A group of University of Queensland academics have been recognised for their achievements with two awards at the AgForce Queensland-AWB Limited 2004 Innovation in Grains Awards.
Nicholas Woods, Director of the Centre for Pesticide Application & Safety (CPAS), won the Rabobank Environment award while the Agribusiness Price Risk Management Course developed by Assoc. Professor Tony Dunne, Dr Kim Bryceson and Dr Geoff Slaughter received the Education award.
Each is a member of UQ’s Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science (NRAVS) based at the Gatton campus.
Executive Dean of NRAVS Professor Roger Swift said the awards were fitting recognition of the group’s considerable achievements to date and reflected a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement within their respective fields.
Mr Woods led the development of the now-internationally regarded CPAS in the mid-1990s and has played a major personal role in improving pesticide application to reduce environmental impact.
After establishing CPAS, he led the design and establishment of Australia’s only and the world’s most advanced pesticide wind tunnel laboratory in 2000. Last year his team successfully attracted funding from the Australian Research Council to equip the laboratory with advanced laser imaging equipment, allowing advanced research into the physics of pesticide application.
CPAS has generated new products, information packages and techniques for rural industry that have achieved significant improvements in pesticide application and environmental impact.
The Agribusiness Price Risk Management Course addresses a key gap in price risk management education in the Australian grain industry, employing the use of an online trading room using real-time Australian and US market data.
One of a kind in Australia, the course provides a unique opportunity for students and farmers to gain first hand price risk management experience without employing actual financial resources.
The course is available internally for undergraduate Agribusiness Degree students and online for postgraduate students enrolled in the Professional Agribusiness Masters degree. The flexible delivery approach of the online format also allows remote non-award students such as farmers and other professionals involved in grain marketing to take the course as a stand-alone option.
For more information, contact Brad Henderson on (07) 5460 1229 or 0409.265.587.
.jpg)
