPI. This is a large unit which precludes significant personal project activities.

The Unit’s objectives are to limit the effects of insect pests and diseases, including emergency pest incursions, on the yield and quality of grain, pasture and horticultural crops by providing science based solutions that are economic and environmentally sustainable.

Background

David Hall is Director, Gosford Horticultural Institute (GHI) & Research Leader, Plant Health Sciences (PHS).  

From 1974 to 1996, David conducted research on ruminant nutrition, pasture evaluation, feed supplementation, sheep reproduction and breeding, lamb survival and lamb market development at Wagga Wagga and Cowra.

From 1996 to 2000 he was Director, Orange Agricultural Institute.  He was also involved in meat quality research and co-ordinating research on Ovine Johne’s Disease.

As GHI Director from 2001, he has co-ordinated research and extension activities of local horticultural staff. An associated responsibility is to coordinate research and other services provided to 3000 farmers in the Sydney Region, the majority of whom are of Asian or Middle Eastern backgrounds.

From 2004 David has been Research Leader PHS. This unit consists of 65 staff, who conduct pest and disease research for the grain and horticultural industries. Key objectives include reducing pesticide use and improving environmental performance.

Qualifications

• B.Rur.Sc.
• M.Sc.
• Ph.D.

Current projects

• Chemwise- Sustainable Chemical Use in the Sydney Basin
• Production of high quality export green tea through integrated management
• Improved economic sustainability of Vietnamese vegetable growers in the Sydney Region
• Evaluation of IPM research projects
• Enhanced profitability of selected vegetable value chains in the southern Philippines and Australia

Recent Publications

Brunton VM, and Hall DG (2006) Sustainable Chemical Management in the Sydney Basin, Annual Report to NSW Environment Trust. NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Holst PJ, Hall DG, and Lee GJ (2005) Colostrum production and hormone responses of parturient ewes fed varying amounts and types of supplement. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 45, (10) 1-8.

Hall DG and Inglis L (2005) Final Report. Cambodian Growers Business Development Strategy, DOTARS.

Hall DG, Aditya D, and Howard E (2002) Market Gardening in a Culturally Diverse Society, Report for September 2000 to June 2002, NSW Agriculture

Hall DG, Gilmour AR, Fogarty NM, and Holst PJ (2002) Growth and carcass composition of second cross lambs 2. Relationship between estimated breeding values of sires and their progeny performance under fast and slow growth regimes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 53, 1341-48.

Safari E, Channon HA, Hopkins DL, Hall DG and van de Ven R (2002) A national audit of retail lamb loin quality in Australia. Meat Science 61, 267-273.

Hall DG, Gilmour AR, Fogarty NM, Holst PJ, and Hopkins DL (2001) Growth and carcass composition of second-cross lambs. 1) Effect of sex and growth path on pre- and post- slaughter estimates of carcass composition. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 859-867.

Hopkins DL, Hall DG, Channon HA, and Holst PJ (2001) Meat quality of mixed sex lambs grazing pasture and supplemented with roughage, oats or oats and sunflower meal. Meat Science. 59 (3):277-283.

Eppleston J, Simpson G,  O'Neil S, Thornberry K, Lugton I,  Taylor P, and Hall D (2000) Reported levels of sheep mortalities in flocks infected with Ovine Johne's Disease in New South Wales. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science. 13 Supplement July 2000 C: 247.

Hall DG (2000) Opportunities for Meat from Lambs and Goats in Australia. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science. 13 Supplement July 2000 B: 91-101.

Webster SR, and Hall DG (2000) The Financial Consequences of Ovine Johne's Disease for New South Wales Sheep Producers. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science. 13 Supplement July 2000 A: 465-468.

Professional associations and activities

• Member, Australian Hydroponics and Greenhouse Association

David is a member or Chairman of a number of committees. The roles of these committees include limiting chemical residues in fruit and vegetables, providing communication resources to Asian and Middle East background farmers and limiting the effect of fruit flies and flying foxes. He is also the NSW DPI representative with the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity. David takes a particular interest in methods for evaluating the quality of research outputs and industry programs.

Research Fields, Courses and Disciplines

• 300300 Horticulture
• 300400 Animal Production

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Research Leader 
• Plant Health Sciences 
• Horticulture and Grain 

Contact details