The Nuffield Scholars for 2021 have been announced and will research topics as varied as drought resilience in Merino sheep production to the benefits of raw cheese milk in the dairy industry.
The four scholars selected from NSW make up a national cohort of 20 who will undertake a global study program using a $30,000 bursary, researching their chosen topic across 14 weeks.
The first of NSW's scholars is Andrew Rolfe from Cooma, who supported by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), will research intensive management techniques and models for Merino sheep production, exploring how to develop a productive, sustainable and drought resilient farming system.
Next is Michael Cairns from Robertson, who supported by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF), will research the benefits of raw milk cheese (RMC) production for the dairy industry, investigating best-practice approaches to production and RMC's position within the mature cheese market.
Claire Petterson from Collingullie, supported by Animal Health Australia (AHA) and Plant Health Australia (PHA), will investigate global biosecurity practices that can be implemented in hay production businesses to increase profitability and sustainability for the industry.
And last but not least, Brendan Jarrett, from Cargo, supported by Rabobank, will study the latest innovations and best-practice management systems in the wine industry, to help viticulturalists better adapt to increasing climate variability and market pressures.
What does the Nuffield Scholarship look like in a pandemic?
The Nuffield Scholarship program is usually an international experience, with scholars headed overseas to see what farmers are doing across the world.
However, COVID-19 has thrown a spanner in the works for both the 2020 and newly announced 2021 scholars.
Nuffield Australia chief executive officer Jodie Redcliffe said the scholars would still be travelling internationally, as soon as it was possible.
"The board of Nuffield Australia have committed to the fact that we are an international travel program, so we expect and hope our scholars can travel internationally as soon as possible," Ms Redcliffe said.
"We definitely don't think that will be before the middle of next year and it could be later than that."
In the meantime, the scholars will be part of a series of webinars with Nuffield as they are introduced to the program's global network.
Ms Redcliffe said they are also planning domestic travel once borders are opened up internally.
"This will give us an opportunity to connect our current scholars with our alumnae," Ms Redcliffe said.
"We're really looking forward to going on a bus trip, seeing our alumnae and what they're doing, see what's happening in Australian ag."
Comfortable with change
Despite international travel being delayed for the foreseeable future, applications for the 2021 Nuffield intake were up on the five year average.
"It was interesting to see that, we weren't quite sure what the response would be and we were very clear in communicating what we didn't know about," Ms Redcliffe said.
She said given the times a key criteria for the scholars this year was understanding that change is necessary and being comfortable with that, in both their farming businesses and everyday lives.
"We look for people who want to learn, are curious and are open minded."