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Dr Lindsay Bell

Farming Systems Scientist

https://people.csiro.au/B/L/Lindsay-Bell

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Contact details:

PO BOX 102
TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350 AUSTRALIA

Biography

Dr Lindsay Bell is a Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO Agriculture and Food based in Toowoomba, Queensland. His research focusses on improving the sustainability, productivity and resilience of farming enterprises through greater integration of crops and livestock and improved crop rotations.

After completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours), at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, he completed a PhD on pasture physiology and ecology at University of Western Australia, Perth. Lindsay then undertook a Postdoctoral research on the potential role for perennial wheat in Australian farming systems. Dr Bell joined CSIRO in Perth in 2006 before moving to Toowoomba in 2007. In 2014, Dr Bell was awarded a prestigious Julius Career award from CSIRO and in 2021 received GRDC's Seed of Light, and the ICM Agrifood Award for Excellence. He was a member of the Dual-purpose canola team awarded CSIRO's Sir Ian McLennan Impact from Science and Engineering Medal in 2021.

Working in farming systems research, Dr Bell deploys a range of disciplines in his research to examine multiple aspects of the production system including economics, natural resource management, social aspects as well as biophysical expertise in soils, plants and animals.

Dr Bell's research has examined the management and benefits of dual-purpose crops, the use of short-term legume forages and other annual forages in crop rotations, the development of simulation models for simulating pastures and crop grazing. He has also worked on and led research for development projects aimed at improving the livelihoods of small-holder crop-livestock farmers in north-west China, eastern Indonesia and Myanmar. Dr Bell current leads a program of research using both experimental and modelling approaches to examine how modifications to farming systems impact on system water-use-efficiency, nutrient-use-efficiency, crop pathogen populations and soil attributes.

Professional Areas

Fields of Research

Current

Current Roles

  • Project Co-leader
    RiskWi$e (GRDC's National Risk Management Initiative)

  • Project Leader
    Northern Farming Systems - integrating research solutions for improving profitability in summer-dominated rainfall systems

  • Project Leader
    Improving the use of forage brassicas in mixed farming systems (MLA Donor Company)

  • Project Supervisor
    Improving APSIM simulation of mungbeans in Australia (GRDC)

  • Research Scientist
    Improving farming systems efficiency in southern NSW (GRDC)

  • Team member
    GHG baseline and mitigation assessment of Australia's grain industry

  • Team member
    Grain and Grazing management guidelines for canola and wheat systems

Academic Qualifications

  • 2006

    Doctor of Philosophy
    University of Western Australia

  • 2001

    Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Plant and Soil)
    University of Queensland

Professional Experiences

  • Mar 2007-Present

    Farming Systems Research Scientist
    CSIRO

  • Sep 2006-Feb 2007

    Research Officer
    CSIRO

  • Jan 2006-Sep 2006

    Research Officer
    School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia

  • Jan 2002-Oct 2005

    Postgraduate Researcher
    School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia

Achievements and Awards

  • 2021-2021

    Sir Ian McLennan Impact from Science and Engineering Medal
    CSIRO

  • 2021-2021

    ICM Agrifood Award
    Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE)

  • 2021-2021

    Seed of Light
    Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

  • 2014-2017

    Julius Career Award
    CSIRO

  • 2011-2011

    Divisional Team Work Award
    CSIRO

  • 2010-2010

    Young Agronomist Award
    Australian Society of Agronomy

  • 2009-2009

    In-service Training Award
    GRDC

  • 2009-2009

    International Travel Award
    Australian Academy of Science

Other highlights

  • 2017

    Visiting scientist at Wageningen University, The Netherlands

  • 2009

    Visiting scientist at Manitoba University, Canada

Community and Corporate Citizenship

  • 2013-2021

    Divisional Consultative Committee

  • 2019-2021

    Secretary of Australian Society of Agronomy

  • 2018-2019

    Science Advisory Group - CSIRO Agriculture and Food

  • 2014-2020

    Scientist in Schools

  • 2016-now

    Associate Editor, African Range and Forage Science Journal

  • 2018-now

    AW Howard Memorial Trust Board & Research Grants Committee

Attachments

Related links

Publications

We have publications by Dr Lindsay Bell