NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Southern Cropping director, Deb Slinger, has congratulated Janelle Jenkins and Craig Whiting for their appointments to lead cropping research in southern NSW.
“Farmers in NSW’s southern cropping region are set to benefit from the research and development activities Ms Jenkins and Mr Whiting will help deliver as leaders of our southern cropping team,” Ms Slinger said.
“Based at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute (WWAI), they will play leading roles in driving NSW DPI’s collaboration with the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation.
“As leader of crop genetics, Craig’s focus will be on projects in Wagga Wagga, Yanco and Condobolin.
“NSW DPI research teams will benefit from Craig’s diverse experience as they explore pre-breeding projects, germplasm development, low rainfall agronomy for southern farming systems and cotton production.
“In her role leading agronomy and crop protection research, Janelle will support a team of pathology and entomology researchers and research agronomists at WWAI who are investigating production solutions for cereal, oil seed and pulse producers.
“Time of sowing, crop variety selection, the investigation of disease impacts and vectors in southern cereal and pulse crops will be a focus for these research teams.”
Both leaders have a strong agricultural background with broad industry experience, which will positively contribute to their new roles with NSW DPI.
Ms Jenkins brings 23 years of experience in agricultural research and development to her new position, including roles with NSW DPI in southern and central areas of the state, Riverina Local Land Services and the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority.
Southern cropping is set to benefit from Mr Whiting’s knowledge and skills developed over the years in managing agribusinesses, product research, development and commercialisation of agricultural chemicals and animal health products and working for farming operations across NSW and in the United Kingdom.
Mr Whiting and Ms Jenkins are Charles Sturt University alumni, earning their degrees in agricultural science from CSU’s Wagga Wagga campus.
