Dr Rhiannon Schilling

Program Leader - Agronomy

8429 2926

0431 469 200

rhiannon.schilling@sa.gov.au

Raised on a mixed cropping and livestock property in the state’s Upper South East, Rhiannon is an agricultural scientist based at the Waite campus in the School of Agriculture, Food & Wine at The University of Adelaide. Rhiannon was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Sciences in 2014. Her multi-disciplinary research expertise involves plant physiology and nutrition, molecular biology, soil science and remote sensing technologies.

At the forefront of a continually changing industry, Rhiannon is involved in various research projects funded by the Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT) and the Australian Government. Her primary research focuses on pyramid tolerance to multiple subsoil constraints into wheat to develop new pre-breeding lines with improved root growth in sodic soils with controlled greenhouse experiments and field trials throughout Australia.

Rhiannon contributes to research on dryland salinity, saline seeps and acid soils in SA using remotely piloted aircraft fitted with various sensors to assess the performance of wheat varieties non-destructively.

As an Ex-officio member of the Board, Rhiannon is a direct link between Ag Bureau members and agricultural researchers at The University of Adelaide. She encourages members to contact her if they would like to discuss the latest research findings or help guide future agricultural research to ensure it remains relevant and useful.

Tim Herrmann

Team Leader, Sustainable Soils, Department for Environment and Water 

8207 7734

0407 953 274

tim.herrmann@sa.gov.au

Tim has worked in soil, land management, Landcare and natural resources management for more than 35 years. He currently leads the Sustainable Soils team in the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). The team is responsible for leading and developing strategies and projects that improve the health and sustainable management of soils in both the agricultural and broader landscape.

Key programs include soil protection, managing soil acidity, soil carbon and landscape productivity. The programs are delivered through partnerships with the agricultural industry, Landscape SA regions, grower groups, research Institutions, and other agencies.

Tim has represented DEW as an Ex-officio member of the Agricultural Bureau Board since 2014. He says DEW values the partnership with the Agricultural Bureau of SA and their shared common goal to improve the sustainability of our natural resources and farming systems.

Brian Hughes

Senior Soil and Land Management Consultant

8568 6411

0429 691 468

brian.hughes@sa.gov.au

Brian is a Soil and Land Management Consultant who works out of PIRSA’s  Nuriootpa Research Centre on a range of soil and sustainable agriculture-related projects. He is part of a sustainable agriculture team in PIRSA  with regional staff across South Australia. An Ag Bureau ex-officio member, Brian connects with PIRSA staff where relevant issues are raised. He also coordinates and supports a range of partnership projects developed with the Ag Bureau and its branches to improve the production or sustainability of farming enterprises.

Run by farmers for farmers, Brian believes the Ag Bureau is an excellent way for farmers to improve their knowledge and skills with credible and local groups focusing on agricultural issues and farm improvement.

Brett Smith

Chief Executive Officer

0412 630 015

b.smith@ruralbusinesssupport.org.au

Brett Smith is the CE of Rural Business Support. Brett Smith’s extensive agribusiness experience nationally has helped Rural Business Support (RBS) to diversify its brand through the development and delivery of new programs and services to build a strong and resilient agricultural sector.

Helping small rural and regional businesses be better equipped to withstand natural disasters, Brett has positioned RBS as a key player in supporting those farming families needing extra assistance through the effective delivery of the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) in SA and NT.

With a passion for agriculture, Brett is an accomplished agribusiness executive with solid marketing and business development credentials, having held key roles with Orica Ltd, Cropcare, Incitec Pivot Ltd, Elders Ltd, and Penrice Ltd. Brett spent 15+ years working ‘on farm’ with primary producers across most sectors, providing technical and agronomic information to improve productivity and profitability.

Brett has a proven history of leading strategic business development, implementation and delivery through aligning internal teams and collaborative stakeholder engagement. Brett’s strong leadership qualities, business acumen, energetic and ethical approach and proven communication style have enabled outstanding service delivery results.

Dr Ashlea Doolette

School of Agriculture, Food & Wine

8313 8107

ashlea.doolette@adelaide.edu.au

Ashlea is a lecturer and researcher in soil science at the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.

Her research interests are in soil and plant nutrition and how nutrients are stored, transformed and cycled in soils and returned to the plant. 

Ashlea is currently working in various systems, e.g. broad acre crops, pastures and vineyards and has spent each year teaching 250 Agriculture and Viticulture students her expertise in soil science.

As an ex-officio member of the Board since 2016, Ashlea is a link between Ag Bureau members and not only the diverse range of agricultural researchers at UoA but also the students who will play an important role in the future of Ag.

Dr Jenna Malone

School of Agriculture, Food & Wine

8313 7303

0439 904 397

jenna.malone@adelaide.edu.au

Jenna is a researcher with the Weed Science Research Group within the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine. The group conducts research in integrated weed management, herbicide resistance, weed ecology and crop-weed interactions in Australian broad-acre farming systems. Jenna’s research focuses on the evolution and biochemical mechanisms of herbicide resistance in weeds and managing these herbicide-resistant weeds in agricultural systems.

The Weed’s Group has a strong relationship with the GRDC, through which they received much of their funding. They also work closely with farming systems groups in the southern and western regions, enabling the rapid transfer of project outputs to growers and advisers.