Robert Freebairn OAM (WDA, HDRE) has over 40 years experience in NSW Department of Primary Industry and as a private consultant.

Robert's experience in crop, pasture and property management is extensive:

		Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Panel Member (Southern region), 1998 - 2005.
		Awarded OAM, Queens Birthday Honours list June 2003. Award for contribution to Agriculture, including development of more productive and sustainable pastures in NSW, and for fostering the development of the dual purpose winter wheat industry.
		Appointed Regional Director North West New England region, DPI NSW, July 2002. Retired from position December 2005.
		Was awarded a NSW Grasslands study Grant in 1996 to investigate winter legume developments in WA. As a result of this tour seed was obtained of bisurrula and a number of unnamed serradella lines. Seven trials were established across central NSW by myself and colleagues. The end result was the recommendation of biserrula and the naming and release of three new serradella varieties (including King) suitable to NSW.
		Summer perennial grasses such as Consol lovegrass and Premier digit grass have been successfully adopted across northern and central NSW on hundreds of thousands of hectares of light soils. The Coonabarabran DPI team, of which I was the leader, initiated much of the research and extension that resulted in the State success of this program.
		Weekly columnist (Down to Earth) for "The Land" newspaper for the past 24 years (1260 articles covering cropping, pastures, soils, and natural resources management themes).
		Regular contributor to GRDC newspaper "Ground Cover".
		Was a weekly agricultural columnist (Rural Notes) for local district newspapers for 31 years.
		Assessed ACIAR project in Tibet (April 2006). The aid project required advice regarding future changes and management.
		Author, Senior Author, or second author to many (over 120) significant publications, including: Fertiliser - Key to Profitable Livestock Production and Sustainable Pastures Productive Dual Purpose Winter Wheats Light Soils - Managing Them Better Various pasture Agfacts - Yellow Serradella, French Serradella, Slender serradella, Premier Digit Grass, Biserrula, Consol Lovegrass Cereal Trial Results and Recommendations (annual publication) Various papers to GRDC, Farmer and Advisory Updates (e.g. "A Review of cropping problems") Booklets "The Coonabarabran Agronomy District", "Winter Crop Trial Results and Recommendations for the Coming season", and "Pasture Recommendations for the Coonabarabran District" (bi-annual and annual publications)
		Played a significant role in the release of several pasture varieties, including: King Serradella Avila serradella Elgara serradella Dalkeith sub clover
		Soil nutrient deficiency correction programs. Leader for 15 years of a northern/central NSW pasture improvement program that researched soil deficiencies and promoted the adoption of correction programs. Millions of hectares of the state have benefited from this program and have improved in both productivity and sustainability.
		In joint research programs, have in conjunction with farmers and colleagues discovered serradella and biserrula a suitable pasture legumes for light acid soils in eastern Australia. Serradella has been the key to dramatically improve the productivity and sustainability of millions of hectares throughout the State.
		Have contributed and delivered papers to national conferences (eg Australian Agronomy Conference), International Conferences (World Sunflower Congress), State Conferences (eg NSW Grasslands Conference) and many regional and district functions.
		Currently self employed as an agricultural consultant and agricultural journalist.

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