Speakers
We have confirmed the following speakers. Check back in for further updates!
Scott Allcott Managing Director, Macadamia Farm Management
Denise Bond Executive Officer, Macadamia Conservation Trust
Denise works with trees and people. After completing her degree in Australian Environmental Studies, she campaigned to protect the Wet Tropics World Heritage Forests in Far North Queensland, then worked with the Forestry Department and Queensland farmers to integrate trees into farms – the right tree, in the right place, for the right reason. For the next 10 years, Denise and her family lived in Nepal, Uganda and Palau working on community forestry projects. As executive officer of the Macadamia Conservation Trust, she works with industry and the wider community to protect wild relatives of the world’s best nut – conserving the source of Australia’s gift to the world.
Dr James Brinkhoff Senior Research Fellow, School of Science and Technology, University of New England
James received a PhD in electronics from Macquarie University in 2005. He then worked on an ARC linkage project, modeling and designing devices for millimeter-wave communications. Among other subsequent positions, he worked with Broadcom for 5 years, designing radio frequency circuits for WiFi chips, some of which were used in high-end smartphones. In 2015, he moved into agriculture research, particularly focusing on wireless sensor networks and remote sensing for irrigation optimisation at Deakin University. He joined UNE in 2019, where he is engaged in applied analytics of remote sensing data for a number of agricultural projects across multiple industries.
Dr James Brinkhoff Senior Research Fellow, School of Science and Technology, University of New England
James received a PhD in electronics from Macquarie University in 2005. He then worked on an ARC linkage project, modeling and designing devices for millimeter-wave communications. Among other subsequent positions, he worked with Broadcom for 5 years, designing radio frequency circuits for WiFi chips, some of which were used in high-end smartphones. In 2015, he moved into agriculture research, particularly focusing on wireless sensor networks and remote sensing for irrigation optimisation at Deakin University. He joined UNE in 2019, where he is engaged in applied analytics of remote sensing data for a number of agricultural projects across multiple industries.
Dr Christopher Carr BioResources Pty Ltd
Dr Christopher Carr is an entomologist who also studies and teaches the ecology of insects. He has a passion for insect conservation and using beneficial insects in agricultural landscapes.
Dr Christopher Carr BioResources Pty Ltd
Dr Christopher Carr is an entomologist who also studies and teaches the ecology of insects. He has a passion for insect conservation and using beneficial insects in agricultural landscapes.
Professor Mark Howden Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University
Professor Mark Howden is an honorary professor at Melbourne University, as well as being a vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a member of the ACT Climate Change Council and a contributor to several major national and international science and policy advisory bodies. Mark has worked in research and science policy roles on climate variability, climate change, innovation and adoption for over 30 years in partnership with many industry, community and policy groups. Issues he has addressed include agriculture and food security, the natural resource base, ecosystems and biodiversity, energy, water and urban systems. He helped develop both the national and international greenhouse gas inventories that are a fundamental part of the Paris Agreement and has assessed sustainable ways to reduce emissions. Since 1992, he has been a major contributor to the IPCC, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.
Professor Mark Howden Director, Climate Change Institute, Australian National University
Professor Mark Howden is an honorary professor at Melbourne University, as well as being a vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a member of the ACT Climate Change Council and a contributor to several major national and international science and policy advisory bodies. Mark has worked in research and science policy roles on climate variability, climate change, innovation and adoption for over 30 years in partnership with many industry, community and policy groups. Issues he has addressed include agriculture and food security, the natural resource base, ecosystems and biodiversity, energy, water and urban systems. He helped develop both the national and international greenhouse gas inventories that are a fundamental part of the Paris Agreement and has assessed sustainable ways to reduce emissions. Since 1992, he has been a major contributor to the IPCC, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore.
Richard Llewellyn BioResources Pty Ltd
Richard’s company BioResources Pty Ltd specialises in the development and supply of beneficial insects for crop pests and researching ways to make farms more sustainable by using local biological resources. Richard’s expertise in beneficial insects and insect pest management is the result of years of research and trial. This lifetime commitment was recognised in 2012 when he was awarded the Horticultural Australia Graham Gregory Award. Most macadamia growers would be aware of his work in finding ways to mass rear and supply a beneficial wasp, Trichogramma, to control macadamia nut borer. Since this discovery, BioResources has succeeded in mass rearing the MacTrix wasps which now are widely used in macadamia orchards. The impressive achievement was recognised by a wider audience when it was featured on Professor Brian Cox's Wonders of Life, a documentary series made by the BBC.
Richard Llewellyn BioResources Pty Ltd
Richard’s company BioResources Pty Ltd specialises in the development and supply of beneficial insects for crop pests and researching ways to make farms more sustainable by using local biological resources. Richard’s expertise in beneficial insects and insect pest management is the result of years of research and trial. This lifetime commitment was recognised in 2012 when he was awarded the Horticultural Australia Graham Gregory Award. Most macadamia growers would be aware of his work in finding ways to mass rear and supply a beneficial wasp, Trichogramma, to control macadamia nut borer. Since this discovery, BioResources has succeeded in mass rearing the MacTrix wasps which now are widely used in macadamia orchards. The impressive achievement was recognised by a wider audience when it was featured on Professor Brian Cox's Wonders of Life, a documentary series made by the BBC.
Dr Abigail Makim BioResources Pty Ltd
Dr Abigail Makim is an agroecologist who specialises in working in horticulture crops such as macadamias to blueberries. She is particularly interested in conservation biocontrol, cover cropping, crops for human and animal nutrition, and real-world research for regenerative farming systems. In recent years Abigail has been working with Bioresources Pty Ltd in trials investigating insectaries in the macadamia interrow. She has also worked with Berries Australia on phytonutrients.
Dr Abigail Makim BioResources Pty Ltd
Dr Abigail Makim is an agroecologist who specialises in working in horticulture crops such as macadamias to blueberries. She is particularly interested in conservation biocontrol, cover cropping, crops for human and animal nutrition, and real-world research for regenerative farming systems. In recent years Abigail has been working with Bioresources Pty Ltd in trials investigating insectaries in the macadamia interrow. She has also worked with Berries Australia on phytonutrients.
Dr Daniel Manson
Dr Daniel Manson is a Bundaberg-based macadamia productivity consultant and researcher specialising in irrigation management and physiology. Daniel has extensive experience in forestry management across Asia and Australia and has conducted research into commercial irrigation management in low rainfall situations for a variety of crops. He currently manages several macadamia irrigation trials in central Queensland.
Dr Daniel Manson
Dr Daniel Manson is a Bundaberg-based macadamia productivity consultant and researcher specialising in irrigation management and physiology. Daniel has extensive experience in forestry management across Asia and Australia and has conducted research into commercial irrigation management in low rainfall situations for a variety of crops. He currently manages several macadamia irrigation trials in central Queensland.
Dr Rohan Orford
Grower Liaison Officer, Macadamias Australia
Dr Rohan Orford recently joined Macadamias Australia as a grower liaison officer. Rohan previously worked as a technical advisor for a South African macadamia processing cooperative, Mayo Macs, where he was responsible for enhancing the performance and sustainability of 150 growers representing about 6000 ha of planted trees. During his four years with Mayo Macs, Rohan especially enjoyed sharing new insights derived from modelling various facets of the industry, such as simulating farm budget and pricing scenarios and using a yield projection model to benchmark growers. In his new role with Macadamias Australia, he is looking forward to fostering innovation and sharing new insights and ideas to benefit their growers. Rohan has a special interest in the agroecological sphere of agriculture and has a PhD in modelling water use in sustainable dryland agroecological systems. This was in collaboration with the University of Hohenheim in Germany and the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Dr Rohan Orford Grower Liaison Officer, Macadamias Australia
Dr Rohan Orford recently joined Macadamias Australia as a grower liaison officer. Rohan previously worked as a technical advisor for a South African macadamia processing cooperative, Mayo Macs, where he was responsible for enhancing the performance and sustainability of 150 growers representing about 6000 ha of planted trees. During his four years with Mayo Macs, Rohan especially enjoyed sharing new insights derived from modelling various facets of the industry, such as simulating farm budget and pricing scenarios and using a yield projection model to benchmark growers. In his new role with Macadamias Australia, he is looking forward to fostering innovation and sharing new insights and ideas to benefit their growers. Rohan has a special interest in the agroecological sphere of agriculture and has a PhD in modelling water use in sustainable dryland agroecological systems. This was in collaboration with the University of Hohenheim in Germany and the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Myles Osborn South African macadamia grower & SAMAC Director
Myles holds a B. Com Hons in Finance from the University of Natal. Myles started his career at Goldman Sachs in London where he held a number of roles over 5 years, ending as a Currency Trader for a team managing over $15 billion in assets. He then joined South African Sugar Association in 2008 as the Export Trading Manager, responsible for the hedge book, physical marketing and logistics of the entire South African bulk sugar exports. In 2012, Myles joined the family farming business which he has continued to develop extensively whilst ensuring that the business partakes in the whole value chain in all their agricultural products, by forming multiple marketing companies. Myles sits on numerous boards and in 2018 Myles was voted onto the South African Macadamia Association Board as the Commercial director.
Myles Osborn South African macadamia grower & SAMAC Director
Myles holds a B. Com Hons in Finance from the University of Natal. Myles started his career at Goldman Sachs in London where he held a number of roles over 5 years, ending as a Currency Trader for a team managing over $15 billion in assets. He then joined South African Sugar Association in 2008 as the Export Trading Manager, responsible for the hedge book, physical marketing and logistics of the entire South African bulk sugar exports. In 2012, Myles joined the family farming business which he has continued to develop extensively whilst ensuring that the business partakes in the whole value chain in all their agricultural products, by forming multiple marketing companies. Myles sits on numerous boards and in 2018 Myles was voted onto the South African Macadamia Association Board as the Commercial director.
Professor Andrew Robson Director of Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre & Precision Agriculture Research Group, University of New England
Professor Andrew Robson’s agricultural science career extends over 20 years in which time he has developed a thorough understanding of remote sensing technologies and analytics and engaged with industry to ensure the research and development adheres to specific needs. In 2012, Andrew joined the University of New England and, with his team, undertakes applied remote sensing research in agriculture and horticulture. In 2013, he brought together a multidisciplinary team that mapped all commercial avocado, mango and macadamia orchards across Australia to assist with biosecurity response and natural disaster monitoring. The project also evaluated remote sensing and robotic platforms to identify those best suited for improving on-farm management. Andrew has just established the Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, which will build on the national collaborative network and provide industries with a trusted gateway to remote sensing technologies and analytics, offer education and training in applied agricultural remote sensing and continue to bridge the gap between industry, research and commercialisation.
Professor Andrew Robson Director of Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre & Precision Agriculture Research Group, University of New England
Professor Andrew Robson’s agricultural science career extends over 20 years in which time he has developed a thorough understanding of remote sensing technologies and analytics and engaged with industry to ensure the research and development adheres to specific needs. In 2012, Andrew joined the University of New England and, with his team, undertakes applied remote sensing research in agriculture and horticulture. In 2013, he brought together a multidisciplinary team that mapped all commercial avocado, mango and macadamia orchards across Australia to assist with biosecurity response and natural disaster monitoring. The project also evaluated remote sensing and robotic platforms to identify those best suited for improving on-farm management. Andrew has just established the Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, which will build on the national collaborative network and provide industries with a trusted gateway to remote sensing technologies and analytics, offer education and training in applied agricultural remote sensing and continue to bridge the gap between industry, research and commercialisation.
Michael Russo Queensland macadamia and cane grower, AMS Director
Michael Russo is a fourth generation farmer and, with his family, operates a cane and macadamia farm at Farnsfield, near Childers in Queensland. The Russo family diversified into macadamias in 2015 and have now planted close to 200 ha of trees. They are well known for their innovation and ability to combine trial work with the latest in yield monitoring technology to determine the optimum inputs for their farm. Michael is passionate about the need to build pathways for young people to enter the macadamia industry and is an advocate for providing guidance for growers so they can take advantage of current great prices through higher yields and reduced production losses. Michael was elected to the AMS Board in 2019.
Michael Russo Queensland macadamia and cane grower, AMS Director
Michael Russo is a fourth generation farmer and, with his family, operates a cane and macadamia farm at Farnsfield, near Childers in Queensland. The Russo family diversified into macadamias in 2015 and have now planted close to 200 ha of trees. They are well known for their innovation and ability to combine trial work with the latest in yield monitoring technology to determine the optimum inputs for their farm. Michael is passionate about the need to build pathways for young people to enter the macadamia industry and is an advocate for providing guidance for growers so they can take advantage of current great prices through higher yields and reduced production losses. Michael was elected to the AMS Board in 2019.
Dr Chris Searle Director, MacAvo Consulting
Dr Chris Searle is an independent horticultural consultant who has been providing advice to the macadamia and avocado industries around the world for two decades. Chris has an extensive background in tree crop research and has worked in key roles at Australia’s premier research institutions, including CSIRO, University of Queensland and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland, as well as at some of the world’s largest macadamia processing businesses where he provided practical, on-farm assistance to macadamia growers. He has a special interest in nursery and orchard establishment and optimisation and is committed to helping growers and investors increase their productivity and profitability using the latest on-farm innovation and technology. He regularly tours the top-producing macadamia orchards of Australia, South Africa and China and has extensive knowledge of Australia’s new and evolving macadamia growing regions, particularly in Queensland.
Dr Chris Searle Director, MacAvo Consulting
Dr Chris Searle is an independent horticultural consultant who has been providing advice to the macadamia and avocado industries around the world for two decades. Chris has an extensive background in tree crop research and has worked in key roles at Australia’s premier research institutions, including CSIRO, University of Queensland and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland, as well as at some of the world’s largest macadamia processing businesses where he provided practical, on-farm assistance to macadamia growers. He has a special interest in nursery and orchard establishment and optimisation and is committed to helping growers and investors increase their productivity and profitability using the latest on-farm innovation and technology. He regularly tours the top-producing macadamia orchards of Australia, South Africa and China and has extensive knowledge of Australia’s new and evolving macadamia growing regions, particularly in Queensland.
Craig Shephard Senior Researcher, Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, School of Science and Technology, University of New England
Craig Shephard led the Queensland Land Use Mapping Program, within the Department of Environment and Science. He has 20 years professional experience in the mapping of landscape attributes - particularly land cover and land use. Prior to that Craig spent two years mapping crime in London, United Kingdom. Craig holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science and Geography from Macquarie University, and is particularly focused on the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to natural resource management. Working within the Joint Remote Sensing Research Program, Craig collaborates with numerous project partners, stakeholders and industries to map horticulture tree crops around Australia.
Craig Shephard Senior Researcher, Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre, School of Science and Technology, University of New England
Craig Shephard led the Queensland Land Use Mapping Program, within the Department of Environment and Science. He has 20 years professional experience in the mapping of landscape attributes - particularly land cover and land use. Prior to that Craig spent two years mapping crime in London, United Kingdom. Craig holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science and Geography from Macquarie University, and is particularly focused on the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to natural resource management. Working within the Joint Remote Sensing Research Program, Craig collaborates with numerous project partners, stakeholders and industries to map horticulture tree crops around Australia.
Dr Russ Stephenson
Dr Russ Stephenson has been involved in horticulture and the macadamia industry for 34 years. In this time he has worked in research, academia and industry extension specialising in R&D and cultural management of macadamia and has published more than 50 scientific papers. For much of his career he worked at the Maroochy Horticultural Research Station, where he was a senior principal horticulturist. Russ has also been involved promoting macadamia production in countries such as Fiji, Hawaii, South Africa and Malawi. The aim of his research, which has included a focus on physiology, nutrition, water relations, flowering and fruit development, always has been to achieve higher yields of high quality macadamias.Professor Stephen Trueman Professor of Plant Science, Food Futures Forum, Griffith University
Dr Lukas Van Zwieten Senior Principal Research Scientist, Soils, NSW DPI, & Director, Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute
Dr Lukas Van Zwieten is the Director of Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute and is a senior principal research scientist with NSW Department of Primary Industries. His research focuses on unravelling microbial and chemical processes in the rhizosphere and how these relate to resilience against stress factors, nutrient availability and carbon storage, as well as on herbicide behaviour in soil and potential unforeseen challenges for cropping under a drying environment. Lukas also is a program leader for the Soils Cooperative Research Centre, where he coordinates a national program of field sites to deliver integrated solutions for under performing and constrained soils. He is an adjunct professor with Southern Cross University and Griffith University and has published over 120 journal papers.
Professor Helen Wallace Professor of Agricultural Ecology and Coordinator of the Food Futures Platform, Griffith University
Professor Helen Wallace has been a macadamia researcher since the “dark ages” (before there was email, internet and mobile phones). She is an international expert on fruit and nut crops and has published extensively on pollination and post-harvest issues in macadamia. She has established new nut industries in three countries and currently leads a funding portfolio of around $6 million in international projects on fruit and nuts crops, post-harvest processing and bees. She has written almost 100 scientific articles, mostly on nuts and bees, and has served on numerous government advisory committees (including Australian Research Council panels), in recognition of her expertise in tree crops.
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