New director brings wealth of experience to Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute

John Oliver has been appointed Industry & Investment NSW's new director at Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute and brings valuable experience to the role, including almost 40 years in the cereal industry.

Mr Oliver said he was looking forward to continuing to raise the profile of the rural community in southern NSW by ensuring that research is undertaken at a level that could be properly integrated into farming practices.

"One of the big challenges now is preparing the farming community for a changing climate," he said.

"I will also be working hard with our key partners such as the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Meat and Livestock Authority, and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, to benefit the broader farming community.

"I also see great value in building research partnerships and alliances, with such bodies as the EH Graham Centre and Charles Sturt University, to broaden our access to technologies and other skills to complement what we deliver to the farming community."

The Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute employs approximately 180 people and occupies 900 hectares of land, 10km north-west of Wagga Wagga. It has an associated research station of 700 hectares at Temora.

Mr Oliver said the Institute was dedicated to improving the profitability and sustainability of agriculture in NSW through industry-driven research, extension and regulatory services.

The Institutes work focuses on cropping and pasture systems in southern NSW and the State's expanding viticulture industry.

Mr Oliver came to the Institute in 1987, as a cereal chemist from N B Love Mills (Vic), a flour mill in North Melbourne. In 1996, he became program leader cereal products in south of the State providing leadership to cereal breeders, researchers and advisory officers.

Before he took on the job as director, Mr Oliver led the Cereal Genetics and Improvement Unit, to underpin the productivity and profitability of the 4200 NSW grain growers, who annually produce 11 million tonnes of cereal grain worth $3.5 billion.

He replaces Alison Bowman, who has been promoted to director Productivity and Food Security Research based at Orange.

Photo available from sarahc@sf.nsw.gov.au